Instant verification inks and tamper detection inks constitute security ink. The sub-classification of security ink includes secondary fluorescing ink fall, invisible ink, magnetic ink, optically variable ink, biometric ink, thermo-chromic ink, water-based ink, and reactive ink. These inks come into picture when authentication or protection of documents is mandatory, like stamp papers, identity cards, certificates, passports, and so on.
What drives the Security Ink Market?
Counterfeiting has been adversely affecting the economies worldwide. As such, the need to secure currency notes, cheques, documents, and various other sensitive materials has increased manifold. Moreover, the commercial sector is also vying for usage of security ink for lottery, elite-even tickets, and gift vouchers.
Security Ink market: What’s up now?
As of now, the manufacturers have been focusing on development of security ink invisible in ambient and ultraviolet light but visible under fluorescent microplate readers.
Some of the key manufacturers in the security ink market include Villager Security Solutions, Shojudo, Pingwei, Wancheng, Godo, Mingbo, Jinpin, Holograms de Mexico, Kao Collins, Sun Chemical, SICPA, Microtrace, Gleitsmann Security Inks, Chromatic Technologies, and Letong Ink.
The manufacturers (and a few new in the fray) and researchers are into organic and inorganic expansion mode to grab a greater mindshare of the end-users.
For instance –
- In Sep 2020, Sun Chemical announced acquisition of Brazil-based Seller Ink Industria e Comercio de Tintas e Vernizes Ltda. With the objective of increasing the former’specialty coatings and inks offerings all over Latin America.
- Toppan Printing, in Apr 2020, became the first company to have received ISO 14298 certification, which does facilitate it to table holograms for utilization in passports, banknotes, ID cards, and numerous other secure documents.
- In Apr 2020, the scientists at the CSIR – national Laboratory did develop an exclusive security ink that is able to avert counterfeiting of the currency notes and forged printing of the passports.
- In Sep 2019, researchers at China did develop a rewriteable paper coating capable of encrypting secret information with comparatively low-tech visible ink – water. As such, the message printed out on manganese-complex-coated paper by waterjet printer is visible only under UV light (254 nm).
Covid-19 Impact
The overall commercial activity has been impacted by Covid-19. The supply chain has been adversely affected since Mar 2020. Though things are trying their best to get back to normal, the slowdown is bound to continue till the end of 2020. However, the year 2021 is bound to bring upturns – such that the expenditure on security inks is likely to increase as situation post-crisis is expected to see a rise in illegal activities.
Something Novel to Ponder About?
Secure inks are not always “invisible”. Though majority of applications suffice with invisible inks, there do exist visible security ink solutions. For instance – there are passports containing photosensitive ink visible to naked eye. However, it needs to be noted that color disappears or changes on being placed under UV light. The letters “USA” on the US passports have been printed with security ink appearing “golden” on being viewed from a direction and green on being viewed from the other.
How About Region-Wise Analysis?
North America leads the security ink market. It is, in fact, an indelible part of the US $16 Tn economy. This could be reasoned with loads of security regulations that are enforced by the government regarding official documents. Plus, the presence of numerous multinational corporations asks for secure documents. This trend is expected to continue between 2020 and 2030 as well.
Europe comes second. Though the flagship companies are not on an expansion spree, the small-scale incorporations are all the more serious regarding security. This trend is likely to put Europe on the second position in the security ink market going forward.
East Asia is another region to look into. Countries like Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan are high on security than ever before. South Asia is expected to take over East Asia as countries like India are developing at a rate faster than counterparts like China. Moreover, India has turned out to be a home to maximum start-ups in the last few years. These new entries are benevolent regarding security. This factor is another driving agent to the security ink market. MEA, Latin America, and Oceania are the other economies looked upon as promising revenue generators in the forecast period.
In all, the security ink market would be amongst the ones gaining maximum traction post Covid-19.
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