Technological advances are forever changing the face of flexographic printing. Demonstrated by key marketplace developments and changing consumer habits, these major trends are detailed in the Smithers Pira market report The Future of Flexographic Printing to 2023. The report delves into the evolving marketplace where innovations in imaging software, platemaking and delivery, substrate and inline press management, and ink formulation are affecting growth throughout the forecast period.

The global flexo print market in 2013 was valued by Smithers Pira at $147 billion. With a forecast for 2.3% CAGR (compound annual growth rate), the resulting global value in 2023 will reach $187 billion. Key to this growth are packaging-related industries including corrugated board packaging, flexible packaging, bags and sacks, and others.

With the increase in population and the growing global middle class, there is a noticeable change in consumer behavior that is driving demand for flexo output in the form of packaging. This demand is creating opportunity for meaningful collaboration between manufacturers as a way to compete with the expanding marketplace. The following chart shows key end-use packaging applications that are shaping the flexo printing landscape.