The Global Water-based Printing Inks Market was valued at USD 3.45 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 5.92 Billion by 2032, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.1% during the forecast period (2025–2032). This growth is being driven by stringent environmental regulations, rising demand for sustainable packaging, and continuous technological advancements across the packaging, publishing, and textile industries.

As the printing sector pivots decisively toward eco-friendly and low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) solutions, the focus intensifies on the leading chemical innovators who are formulating the next generation of inks. In this analysis, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Water-based Printing Inks Industry—a dynamic mix of global chemical giants and specialized manufacturers shaping a cleaner, more sustainable future for print.

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🔟 1. Flint Group

Headquarters: Luxembourg, Luxembourg
Key Offering: Flexographic Inks, Gravure Inks, Sheetfed Inks

Flint Group is a preeminent global supplier of printing inks and consumables, with a robust portfolio of water-based solutions tailored for packaging and print media. The company serves over 180 countries and is renowned for its commitment to sustainability and innovation in ink chemistry.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Development of bio-renewable and compostable ink formulations

• Active member of industry alliances promoting circular economy principles in packaging

• Investment in R&D to reduce the carbon footprint of its entire product lifecycle

Download FREE Sample Report: Water-based Printing Inks Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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9️⃣ 2. Sun Chemical

Headquarters: Parsippany, New Jersey, USA
Key Offering: SunCure Aqua, SunVisto AquaSafe, Flexible Packaging Inks

A subsidiary of DIC Corporation, Sun Chemical is one of the world’s largest producers of printing inks, coatings, and pigments. The company leads the market with high-performance water-based ink systems designed for high-speed flexographic and gravure printing applications.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Pioneering water-based ink technologies for film and foil substrates

• Global sustainability goals focused on waste reduction and resource efficiency

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8️⃣ 3. Siegwerk Druckfarben AG & Co. KGaA

Headquarters: Siegburg, Germany
Key Offering: Siegwerk Safe, ECOPLUS Series, Circular Packaging Inks

Siegwerk is a family-owned company specializing in printing inks for packaging applications. It is a global leader in water-based ink solutions for labels, flexible packaging, and corrugated boards, with a strong emphasis on recyclability and food safety compliance.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Commitment to developing 100% recyclable packaging ink solutions

• Strategic partnerships with brand owners and recyclers to close the loop on packaging materials

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7️⃣ 4. DIC Corporation

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Aqua-Bio Inks, SPACE FIT Series, Aqualess Hybrid

DIC Corporation, the parent company of Sun Chemical, is a comprehensive chemical manufacturer with a significant global footprint in printing inks. Its advanced water-based ink technologies cater to a wide spectrum of printing processes, from publishing to high-barrier packaging.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Integration of sustainable raw materials into core ink formulations

• R&D focus on improving the durability and printability of water-based inks on diverse substrates

Download FREE Sample Report: Water-based Printing Inks Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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6️⃣ 5. Tokyo Printing Ink Mfg. Co. Ltd. (TOYO INK)

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: BIOMATRIX, LIOALPHA, VIVECIA Water-based Inks

TOYO INK is a leading Japanese chemical company with a century-long history in ink manufacturing. The company offers a diverse range of environmentally friendly water-based inks, particularly strong in the Asian market for packaging and industrial printing.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Development of biomass-derived and biodegradable ink systems

• Active participation in green printing standards development across Asia

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5️⃣ 6. Hubergroup Deutschland GmbH

Headquarters: Kirchheim near Munich, Germany
Key Offering: Gecko, Microtex Plus, Novaplast Water-based

Hubergroup is a major European manufacturer of printing inks with a strong focus on innovation and quality. The company provides high-quality water-based inks for flexographic and gravure printing, known for their excellent color strength and fast-drying properties.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Implementation of a comprehensive sustainability program, “The Human & The Environment”

• Investment in production facilities to minimize water and energy consumption

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4️⃣ 7. Sakata INX

Headquarters: Osaka, Japan
Key Offering: Hydrotec, INXEL, Green Inks

Sakata INX is a global ink manufacturer with a significant presence in Asia, the Americas, and Europe. The company is at the forefront of developing water-based and energy-curable inks that meet stringent environmental and safety standards for food packaging.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Focus on reducing VOC emissions across its product portfolio

• Development of deinkable and repulpable water-based ink systems

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3️⃣ 8. Altana AG

Headquarters: Wesel, Germany
Key Offering: ECKART Effect Pigments, BYK Additives for Water-based Systems

While not exclusively an ink manufacturer, Altana’s specialty chemicals divisions (ECKART and BYK) are critical enablers for the water-based inks market. They supply high-performance effect pigments and additives that enhance the functionality and sustainability of water-based formulations.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Development of sustainable pigment solutions with improved eco-toxicological profiles

• R&D into additives that improve the application properties and durability of water-based inks

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2️⃣ 9. Wikoff Color Corporation

Headquarters: Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
Key Offering: Flexo, Gravure, Screen Printing Inks

Wikoff Color is a leading North American manufacturer of liquid and paste inks. The company is recognized for its customer-focused approach and robust water-based ink offerings, particularly for the corrugated packaging and narrow web label markets.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Commitment to formulating inks with low environmental impact

• Emphasis on creating inks that facilitate the recycling of printed substrates

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1️⃣ 10. Zeller+Gmelin GmbH & Co. KG

Headquarters: Eislingen, Germany
Key Offering: UNICO Water-based Inks, FlexoStar, Gmund Collection

Zeller+Gmelin is a German chemical company specializing in lubricants, coatings, and printing inks. Its water-based ink division provides innovative solutions for the packaging industry, focusing on high-quality prints with minimal environmental impact.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Focus on developing inks compatible with compostable and biodegradable packaging

• Implementation of energy-efficient manufacturing processes

Get Full Report Here: Water-based Printing Inks Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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🌍 Outlook: The Future of Printing Is Water-based and Sustainable

The water-based printing inks market is undergoing a profound transformation. While solvent-based inks still hold significant market share in certain applications, the industry is channeling substantial investment into high-performance, sustainable alternatives, bio-based chemistries, and digital printing integration.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

• Accelerated adoption of bio-based and compostable ink formulations in the EU and North America

• Regulatory push for extended producer responsibility (EPR) and circular packaging, demanding compatible inks

• Integration of digital printing technologies with advanced water-based inkjet inks for customization

• Brand owner and converter partnerships to establish closed-loop recycling systems for printed materials

Get Full Report Here: Water-based Printing Inks Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies profiled above are not merely supplying inks; they are enabling the sustainable transformation of the global printing and packaging industries.