Anti-counterfeiting Security Ink Market

Market Overview

According to Reed Intelligence the Global Anti-counterfeiting Security Ink Market Size will approximately grow at a CAGR of 4.3% during the forecast period.

Anti-counterfeiting ink is a covert security feature that employs invisible ink when not illuminated by a specific wavelength of light. Typically, the effect is reversible, with the ink becoming visible again within one to two minutes of exposure to normal light. Checks, documents, banknotes, certificates, passports, labels, and identification cards, which require high levels of privacy and confidentiality, can be printed with security inks to ensure their integrity.

The increasing prevalence of hazardous substances in e-commerce and online transactions has created a need for secure packaging and labeling, fueling the demand for security inks. Due to the presence of significant economies such as China and India and an increasing emphasis on anti-counterfeiting measures, the Asia-Pacific region is anticipated to dominate the market. Overall, the global market is poised for significant development over the next few years as the demand for enhanced security and authentication continues to rise across various industries.

Market Dynamics

Market Driver 

• Need for Security inks to Protect Consumers

Using security inks protects consumers and manufacturers from stealing and product tampering, instilling confidence in both parties. Governments can combat forgery and counterfeiting by incorporating security inks into money, official travel documents, labels, and tax stamps. These pigments offer various a variety of security features with multiple applications. They are extensively used for industrial printing on porous and many non-porous substrates for documents, tax stamps, designer product anti-counterfeiting, consumer goods, etc. Increasing interest in these inks is driven by the need to print with invisible and fluorescent inks ( security inks) to prevent fraud and comply with consumer safety regulations.

• Increasing instances of Counterfeiting Activities

Increasing counterfeiting activities are a key driver of the Global Security Inks Market. Significant economic and security hazards are posed by counterfeiting, prompting governments: Financial institutions and industries need to invest in  security measures, such as security inks. The demand for security inks is driven by the necessity to safeguard currencies, documents, and high-value products from forgers.

Market Restraint 

• Increase in Digitalization

The industry of security inks functions as a barrier to the digitization and technological convergence of content. The rapid digitization of all forms of content and conversion of content into machine-readable digital code is the driving force behind technological convergence. Governments, consumers, and enterprises will likely be the driving force behind the transition to the digital age.

Governments and businesses will continue to invest in new digital technologies, accelerating the trend toward fully digital societies and employing a higher degree of digitalization in various security documentation. Thus, increasing digitization and technological convergence can be considered market restraints for security inks. However, these factors may also present opportunities for security printing companies to invest in developing new products to counter the threat.

Market Opportunities

• Rise in identity theft

An increase in identity fraud represents a substantial market opportunity for security inks. Fraudsters forge documents for unlawful purposes such as commodity and migrant trafficking, illegal human smuggling across borders, the commission of violent crimes, extremism, and terrorism acts, as well as acquiring privileges and money. Swindlers use a fictitious identity to evade economic obligations and responsibilities and to perpetrate illegal acts without being held accountable by shifting blame to the genuine individual. This complex issue of identity fraud continues to expand.

Market Scope

Segmental Analysis

Segmentation By Type

• Intaglio Inks

Intaglio inks produce raised images on paper and are security ink. Because they are difficult to counterfeit, they are frequently employed in anti-counterfeiting applications. Metal powders, mica grains, and fluorescent pigments create intaglio inks. The pigments are applied to the paper with a printing press, and the raised images are produced by pressing the paper against a metal plate.

• Silkscreen Inks

Silkscreen pigments are used to produce counterfeit-resistant labels and packaging. Typically composed of pigments, polymers, and solvents, they can create various effects, including microprinting, fluorescent inks, and holograms. Silkscreen inks are frequently combined with other anti-counterfeiting measures, such as barcodes and RFID identifiers, to create a more comprehensive solution.

• Letterpress Inks

Letterpress inks are a form of security ink used to produce raised images on paper. This makes them difficult to forge, as the raised image cannot be replicated readily. Frequently, letterpress pigments are utilized in high-value documents such as currency and passports. Additionally, they can be utilized in applications such as product labels and packaging.

• Fluorescent Inks

Fluorescent ink is a type of letterpress ink frequently used for anti-counterfeiting purposes. This type of ink is invisible to the unaided eye under typical lighting conditions, but it emits a brilliant glow when exposed to ultraviolet light. This facilitates the identification of counterfeit documents or products inscribed with fluorescent ink.

• Offset Inks

Offset inks manufacture security documents such as currency, passports, and driver's licenses. They are distinguished by their high opacity, making them difficult to forge. Typical offset inks also contain security features such as microprinting, watermarks, and fluorescent inks, which can authenticate a document.

