Flexographic Printing Machinery Market

The article discusses the increasing demand for flexographic printing machinery worldwide, forecasting a CAGR of +6.6% from 2022 to 2030. It analyzes market performance, consumption trends, production volumes, and export/import statistics for various countries. Key insights include the growth of the market in Uruguay, the Netherlands, and the Philippines, as well as fluctuations in prices and consumption patterns over the years.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for flexographic printing machinery worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to accelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +6.6% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 172K units by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +6.3% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $7.6B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Flexographic Printing Machinery

After two years of decline, consumption of flexographic printing machinery increased by 22% to 104K units in 2022. Over the period under review, consumption enjoyed a pronounced expansion. Over the period under review, global consumption hit record highs at 162K units in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

The global flexographic printing machinery market value expanded remarkably to $4.7B in 2022, growing by 6.1% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Overall, the total consumption indicated a moderate increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +18.9% against 2020 indices. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $5.8B. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the global market failed to regain momentum.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were Uruguay (19K units), the Netherlands (16K units) and the Philippines (15K units), with a combined 48% share of global consumption. Thailand, India, Denmark, the UK, Canada, Japan, China and Tanzania lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 36%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Tanzania (with a CAGR of +96.9%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Uruguay ($1.5B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by India ($576M). It was followed by Thailand.

In Uruguay, the flexographic printing machinery market remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of market growth: India (+25.1% per year) and Thailand (+0.1% per year).

In 2022, the highest levels of flexographic printing machinery per capita consumption was registered in Uruguay (5,497 units per million persons), followed by the Netherlands (915 units per million persons), Denmark (840 units per million persons) and Thailand (145 units per million persons), while the world average per capita consumption of flexographic printing machinery was estimated at 13 units per million persons.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the flexographic printing machinery per capita consumption in Uruguay was relatively modest. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the Netherlands (-3.7% per year) and Denmark (+4.3% per year).

Production

World Production of Flexographic Printing Machinery

After four years of decline, production of flexographic printing machinery increased by 21% to 103K units in 2022. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate a modest expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 205% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak volume of 233K units. From 2018 to 2022, global production growth failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, flexographic printing machinery production totaled $3.9B in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production saw a modest increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 239% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $12.5B. From 2018 to 2022, global production growth remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were the Netherlands (25K units), the UK (24K units) and Uruguay (19K units), with a combined 66% share of global production.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the UK (with a CAGR of +59.5%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Flexographic Printing Machinery

In 2022, overseas purchases of flexographic printing machinery were finally on the rise to reach 46K units after two years of decline. Overall, imports showed prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 157% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports attained the maximum at 97K units in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, flexographic printing machinery imports expanded modestly to $1.1B in 2022. In general, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 9.1% against the previous year. Global imports peaked at $1.2B in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports By Country

The Philippines represented the largest importing country with an import of about 15K units, which finished at 32% of total imports. India (7.7K units) held a 17% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Canada (6.6%) and the Netherlands (6.5%). The following importers - Spain (1.8K units), Tanzania (1.8K units), the UK (1.4K units), South Africa (1.4K units), Italy (1K units), Colombia (1K units) and the United States (1K units) - together made up 20% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by Tanzania (with a CAGR of +96.9%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($164M) constitutes the largest market for imported flexographic printing machinery worldwide, comprising 16% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Italy ($42M), with a 4% share of global imports. It was followed by Canada, with a 2.6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in the United States stood at +1.0%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Italy (+7.4% per year) and Canada (+5.4% per year).

Import Prices By Country

The average flexographic printing machinery import price stood at $22,956 per unit in 2022, with a decrease of -33.9% against the previous year. In general, the import price saw a abrupt setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the average import price increased by 222% against the previous year. Global import price peaked at $85,800 per unit in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($169,629 per unit), while the Philippines ($180 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the UK (+12.8%), while the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Exports

World Exports of Flexographic Printing Machinery

In 2022, shipments abroad of flexographic printing machinery increased by 53% to 45K units, rising for the second year in a row after three years of decline. Overall, exports posted temperate growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 954% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of 167K units. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the global exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, flexographic printing machinery exports stood at $1.2B in 2022. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 12%. The global exports peaked at $1.3B in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports By Country

The UK was the key exporting country with an export of about 20K units, which amounted to 45% of total exports. The Netherlands (12K units) took the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Taiwan (Chinese) (3.2K units) and China (2.2K units). All these countries together took approx. 39% share of total exports. The following exporters - the United States (1,051 units), India (901 units) and Italy (859 units) - each recorded a 6.2% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the UK (with a CAGR of +29.8%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Italy ($157M), China ($100M) and the United States ($74M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, together comprising 28% of global exports. The Netherlands, Taiwan (Chinese), India and the UK lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 13%.

In terms of the main exporting countries, India, with a CAGR of +20.2%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average flexographic printing machinery export price amounted to $26,348 per unit, declining by -34.1% against the previous year. In general, the export price continues to indicate a noticeable slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the average export price increased by 584% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $75,009 per unit. From 2017 to 2022, the average export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($182,857 per unit), while the UK ($806 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by India (+15.6%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform