Ink Industry Hopeful, Despite Adversities

The good news

Despite the startling outlook, the packaging ink industry has reasons to be optimistic. According to Jim Coleman, executive director of the North American Printing Ink Manufacturers (NAPIM), while packaging ink volume decreased in 2004 vs. 2003 by more than 2 percent, there was a rebound in the first three-quarters of 2005. "The 1.7 percent nine-month sales volume gain in 2005 vs. 2004 speaks to growth, which is returning to 2003 levels," Coleman said.