Eco-friendly Inks Market Report 2026

The eco-friendly inks market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $4.39 billion in 2025 to $4.67 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to environmental printing regulations, packaging industry growth, reduction of petroleum inks, corporate sustainability goals, print quality improvements.

The eco-friendly inks market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $5.99 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.4%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to circular economy initiatives, biodegradable packaging demand, green labeling requirements, cosmetic packaging growth, digital printing expansion. Major trends in the forecast period include growing adoption of vegetable and soy based inks, rising demand from sustainable packaging, expansion of low voc printing solutions, increased use in food safe applications, innovation in bio pigment technologies.

The growth of the textile industry is expected to drive the expansion of the eco-friendly inks market. The textile industry involves the production of fibers, yarns, fabrics, and finished goods such as clothing and household textiles, with processes including spinning, weaving, and dyeing. The industry is expanding due to factors such as increasing global demand for clothing, innovations in sustainable materials, and advancements in production technologies. Eco-friendly inks benefit the textile sector by reducing environmental impact, minimizing water and energy usage, and meeting consumer demand for sustainable products, all while ensuring high-quality prints. For instance, in December 2023, the Textile Exchange, a US-based non-profit organization, reported that global fiber production rose from 112 million tonnes in 2021 to 116 million tonnes in 2022, with projections of reaching 147 million tonnes by 2030. As a result, the textile industry's expansion is fueling the growth of the eco-friendly inks market.

Major companies in the eco-friendly inks market are focusing on developing advanced solutions, such as NC-free surface printing inks, to improve print quality, mechanical stability, and recyclability of packaging materials. NC-free surface printing inks are formulated without conventional nitrocellulose, addressing recycling challenges while maintaining high-quality printing performance. For example, in February 2025, Siegwerk, a Germany-based company, launched its first NC-free ink series for surface printing on polyethylene and polypropylene packaging. These new inks support both flexo and gravure printing, comply with RecyClass and CEFLEX guidelines, and are available as ready-to-use inks or masterbatch systems. Designed to integrate into Siegwerk’s flexible packaging toolkit, including lamination inks, these solutions enable printers and converters to meet the growing demand for sustainable packaging without compromising performance, thereby supporting the circular economy and enhancing recyclate quality.

In April 2023, Precision Ink Corp., a US-based printing services company, acquired Gans Ink's Energy Curable, Security, and Sublimation divisions for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition is expected to enhance Precision Ink's product offerings and expand its presence in specialized ink segments. Gans Ink is a US-based company that provides printing ink products and solutions.

Major companies operating in the eco-friendly inks market are Sun Chemical, DIC Corporation, Flint Group, INX International Ink Co., Siegwerk Druckfarben AG & Co. KGaA, T&K TOKA Corporation, Wikoff Color Corporation, Marabu Printing Inks, Zeller+Gmelin GmbH & Co. KG, Kao Collins Corporation, Royal Dutch Printing Ink Factories Van Son, STS Inks, Toyo Ink, Kwang Myung Ink Co. Ltd, Magna Colours Ltd., EPTANOVA, Huber Group, Hubergroup India Pvt. Ltd., Tintenfabrik G. H. Seelig GmbH, Printcolor GmbH, Colorcon GmbH, Colorifix Ltd.

North America was the largest region in the eco-friendly inks market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the eco-friendly inks market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the eco-friendly inks market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The eco-friendly inks market consists of sales of vegetable oil-based inks, algae-based inks, and aqueous-based inks. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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