Flexographic Printing Machine Market Analysis Europe, North America, APAC, South America, Middle East and Africa - US, China, Japan, Germany, France - Size and Forecast 2024-2028

Flexographic Printing Machine Market Forecast 2024-2028

The flexographic printing machine market size is forecast to increase by USD 591.49 million at a CAGR of 6.33% between 2023 and 2028. The market's growth trajectory hinges on several critical factors, notably the substantial demand surge from the packaging industry. This surge is fueled by the growing recognition of the advantages linked with flexographic printing, including cost-effectiveness, speed, and quality. Additionally, there's a noticeable uptick in the preference for visually appealing and innovative packaging solutions among consumers and businesses alike. This trend is reshaping the market landscape by driving manufacturers to focus more on creativity and sustainability. As a result, companies are investing heavily in advanced technologies and materials to meet the evolving needs of the market and maintain a competitive edge. Our report examines historic data from 2018 - 2022, besides analyzing the current and forecasts market scenario.

Moreover, the market in Europe is being driven by a significant uptick in the production and consumption of flexible packaging across key countries like France, the UK, and Germany. Barry Wehmiller Group Inc. is a notable provider of flexographic printing machines, enabling the printing of labels and packaging on various materials such as films, foils, papers, corrugated boards, and paperboards at high volumes. Similarly, BFM Srl offers advanced flexographic printing machines like the SIRIO 6 COLORS model, specifically designed for medium to long runs. This machine is adept at printing on diverse materials like polyvinyl chloride film or tubular materials, equipped with video cameras for precise printing process control.

Market Forecasting and Size

Market  Forecast 2024-2028

To learn more about this report,  Request Free Sample

Market Dynamics

The market is driven by the demand for versatility and ease of operation in printing. Flexible photopolymer printing plates and advanced machinery enable efficient printing on various surfaces with water-based and oil-based inks. Trends include computer-to-plate processes for faster turnaround and flat-top dots for improved print consistency. However, challenges such as prepress times and offset litho competition remain, highlighting the need for continuous innovation to maintain speed and overall quality in printing runs on substrates like label paper and extensible plastic film. Our researchers studied the market research and growth data for years, with 2023 as the base year and 2023 as the estimated year, and presented the key drivers, trends, and challenges for the market.

Key Market Driver - High demand volumes from packaging industry

The growth of the packaging industry contributes to the increase in demand for flexible packaging owing to the thriving consumer goods industry and technological advances, including AptarGroups patented VersaPouch closure that features a flip-cap, a built-in pull ring, and an anti-spill SimpliSqueeze valve. In addition, the growth of the global packaging industry has had a significant impact on the development and expansion of the global market.

Moreover, the food and beverage industry is estimated to be the largest end-user of the machines and a major growth contributor owing to the rising demand for packaged foods, packed beverages, and frozen foods. In addition, the growing population, coupled with the rising demand for consumer goods and the increase in disposable income in developing countries such as India, Brazil, and China. Hence, such factors are driving the market during the forecast period.

Significant Market Trends - Increasing demand for flexo-digital hybrid label printing solutions

Digital printing excels at variable data printing, enabling the customization of labels with unique information, including barcodes, QR codes, or serialized data. In addition, this is particularly valuable for industries such as pharmaceuticals, logistics, and personalized packaging. Furthermore, flexo-digital hybrid systems enable cost-effective short-run printing, as digital printing excels in handling smaller quantities with quick setup times.

Moreover, this is beneficial for label converters dealing with various SKUs, seasonal promotions, or limited edition products. In addition, flexo-digital hybrid systems provide a cost-effective solution, allowing converters to capitalize on the benefits of both technologies without the need for separate printing presses. Furthermore, this can be particularly attractive for label converters looking to invest in a versatile and future-proof solution. Hence, such factors are driving the market during the forecast period.

Major Market Challenge - Availability of substitutes for flexographic printing machines

Several products, including digital printing machines, are substitutes for flexographic printing machines. In addition, digital printing has become a major printing technology. Furthermore, the use of digital printing allows printing companies to eliminate the need for expensive printing plates. Therefore, the operations of such companies are simplified, and the production of small runs becomes less expensive.

Moreover, digital printing allows operators to alter label designs without the need for new printing plates. In addition, the data for digital printing is in digital form, which eliminates the need for more resources to produce different versions of the same label. Furthermore, digital printing offers high resolution, even for minute details and small prints. It also provides good clarity and crisp labels with photographic-quality imagery. Hence, such factors are hindering the market during the forecast period.

