Top 10 Companies in the Security Ink Industry (2026): Market Leaders Innovating Anti-Counterfeiting Solutions

In Business Insights
February 24, 2026

The Global Security Ink Market was valued at USD 2.80 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 3.99 Billion by 2032, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.3% during the forecast period (2025–2032). This growth is primarily driven by escalating global counterfeiting activities, stringent government regulations for document and product security, and the accelerating adoption of advanced authentication technologies across banking, packaging, and pharmaceutical sectors.

As the battle against forgery intensifies, the focus shifts to the specialized ink manufacturers who are developing sophisticated solutions to protect currency, identity documents, and consumer goods. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Security Ink Industry—a mix of established chemical giants, specialized security firms, and innovative technology providers shaping the future of authentication and brand protection.


🔟 1. SICPA Holding SA

Headquarters: Prilly, Switzerland
Key Offering: Optically Variable Ink (OVI®), Tax Stamp Inks, Banknote Security Features

SICPA is a global leader in security inks and solutions, providing advanced authentication technologies to governments, central banks, and high-security printers worldwide. The company’s proprietary OVI® ink is a benchmark in the industry, known for its color-shifting properties that are extremely difficult to replicate. SICPA’s solutions are integrated into over 80% of the world’s banknotes and numerous secure identity documents.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Development of covert and forensic-level security features

  • Expansion of digital authentication platforms integrated with physical inks

  • Sustainability-focused R&D for eco-friendly ink formulations

Download FREE Sample Report: Security Ink Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. Sun Chemical Corporation

Headquarters: Parsippany, New Jersey, USA
Key Offering: SunSecure® Security Inks, Brand Protection Solutions, Track & Trace Inks

Sun Chemical, a subsidiary of DIC Corporation, is one of the world’s largest producers of printing inks and pigments. Their security ink division offers a comprehensive portfolio of anti-counterfeiting solutions, including UV-visible, thermochromic, and photochromic inks. The company serves diverse industries from currency printing to consumer goods packaging with customized security solutions.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Investment in nanotechnology for enhanced security features

  • Partnerships with brand owners for comprehensive protection programs


8️⃣ 3. Microtrace LLC

Headquarters: Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Key Offering: Microtaggant® Particles, Forensic Markers, Customized Security Inks

Microtrace specializes in microscopic and covert authentication technologies, offering unique solutions that incorporate microscopic particles with unique codes into ink formulations. Their technology provides forensic-level authentication that requires specialized equipment to verify, making it ideal for high-value documents and products where maximum security is essential.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Development of multi-layered authentication systems

  • Customized solutions for pharmaceutical and luxury goods sectors


7️⃣ 4. CTI (Colorcon Total Identity)

Headquarters: Harleysville, Pennsylvania, USA
Key Offering: Pharmaceutical Security Inks, Brand Authentication Solutions

CTI specializes in security solutions for the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries, providing inks that comply with strict regulatory requirements. Their offerings include tamper-evident inks, color-changing formulations, and serialization solutions that help combat drug counterfeiting while ensuring patient safety.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Focus on FDA-compliant security ink formulations

  • Integration with pharmaceutical packaging lines

Download FREE Sample Report: Security Ink Market – View in Detailed Research Report


6️⃣ 5. Gleitsmann Security Inks GmbH

Headquarters: Bremen, Germany
Key Offering: Security Printing Inks, Custom Formulations, Authentication Solutions

Gleitsmann Security Inks is a German specialist in security ink manufacturing with over 70 years of experience. The company provides a wide range of security inks including intaglio, offset, and letterpress formulations for banknotes, passports, and tax stamps. Their expertise in chemical security features makes them a preferred partner for government printing works across Europe and beyond.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Development of environmentally friendly ink formulations

  • Custom color-matching services for specific security applications


5️⃣ 6. Petrel

Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
Key Offering: Kemistry Security Inks, Polymer Substrate Inks, Security Features

Petrel, operating through its Kemistry brand, is a prominent UK-based supplier of security inks and authentication solutions. The company has particular expertise in inks for polymer banknotes, which require specialized formulations for optimal adhesion and durability. Their products are used in currency production and secure documentation across multiple Commonwealth countries.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Specialization in polymer-compatible ink technologies

  • R&D in durable security features for circulating currency


4️⃣ 7. Kao Collins Corporation

Headquarters: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Key Offering: Inkjet Security Inks, Custom Formulations, Coding and Marking Inks

Kao Collins focuses on inkjet printing technologies for security applications, providing specialized inks for variable data printing on secure documents and packaging. Their solutions enable high-speed printing of serial numbers, barcodes, and other security features directly onto products and documents during manufacturing and packaging processes.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Development of fast-drying security inks for industrial printing

  • Custom formulations for specific printer technologies


3️⃣ 8. Cronite

Headquarters: New York, New York, USA
Key Offering: Metallic Security Inks, Specialty Pigments, Authentication Solutions

Cronite specializes in metallic and specialty pigment-based security inks that provide visual authentication features. Their products include metallic inks for currency printing and specialized pigments that create unique visual effects difficult to reproduce. The company serves both government and commercial clients requiring high-visibility security features.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Development of advanced metallic and pearlescent effects

  • Custom pigment development for specific security requirements


2️⃣ 9. Gans Ink & Supply Co.

Headquarters: Los Angeles, California, USA
Key Offering: UV Security Inks, Specialty Printing Inks, Authentication Solutions

Gans Ink & Supply is a major North American ink manufacturer with a growing security ink division. The company provides UV-curable security inks that offer excellent durability and resistance to tampering. Their solutions are used in various applications including secure packaging, labels, and documents where resistance to solvents and abrasion is critical.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Expansion of UV security ink product line

  • Development of inks compatible with digital printing technologies


1️⃣ 10. ANY Security Printing Company

Headquarters: Budapest, Hungary
Key Offering: Comprehensive Security Printing Solutions, Banknote Production

ANY is a Hungarian security printing company with integrated ink manufacturing capabilities. As a state-owned enterprise, it produces Hungary’s banknotes, passports, and other secure documents while also supplying security inks to other government printers. The company’s vertical integration allows for tight control over ink formulation and security feature implementation.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • In-house R&D for proprietary security features

  • Collaboration with European central banks on currency security

Get Full Report Here: Security Ink Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌍 Outlook: The Future of Security Ink Is Smarter and More Integrated

The security ink market is undergoing a significant transformation. While traditional visible security features remain essential, the industry is increasingly focused on developing intelligent, connected solutions that combine physical and digital authentication technologies.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Rapid adoption of nanotechnology for enhanced covert features

  • Integration of security inks with QR codes and digital authentication platforms

  • Growing demand for eco-friendly and sustainable ink formulations

  • Expansion of smart packaging solutions incorporating security inks

Get Full Report Here: Security Ink Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only providing essential anti-counterfeiting solutions—they’re driving the technological evolution of secure authentication in an increasingly digital world.