Ink Industry Hopeful, Despite Adversities

At the root of this problem is the escalating cost of raw materials used to make inks. In the recent past, ink manufacturers were able to absorb the price increases. However, today, ink makers aren't so lucky.

The bad news

The price of petroleum, natural gas, and acrylic acid—three ingredients that make up many feedstocks used in the production of inks—continues to rise and Mother Nature isn't helping. Oil and natural gas prices were upward bound before hurricanes Katrina and Rita rocked the Gulf of Mexico and shut down production facilities this past summer. Since then, prices have been further affected by lost production.