Flexographic Printing Machine Market Size, Report & Share Analysis 2030

Name: Flexographic Printing Machine Market Size, Report & Share Analysis 2030
Creator: Mordor Intelligence
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Flexographic Printing Machine Market Size and Share

Market Overview

Study Period	2019 - 2030
Market Size (2025)	USD 4.22 Billion
Market Size (2030)	USD 4.93 Billion
Growth Rate (2025 - 2030)	3.30% CAGR
Fastest Growing Market	Middle East and Africa
Largest Market	Asia Pacific
Market Concentration	Low
Major Players *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0.

Flexographic Printing Machine Market (2025 - 2030) — Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0.

Flexographic Printing Machine Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence

The flexographic printing machine market size stands at USD 4.22 billion in 2025 and is on track to reach USD 4.93 billion by 2030, reflecting a steady 3.3% CAGR. Investment priorities now revolve around automation, hybrid press capabilities, and compliance with tightening sustainability rules rather than simple capacity expansion. E-commerce-related short runs, water-based ink mandates, and digital-twin maintenance platforms are reshaping procurement criteria across converters. Suppliers that marry fast changeovers with low-VOC performance are gaining share, while regional subsidy programs, most notably China’s 2026 “Green Press” policy, are altering the competitive map. At the same time, mergers such as XSYS-MacDermid and INX-C&A illustrate how plate-making and ink specialists are consolidating to cut lead times and navigate PFAS restrictions.

Key Report Takeaways

By material, paper and paperboard led with 45.56% of the flexographic printing machine market share in 2024.
By press type, in-line/modular systems held 39.34%of the flexographic printing machine market size in 2024.
By end-user industry, food and beverage accounted for 35.67% of the flexographic printing machine market share in 2024.
By automation level, smart/IoT-enabled systems advance at a 7.34% CAGR between 2025-2030 for flexographic printing machine market size.
By geography, Asia-Pacific captured 40.56% of the flexographic printing machine market share in 2024.

Global Flexographic Printing Machine Market Trends and Insights

Drivers Impact Analysis

Driver	(~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast	Geographic Relevance	Impact Timeline
Cost-effective short-run packaging capability	+0.8%	North America & Europe	Medium term (2-4 years)
Food-grade sustainable flexible packaging surge	+0.7%	EU & North America	Long term (≥4 years)
Rapid corrugated capacity additions	+0.6%	Asia-Pacific core	Short term (≤2 years)
Water-based low-VOC ink mandates	+0.5%	North America & EU	Medium term (2-4 years)
Converting-line digital twin and AI predictive-maintenance adoption	+0.4%	Global, with early adoption in Germany, Japan, South Korea	Long term (≥ 4 years)
China's 2026 "Green Press" subsidy for CI-flexo equipment	+0.3%	China domestic market, competitive pressure globally	Short term (≤ 2 years)

Source: Mordor Intelligence

Cost-effective short-run packaging capability

Flexographic press builders have slashed setup times, taking profitable minimum runs from 5,000 m to close to 500 m. Shorter cycles mean brands with seasonal or regional SKUs can deploy custom graphics without prohibitive costs. MacDermid’s LUX ITP plates now leave the plate room in eight hours, down from two days, which removes a key bottleneck for converters targeting next-day art changes. Together, faster plates and rapid changeovers allow flexography to reclaim work that once defaulted to digital presses. Converters are therefore investing in mid-range modular lines that balance speed with flexibility, underpinning equipment demand across the flexographic printing machine market.

Surge in food-grade sustainable flexible packaging

European and North American regulations are eliminating PFAS while demanding full recyclability. Saica Flex plans a 100% recyclable portfolio by 2030 with 5% PCR content, showcasing the pressure on converters to prove circularity^{[1]Source: Packaging Europe, “How Saica Flex Targets a Circular Future for Flexible Packaging,” packagingeurope.com}. INX’s GelFlex EB inks remove lamination layers, cutting total pack weight yet maintaining barrier integrity inxinternational.com. Inline barrier-coating partnerships, such as Solenis-Heidelberg, further reduce secondary processes. As converters race to certify new chemistries before the EU’s August 2026 PFAS cap, demand crescendos for presses that can run water-based or EB curing inks at competitive speeds benefiting the flexographic printing machine market.

