Industry Insights: China’s Offset Printing Plate Market Sees Growth Against the Trend, Gradually Capturing Import Market Share in Europe

The offset printing plate markets in China and Europe are expanding due to several key factors. Supportive policies have played a major role. In recent years, the Chinese government introduced policies encouraging advanced, digital, and intelligent printing technologies. For example, in 2019, the National Development and Reform Commission promoted the development of high-resolution plate-making systems. In 2021, the National Press and Publication Administration emphasized the importance of printing plates and supported the R&D of high-speed process-free CTP plates and digital flexible plates.

Globally, economic growth and rising disposable incomes have stimulated commercial activities, increasing the demand for printed materials such as brochures, packaging, and posters. In 2022, the average disposable income in China reached ¥36,883, a 5.0% year-on-year increase. Similar trends in Europe have boosted demand for high-quality packaging and printed products.

The rapid growth of e-commerce has further driven the market. During the pandemic, online shopping became more prevalent. In 2022, China’s online retail sales reached ¥13.8 trillion, a 4.0% increase. Europe’s e-commerce revenue hit $596.04 billion, with Spain accounting for $41.16 billion. The expansion of e-commerce has increased the need for packaging, thereby boosting demand for printing plates.

Technological advancements have also been critical. For a long time, overseas manufacturers dominated the market in key raw materials and high-end products. However, Chinese companies have increased R&D efforts, making breakthroughs in photosensitive coatings and flexible plates. This has broken foreign monopolies, supporting high-quality development in China’s printing industry. In Europe, especially Spain, these advancements have injected new vitality into the market.

Future opportunities lie in digitalization and automation. Automation improves production efficiency, reduces costs, and enhances product consistency. In Europe, where labor costs are high, digitalization is becoming essential. Environmental protection is another key trend. Governments in China and Europe are implementing stricter environmental policies, encouraging the adoption of eco-friendly materials. Process-free offset plates and flexible plates are gaining popularity due to their sustainability.

Globalized supply chains enable companies to source high-quality, low-cost raw materials worldwide, reducing dependence on single markets and enhancing resilience. Vertical integration within the industry is also emerging. By controlling upstream and downstream processes, companies can better manage costs and respond more quickly to market changes, such as rising demand for eco-friendly printing plates.