There are 600 heatset web printers in Western Europe, operating around 1,600 presses. But mergers, closures and increased press productivity will see this number dramatically reduced in the next decade, says The Future of Heatset Web Offset Printing in Europe.

The report stresses the need for UK printers in particular "to join forces and spearhead their activities in order to remain Europes leading heatset printing industry". The UK has a 22.8% share of the European heatset market, which Pira values at 14bn (E22.8bn), but the majority of its sales are generated in its home market.

UK firms are also advised to join the BPIF. "[The UK] lacks a strong institutionally organised environment with a leading scientific, statistical and managerial outfit," said author Jan Vroegop.

Efficiency improvements are also badly needed as growth will be very modest. European heatset sales are expected to hit 14.5bn by 2006, representing an annual incremental growth of less than 1%.

The report costs 2,500.

Contact: 01372 802071.

Story by Lauretta Roberts