Rapid corrugated capacity additions in e-commerce fulfillment

Asia-Pacific corrugators are adding lines to meet package personalization tied to online retail. Over half of corrugated box graphics already use flexo, owing to its speed advantage on brown kraft liners. China’s express-packaging rule GB 43352-2023 imposes heavy-metal limits on inks, pushing converters toward compliant, water-based chemistries. In the United States, Atlantic Packaging’s plant expansion underscores a similar trend toward multi-SKU, high-mix corrugated fulfillment.

Mandates on water-based low-VOC inks

The US EPA now applies Significant New Use Rules to virtually every fresh ink chemistry, forcing formulators to document environmental impacts . Washington State is debating the most stringent ink ban yet, which would trigger wholesale reformulation. High-velocity water-based lines, such as OSP Group’s 100 m/min machine, prove that solvent-free performance is achievable at scale. The rulemaking reinforces water-based investment across the flexographic printing machine market.

Restraints Impact Analysis

Restraint	(~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast	Geographic Relevance	Impact Timeline
Cap-ex intensive multi-color CI presses	-0.6%	Global	Medium term (2-4 years)
Skilled press-operator shortage	-0.4%	Europe & Japan	Long term (≥4 years)
Plate-making lead-time bottlenecks for ultra-short runs	-0.3%	Global, with acute impact in North America & Europe	Short term (≤ 2 years)
Tightening PFAS restrictions on barrier coating compatibility	-0.2%	North America & EU, extending to APAC regulatory zones	Medium term (2-4 years)

Source: Mordor Intelligence

Cap-ex intensive multi-color CI presses

A fully optioned 1,300 mm CI line can command USD 4 million, well above modular alternatives. As a result, even global accounts deferred orders in 2024, cutting Bobst CI bookings by 24%. Mid-market converters hesitate to finance premium presses when average run lengths are shrinking, slowing replacement cycles in the flexographic printing machine market.

Skilled press-operator shortage in Europe and Japan

Complex registration and color management still require experienced crews, yet retirements are outpacing new entrants. The European Labour Authority lists skilled trade scarcity among the region’s top constraints. Japanese converters respond by deploying automated handling robots from Fujifilm Business Innovation to cut manual intervention . Nonetheless, labor gaps continue to cap throughput.

Segment Analysis

By Material: Paper Dominance Faces Plastic Innovation

Paper and paperboard led the flexographic printing machine market with 45.56% share in 2024, buoyed by retail e-commerce cartons and recycled kraft liners. Converters rely on paper’s easy recyclability to satisfy brand mandates, while improved coatings are extending shelf life for ambient foods. Plastic films, however, chart the fastest 6.57% CAGR as mono-material laminates and PCR blends solve circularity and barrier needs.

The substitution battle intensifies as INX’s EB inks allow film structures to drop a lamination layer, cutting gauge without compromising barrier. UFlex’s new PET resin capacity in Egypt reflects global resin self-sufficiency moves to shorten supply chains^{[2]Source: UFlex Limited, “35th Annual Report 2023-2024,” uflexltd.com}. Overall, paper converters expand corrugator fleets, whereas film suppliers chase high-barrier pouches together sustaining equipment demand across the flexographic printing machine market size for substrate-specific presses.

Flexographic Printing Machine Market: Market Share by By Material — Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0.

By Press Type: Modular Flexibility Versus CI Quality

In-line/modular systems held 39.34% revenue share in 2024 thanks to affordable acquisition costs and nimble job changes traits favored by private-label food and indie cosmetics. Central-impression presses, though capital-heavy, are gaining fastest at 5.45% CAGR, propelled by brand demands for tight color-to-color register on shrink sleeves and wide web snacks.

Hybrid designs blur former lines: Uteco’s OnyxOMNIA stitches inkjet heads onto an eight-color flexo deck, delivering 400 m/min while enabling variable data . As CI OEMs roll out automatic plate cylinders and digital-twin diagnostics, converters with 24/6 shifts migrate upscale, driving the flexographic printing machine market toward higher-spec platforms.

By End-User Industry: Food Leadership Meets E-Commerce Growth

Food and beverage sustained a 35.67% stake in 2024 because safety rules and retail presentation standards align naturally with flexography’s low-migration inks and quick color changes. Drake’s Brewing cut Scope 3 emissions by 4% after switching to recyclable cans, illustrating brand sustainability push-pull effects.