Segmentation By Application

• Banknotes

Banknotes use anti-counterfeiting security ink to make them more difficult to counterfeit. This variety of ink can be formulated to have properties such as fluorescence, iridescence, and magnetism. These characteristics can create difficult-to-replicate security features like watermarks, microprinting, and security threads.

• Tax Banderoles

Tax banderoles use anti-counterfeiting security ink to make them difficult to counterfeit. Tax banderoles are small strips of paper affixed to alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, and gasoline to monitor their movement and ensure that taxes are paid. Tax banderoles use anti-counterfeiting security ink to make them difficult to counterfeit. Tax banderoles are small strips of paper affixed to alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, and gasoline to monitor their movement and ensure that taxes are paid.

• Security Labels

Security labels use anti-counterfeiting security ink to make them more difficult to counterfeit. This type of ink can be utilized to construct difficult-to-replicate patterns or images. It can also introduce features only visible under specific conditions, such as under ultraviolet light or a microscope. The use of anti-counterfeiting security ink can deter counterfeiters and safeguard product authenticity.

Regional Analysis

The Global Anti-counterfeiting Security Ink Market is segmented by region as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East and Africa.

North America (United States, Canada, and Mexico)

North America dominated the worldwide market for security inks. The North American market for security inks is well-established and mature, driven by stringent regulations, a heightened awareness of counterfeiting issues, and substantial investments in security measures. The region is home to numerous significant producers of security signatures and a significant presence among financial institutions, government agencies, and multinational corporations requiring robust security solutions. North America's market dominance can be attributed to its advanced infrastructure, technological advancements, and emphasis on currency, document, and product security.

Europe (Germany, UK, France, Italy, Russia, Spain, etc.)

The European region is among the world's most counterfeited regions. In 2016, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) estimated that the value of counterfeit products traded in the region was approximately €99 billion. This level of forgery is propelling demand for security inks in the region. There are numerous applications for security inks, including banknotes, official identification documents, tax banderoles, and security labels. Increasing demand for security inks in these applications also contributes to market expansion. Also, stringent government regulations are propelling market expansion. European governments are issuing more and more regulations to combat counterfeiting. The regulations mandate using security coatings in various products, including banknotes, official identification documents, and tax bandoleers. SICPA, Sun Chemical, Microtrace, CTI, Gleitsmann Security Inks, Petrel, Kao Collins, Cronite, Gans, Godo, ANY, Mingbo, Pingwei, Letong Ink, Wancheng, and FYOTEC are the leading competitors in the European anti-counterfeiting security ink market.

Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Australia, Southeast Asia, etc.)

Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing segment of the global security inks market. The Asia-Pacific region is undergoing rapid economic expansion, industrialization, and an intensifying emphasis on anti-counterfeiting measures. China, India, Japan, and South Korea are experiencing an increase in demand for Increasing instances of counterfeiting, and the need for secure packaging and labeling has increased the demand for security inks. In addition, the region's expanding e-commerce industry and large population base contribute to the increased adoption of security inks across multiple industries. With governments and regulatory bodies adopting proactive measures to combat counterfeiting, the security inks market in the Asia Pacific is expected to experience significant growth in the coming years.

South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, etc.)

The market for anti-counterfeiting security ink in South America is anticipated to expand robustly over the next few years. The primary factor propelling market expansion is the rising demand for security inks in government documents, banknotes, and other high-value products. Increasing awareness of counterfeiting and the need to protect consumers from counterfeit goods also expands the market.

Middle East & Africa (South Africa, UAE, Saudi Arabia, etc.)

The growth of the anti-counterfeiting security ink market in the MEA region is hampered by factors such as the high price of security inks and a lack of awareness regarding the benefits of using security inks. Nevertheless, the market is anticipated to expand in the coming years due to the growing demand for security inks from various end-users.

Key Players

1. SICPA
2. Sun Chemical
3. Microtrace
4. CTI
5. Gleitsmann Security Inks
6. Petrel
7. Kao Collins
8. Cronite
9. Gans
10. Godo
11. ANY
12. Mingbo
13. Pingwei
14. Letong Ink
15. Wancheng
16. FYOTEC

Recent Developments

In June 2022, SICPA Morocco inaugurated its new regional center for coding highly secure tax stamps. The coding facility is located in Casablanca's Sidi Bernoussi industrial district. This expansion demonstrates SICPA's dedication to providing advanced solutions for secure tax stamps. It strengthens its presence in the region to meet the growing demand for enhanced security measures in the tax stamp industry.