Navigating the Nitrocellulose Landscape

The global printing ink industry is navigating a period of considerable disruption, with nitrocellulose (NC) shortages dominating headlines and reshaping supply chains worldwide. Ink manufacturers have been compelled to implement price increases on NC-based products in response to surging raw material costs and limited availability.

What’s Driving the Nitrocellulose Shortage?

Nitrocellulose is a primary ingredient in solvent-based inks, prized for its fast drying, excellent adhesion, and clarity, characteristics essential for high-speed packaging applications. However, the NC supply chain is currently under extraordinary strain.

A key driver of this disruption is the rising demand for military-grade NC in Europe, triggered by ongoing geopolitical tensions and rearmament initiatives. This shift has diverted supply away from industrial applications, leading to acute shortages and significant cost inflation across the board.

Compounding the issue are increased raw material prices, freight surcharges, and global shipping delays  that are creating an increasingly complex and costly operating environment.

Our Strategic Response: Stability Through Innovation

At DF Inks, we recognize these challenges, not only as industry stakeholders but as committed partners to converters. Rather than reacting solely to market pressures, we are proactively investing in long-term solutions that reinforce our core pillars: sustainability, reliability and product excellence.

We have intensified our R&D efforts to expand our portfolio of NC-free ink technologies, with a particular focus on polyurethane PU based systems. These solutions are engineered to deliver high-speed performance, consistent printing quality, extremely low solvent retention and high bond strength, while contributing to packaging recyclability and compliance with regulations.

What This Means for Converters

As a DF Ink customer, you benefit from:

• Supply Security We are diversifying raw material sourcing and investing in alternative technologies to minimize disruptions and stabilize your supply chain.
• Consistent Quality and Performance Our PU-based NC-free inks exceed the performance of traditional systems, maintaining excellent printability and adhesion to various substrates, but also high bond strength after lamination.
• Sustainability Leadership Our formulations support mono-material packaging, NC-free printing with ready to use inks, OPV’s and primers, and align with EU environmental standards, helping converters meet both regulatory and market expectations.

Looking Ahead

While short-term pressures persist, the outlook for the nitrocellulose market suggests that demand remains strong. As the sector evolves, adaptability and innovation will be the defining traits of successful partnerships.

At DRUCKFARBEN Group, we remain committed to helping our partners stay ahead of change. Contact your representative to explore our advanced ink systems and how they can support your operations in today’s dynamic environment.