Logistics and e-commerce packaging, posting a 7.67% CAGR through 2030, is the standout growth engine. Corrugated plants embrace quick-setup modular presses to print batch-level QR codes, customizing every shipping box. The segment’s volume swing factor makes it an equipment demand bellwether, increasingly shaping capital budgets in the flexographic printing machine market.

Flexographic Printing Machine Market: Market Share by End-User Industry — Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0.

By Automation Level: Smart Systems Drive Transformation

Conventional presses still form 58.56% of global installs, a legacy effect of earlier rollouts. Yet smart/IoT-enabled lines accelerate at 7.34% CAGR as AI diagnostics curb waste and downtime. SOMA’s bounce-control algorithms and Müller Martini’s connected bindery modules show how predictive analytics reduce operator touchpoints.

Real-time data platforms feed cloud dashboards where maintenance teams schedule bearing swaps before a defect surfaces, cutting typical stoppages by 10%. Automation upgrade paths thus underpin aftermarket retrofits and new-press sales alike, reinforcing momentum in the flexographic printing machine market.

Geography Analysis

Asia-Pacific accounted for 40.56% of global revenues in 2024, aided by China’s capacity expansions and subsidy-driven equipment renewals that favor CI presses meeting “green, intelligent” criteria^{[3]Source: Chinese Government, “关于2025年加力扩围实施大规模设备更新,” gov.cn}. Japan’s high labor costs accelerate adoption of robotic material handling, while South Korean and ASEAN converters invest in flexible packaging lines to serve regional snack and personal-care brands.

Middle East & Africa is the fastest-growing territory at 6.14% CAGR. Population growth, cold-chain improvements, and rising FMCG penetration spur new flexible packaging plants, drawing investments like UFlex’s PET chip facility in Egypt which anchors local resin supply. Gulf States are also piloting water-based ink retrofits to meet circular-economy targets.

North America and Europe, though mature, remain technology pacesetters as PFAS and VOC regulations tighten. The EU’s 25 ppb PFAS ceiling effective August 2026 forces converters to overhaul barrier coatings. North American printers face similar pressure from state-level solvent rules, driving upgrades to enclosed-chamber doctor-blade systems and heat-set air management. Consequently, replacement demand keeps the flexographic printing machine market dynamic despite slower macro-volume growth in these regions.

Flexographic Printing Machine Market CAGR (%), Growth Rate by Region — Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0.

Competitive Landscape

Market consolidation is advancing yet stops short of oligopoly. XSYS’s USD 325 million purchase of MacDermid Graphics Solutions builds a plate-making powerhouse that can shave hours off lead times. INX’s acquisition of Coatings & Adhesives strengthens low-VOC coating innovation pipelines.

Bobst, Windmöller & Hölscher, and Uteco race to embed IIoT dashboards and remote diagnostics. Bobst’s Florence competence center showcases inline digital-flexo hybrids, signaling where press portfolios are headed. Meanwhile, Komori and Koenig & Bauer restructure to streamline R&D around automation modules.

New entrants leverage niche strengths: Domino integrates inkjet bars into narrow-web flexo frames for variable data labels, and Xeikon’s tie-up with EFI builds a combined service footprint for legacy Jetrion users. All players focus on rapid-changeover, solvent-free production lines, and predictive maintenance to differentiate amid the evolving flexographic printing machine market.

Flexographic Printing Machine Industry Leaders

Bobst Group SA
Edale UK Limited
OMET
Koenig & Bauer AG
Mark Andy Inc.
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order

Flexographic Printing Machine Market Concentration — Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0.

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Recent Industry Developments

February 2025: Xeikon and EFI formed a strategic partnership for digital label printing, integrating Jetrion customers into Xeikon’s service network
January 2025: Bobst opened a 1,200 sqm competence center in Florence featuring inline flexo and digital systems linked to the Bobst Connect platform.
November 2024: Koenig & Bauer announced a group realignment to sharpen segment focus and reduce overhead.
September 2024: XSYS agreed to acquire MacDermid Graphics Solutions in a USD 325 million deal pending approval.