Market Segmentation by Application, Product, and Geography

The market is a dynamic segment within the printing industry, driven by cutting-edge technologies and versatile solutions. Flexo presses are at the core of this market, leveraging flexible photopolymer printing plates to cater to a wide range of surfaces, including plastics, paper, and metallic films. These flexographic printing machinery units are equipped with relief plates, often made of rubber or photopolymer, and utilize four rollers - ink roller, meter roller, plate cylinder, and impression cylinder - along with an anilox roller for precise ink transfer. The market's focus on ease of operation and versatility makes it suitable for various printing runs, especially on substrates like label paper and extensible plastic film. It accommodates different types of inks, such as water-based inks and oil-based inks, and adopts computer-to-plate processes to streamline prepress times compared to traditional offset lithography. Features like flat-top dots enhance print consistency and overall quality, meeting the stringent demands of industries requiring high-quality prints.

Application Segment Analysis:

The flexible packaging segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period. The market for the packaging industry is principally fuelled by the growing popularity of flexible packaging. In addition, flexible packaging is a container or package made of flexible or easily yielding materials that can readily change shape. In addition, flexible packaging can be made of foil, paper, plastic film, or a combination of any of these materials, making it easily recyclable.

Customised Report as per your requirements!

The flexible packaging segment was the largest segment and was valued at USD 764.22 million in 2018. Moreover, manufacturers and retailers prefer flexible packaging because of its lightweight property that reduces transportation costs. In addition, flexible packaging has gained traction in the natural and dairy product market and dominates product categories such as soy milk and almond milk. Furthermore, flexible packaging is also used in a variety of applications, such as consumer products, medical products, and others. Hence, such factors are driving the market during the forecast period.

Product Segment Analysis:

Based on the product, the market has been segmented into wide web, medium web, and narrow web. The wide web segment will account for the largest share of this segment. The wide web machines are mainly used in the flexible packaging industry. In addition, this includes printing on large rolls of materials such as plastic films, paper, and foil, which are extensively used for packaging applications in food, beverage, and other consumer goods. Moreover, wide web flexographic printing is suitable for high-volume printing requirements. In addition, industries that require large quantities of printed materials, such as packaging converters and label manufacturers, often opt for wide web flexo presses for their efficiency in handling large print runs. Furthermore, wide web machines are designed for enhanced efficiency and productivity. Hence, such factors are driving the market during the forecast period.

Regional Analysis

For more insights on the market share of various regions Download Sample PDF now!

Europe is estimated to contribute 30% to the growth by 2028.  Technavio's analysts have provided extensive insight into the market forecasting, detailing the regional trends and drivers influencing the market's trajectory throughout the forecast period. The market in Europe, especially Western Europe, is a mature market due to the high adoption of smartphones and other digital devices used for e-reading. In addition, the region is also exhibiting a shift in reading preferences from print to eBooks. Furthermore, countries such as Germany and France are observing an increase in the adoption of electronic devices for e-reading. In addition, in the educational sector, the European Union (EU) has made advances in terms of the delivery of education. Furthermore, the Digital Agenda published by the European Commission is one of the seven pillars of the Europe 2020 Strategy, which establishes EU growth objectives for 2020. In addition, the objective of the Digital Agenda is to use the potential of information and communication technology (ICT) for innovation, economic growth, and progress in Europe. Hence, such factors are driving the market growth in Europe during the forecast period.

Who are the Major Market Companies?

Companies are implementing various strategies, such as strategic alliances, partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, geographical expansion, and product/service launches, to enhance their presence in the market.

Bobst Group SA: The company offers flexographic printing machines such as the FLEXO 160 VISION printer, which has been designed to give high quality printing on corrugated board embedded with different features such as independent drive, printing length adaptation, and register correction.

We also have detailed analyses of the market’s competitive landscape and offer information on 20 market companies, including:

Comexi Group Industries SAU, Edale Ltd., Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, Koenig and Bauer AG, LohiaGroup, Mark Andy Inc., MPS Systems BV, Nilpeter, OMET Srl, OMSO SpA, ORIENT SOGYO Co. Ltd., Rotatek, Star Flex International, Taiyang Machinery Co. Ltd., Uteco Converting SpA, Windmoller and Holscher KG, and Wolverine Flexographic LLC

Technavio market forecast the an in-depth analysis of the market and its players through combined qualitative and quantitative data. The analysis classifies companies into categories based on their business approaches, including pure-play, category-focused, industry-focused, and diversified. Companies are specially categorized into dominant, leading, strong, tentative, and weak, based on their quantitative data analysis.  

