The printing ink industry in North America is facing unprecedented challenges in raw material feed stocks, supplies, and freight.The combination of the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent winter storms that hit the U.S, have crippled the supply chain for the industry. In Texas alone, the frozen roads and the failing power grid have idled or slowed manufacturing sites and oil production causing spot shortages and jeopardizing ink supplies
Earlier this week, U.S. President Biden ordered a review of US supply chains for advanced batteries, pharmaceuticals, critical minerals, and semiconductors, among others.
Virtually all raw material families for the printing ink industry, including oil, energy curable, solvent, and water-based systems have been greatly impacted. Print equipment suppliers are also under pressure as equipment and parts are often delayed.
NAPIM supports our members, our industry, and our economy. It is respectfully requested that companies and organizations work together to address these challenges and issues until normal production and distribution resume.
The Producer Price Index (PPI) program measures the average change over time in the selling prices received by domestic producers for their output. NAPIM has selected a number of crtical raw materials and services used by the ink industry (e.g. resins, pigments, carbon black, petroleum, trucking, etc.)