Table of Contents for Flexographic Printing Machine Industry Report

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Study Assumptions and Market Definition
1.2 Scope of the Study

2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

4. MARKET LANDSCAPE

4.1 Market Overview
4.2 Market Drivers
- 4.2.1 Cost-effective short-run packaging capability
- 4.2.2 Surge in food-grade sustainable flexible packaging
- 4.2.3 Rapid corrugated capacity additions in e-commerce fulfilment
- 4.2.4 Mandates on water-based low-VOC inks in North America and EU
- 4.2.5 Converting-line digital twin and AI predictive-maintenance adoption
- 4.2.6 China 2026 Green Press subsidy for CI-flexo equipment
4.3 Market Restraints
- 4.3.1 Cap-ex intensive multi-colour CI presses
- 4.3.2 Skilled press-operator shortage in Europe and Japan
- 4.3.3 Plate-making lead-time bottlenecks for ultra-short runs
- 4.3.4 Tightening PFAS restrictions on barrier coating compatibility
4.4 Supply-Chain Analysis
4.5 Regulatory Landscape
4.6 Technological Outlook
4.7 Porter's Five Forces Analysis
- 4.7.1 Threat of New Entrants
- 4.7.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers
- 4.7.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
- 4.7.4 Threat of Substitutes
- 4.7.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry

5. MARKET SIZE AND GROWTH FORECASTS (VALUE)

5.1 By Material
- 5.1.1 Paper and Paperboard
- 5.1.2 Plastic Films
- 5.1.3 Metallic Films and Foils
- 5.1.4 Corrugated Board
- 5.1.5 Others Material (Bioplastics, Laminates)
5.2 By Press Type
- 5.2.1 Central-Impression (CI)
- 5.2.2 Stack
- 5.2.3 In-Line / Modular
5.3 By End-User Industry
- 5.3.1 Food and Beverage
- 5.3.2 Pharmaceutical and Healthcare
- 5.3.3 Personal-Care and Cosmetics
- 5.3.4 Consumer Electronics
- 5.3.5 Logistics and E-commerce
- 5.3.6 Other End-user Industry
5.4 By Automation Level
- 5.4.1 Conventional
- 5.4.2 Smart / IoT-Enabled
5.5 By Geography
- 5.5.1 North America
- 5.5.1.1 United States
- 5.5.1.2 Canada
- 5.5.1.3 Mexico
- 5.5.2 Europe
- 5.5.2.1 Germany
- 5.5.2.2 France
- 5.5.2.3 Italy
- 5.5.2.4 United Kingdom
- 5.5.2.5 Spain
- 5.5.2.6 Rest of Europe
- 5.5.3 Asia-Pacific
- 5.5.3.1 China
- 5.5.3.2 Japan
- 5.5.3.3 India
- 5.5.3.4 South Korea
- 5.5.3.5 ASEAN
- 5.5.3.6 Rest of Asia-Pacific
- 5.5.4 South America
- 5.5.4.1 Brazil
- 5.5.4.2 Argentina
- 5.5.4.3 Rest of South America
- 5.5.5 Middle East and Africa
- 5.5.5.1 Middle East
- 5.5.5.1.1 Saudi Arabia
- 5.5.5.1.2 United Arab Emirates
- 5.5.5.1.3 Turkey
- 5.5.5.1.4 Rest of Middle East
- 5.5.5.2 Africa
- 5.5.5.2.1 South Africa
- 5.5.5.2.2 Kenya
- 5.5.5.2.3 Rest of Africa

6. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

6.1 Market Concentration
6.2 Strategic Moves
6.3 Market Share Analysis
6.4 Company Profiles (includes Global level Overview, Market level overview, Core Segments, Financials as available, Strategic Information, Market Rank/Share for key companies, Products and Services, and Recent Developments)
- 6.4.1 Bobst Group SA
- 6.4.2 Windmoller and Holscher KG
- 6.4.3 Koenig and Bauer AG
- 6.4.4 Mark Andy Inc.
- 6.4.5 Uteco Group
- 6.4.6 Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
- 6.4.7 OMET Srl
- 6.4.8 MPS Systems BV
- 6.4.9 Nilpeter A/S
- 6.4.10 Gallus Ferd. Ruesch AG
- 6.4.11 Soma Engineering
- 6.4.12 PCMC (Barry-Wehmiller)
- 6.4.13 Star Flex International
- 6.4.14 Orient Sogyo Co. Ltd.
- 6.4.15 Taiyo Kikai Ltd.
- 6.4.16 Comexi Group
- 6.4.17 Rotatek SA
- 6.4.18 Wolverine Flexographic LLC
- 6.4.19 Zhejiang Weigang Machinery
- 6.4.20 Edale Ltd.

7. MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE OUTLOOK

7.1 White-space and Unmet-need Assessment

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Global Flexographic Printing Machine Market Report Scope

A flexographic printing machine is an equipment that can print high-quality prints on various types of flexible materials. It is commonly used in the packaging industry to print labels, tags, packaging materials, and flexible packaging products. Flexographic printing, which uses flexible printed plates made of rubber or photopolymer, is a process that can be used for various purposes, such as printing on any flat surface.

The Flexographic Printing Machine Market is segmented by material (paper, corrugated cardboard, plastic films, metallic films), end-user industry (pharmaceutical, food & beverage, cosmetics, consumer electronics, logistics, print media), and by geography (North America (United States, Canada), Europe (United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Australia) Latin America (Brazil, Argentina, Mexico), The Middle East, and Africa (Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Egypt)). The market sizes and forecasts are provided in terms of value (USD) for all the above segments.

By Material	Paper and Paperboard
	Plastic Films
	Metallic Films and Foils
	Corrugated Board
	Others Material (Bioplastics, Laminates)
By Press Type	Central-Impression (CI)
	Stack
	In-Line / Modular
By End-User Industry	Food and Beverage
	Pharmaceutical and Healthcare
	Personal-Care and Cosmetics
	Consumer Electronics
	Logistics and E-commerce
	Other End-user Industry
By Automation Level	Conventional
	Smart / IoT-Enabled

By Geography	North America	United States
		Canada
		Mexico

	Europe	Germany
		France
		Italy
		United Kingdom
		Spain
		Rest of Europe

	Asia-Pacific	China
		Japan
		India
		South Korea
		ASEAN
		Rest of Asia-Pacific

	South America	Brazil
		Argentina
		Rest of South America

	Middle East and Africa	Middle East	Saudi Arabia
			United Arab Emirates
			Turkey
			Rest of Middle East

		Africa	South Africa
			Kenya
			Rest of Africa

By Material

Paper and Paperboard

Plastic Films

Metallic Films and Foils

Corrugated Board

Others Material (Bioplastics, Laminates)

By Press Type

Central-Impression (CI)

Stack

In-Line / Modular

By End-User Industry

Food and Beverage

Pharmaceutical and Healthcare

Personal-Care and Cosmetics

Consumer Electronics

Logistics and E-commerce

Other End-user Industry

By Automation Level

Conventional

Smart / IoT-Enabled

By Geography

North America	United States
	Canada
	Mexico
Europe	Germany
	France
	Italy
	United Kingdom
	Spain
	Rest of Europe
Asia-Pacific	China
	Japan
	India
	South Korea
	ASEAN
	Rest of Asia-Pacific
South America	Brazil
	Argentina
	Rest of South America

Middle East and Africa	Middle East	Saudi Arabia
		United Arab Emirates
		Turkey
		Rest of Middle East

	Africa	South Africa
		Kenya
		Rest of Africa

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Key Questions Answered in the Report

What is the current size of the flexographic printing machine market?

The flexographic printing machine market is valued at USD 4.22 billion in 2025.

How fast is the flexographic printing machine market growing?

The market is registering a 3.3% compound annual growth rate between 2025 and 2030.

Which region holds the largest share of the flexographic printing machine market?

Asia-Pacific leads with 40.56% revenue share as of 2024.

What is the fastest-growing application segment?

Logistics and e-commerce packaging is expanding at a 7.67% CAGR through 2030.

Why are water-based inks gaining traction in the flexographic printing machine industry?

Tighter VOC and PFAS regulations in North America and Europe are pushing converters toward solvent-free, low-migration ink systems that comply with new limits.

How are equipment makers addressing the labor shortage challenge?

Manufacturers are embedding IoT sensors, digital twins, and automated material-handling robots to reduce manual interventions and maintain consistent print quality.