Segment Overview

The market analysis and report forecasts market growth by revenue at global, regional & country levels and provides a market growth analysis of the latest trends and growth opportunities from 2018 to 2028. 

• Application Outlook 
  • Flexible packaging
  • Print media
  • Others
• Product Outlook 
  • Wide web
  • Medium web
  • Narrow web
• Region Outlook
  • North America
    • The U.S.
    • Canada
  • Europe
    • The U.K.
    • Germany
    • France
    • Rest of Europe
  • APAC
    • China
    • India
  • South America
    • Chile
    • Argentina
    • Brazil
  • Middle East & Africa
    • Saudi Arabia
    • South Africa
    • Rest of the Middle East & Africa

Market Analyst Overview

The market revolves around the utilization of flexible photopolymer printing plates that are versatile enough to print on various surfaces like plastics, paper, metallic films, and cellophane. These machines are crucial for the flexographic printing process, utilizing relief plates made of materials like rubber or photopolymer. Key components include four rollers (ink roller, meter roller, plate cylinder, impression cylinder) and an anilox roller for ink transfer. They create a raised-relief image plate on a cylinder, allowing for printing on label paper and other substrates. The market emphasizes the versatility and ease of operation of the machinery, making it suitable for different printing runs and materials like extensible plastic film. It accommodates water-based and oil-based inks, employing computer-to-plate processes to reduce prepress times compared to offset litho. Leading vendors like UK-based MPS utilize E-Sleeve technology for consistent print quality showcased at events like LabelexpoEurope 2019.

Moreover, with a focus on print consistency and overall quality, the market integrates features like flat-top dots for predictable results at varying speeds and quality tolerances. This ensures reliable production cost calculations, particularly in the production of flexible packaging products such as pouches made from recyclable high-barrier laminates. The market is driven by demands in sectors like food & beverage packaging, influenced by evolving regulations from entities like China's National People's Congress (NPC) and regulatory agencies like the State Market Regulatory Administration (SMRA), National Health Commission (NHC), and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA). Additionally, it intersects with industries like e-commerce, logistics, and corrugated cardboard, aiming for market penetration and efficient print label solutions backed by organizations like the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).

Market Scope
Report Coverage	Details
Page number	168
Base year	2023
Historic period	2018-2022
Forecast period	2024-2028
Growth momentum & CAGR	Accelerate at a CAGR of 6.33%
Market Growth 2024-2028	USD 591.49 million
Market structure	Fragmented
YoY growth 2023-2024(%)	6.15
Regional analysis	Europe, North America, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa
Performing market contribution	Europe at 30%
Key countries	US, China, Japan, Germany, and France
Competitive landscape	Leading Companies, Market Positioning of Companies, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks
Key companies profiled	Barry Wehmiller Group Inc., BFM Srl, Bobst Group SA, Comexi Group Industries SAU, Edale Ltd., Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, Koenig and Bauer AG, LohiaGroup, Mark Andy Inc., MPS Systems BV, Nilpeter, OMET Srl, OMSO SpA, ORIENT SOGYO Co. Ltd., Rotatek, Star Flex International, Taiyang Machinery Co. Ltd., Uteco Converting SpA, Windmoller and Holscher KG, and Wolverine Flexographic LLC
Market dynamics	Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, and Market condition analysis for the forecast period.
Customization purview	If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

Request Sample PDF 

What are the Key Data Covered in this Market Research Report?

• CAGR of the market during the forecast period
• Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the market between 2023 and 2028
• Precise estimation of the market growth and trends and its contribution to the market in focus on the parent market
• Accurate predictions about upcoming market trends and analysis and changes in consumer behavior
• Market growth and forecasting across Europe, North America, APAC, South America, and the Middle East and Africa
• A thorough market analysis and report of the market’s competitive landscape and detailed information about companies
• Comprehensive market report analysis of factors that will challenge the growth of market  companies

We can help! Our analysts can customize this market research report to meet your requirements. Get in touch