Brussels-based Intergraf represents 21 national printing federations across Europe. It has issued an urgent call for European and national authorities to secure the supply of ethyl alcohol.
“Ethyl alcohol is a critical input material for the production of printed packaging material, and therefore for the production of food packaging. Ethyl alcohol is used in flexography printing processes to dilute inks and clean machines. It is also used for the production of disinfectants, for which demand has significantly increased with the spread of Covid-19, sparking concerns of a shortage,” Intergraf stated.
It issued the warning together with FTA Europe, the European Flexographic Printers Association.
Demand for hand sanitiser has also resulted in issues with the supply of isopropanol (IPA) and a big jump in prices.
“Printing companies using isopropanol (IPA) are also reporting a concern for the supply of this solvent... Many companies have seen an increase in the price and/or a reduction in the supply of IPA,” Intergraf said in a special bulletin about the impact of Covid-19 on the European printing industry.
One print supplies expert said that the wholesale price of isopropanol had jumped from around £1.30 a litre to £4.50 a litre “if you can get hold of the stuff”.
Intergraf noted that some printers have already been badly affected by an immediate slump in demand, while the knock-on effects of coronavirus-related restrictions and changes to business practices were yet to become clear.
“A general reduction of the European economy will have an impact on advertising, because these costs tend to be cut in a first step. Advertising makes up some 40% of all printed products in Europe, so such a reduction will deeply affect all printing companies, regardless of their specialisation,” Intergraf warned.
“There are also concerns about impacts on the transport of goods with the increase of border controls in Europe.”
The federation also said there were concerns about a possible shortage and/or delays in the supply of paper, although UK paper merchants have said they are well-stocked at present.
Other knock-on impacts include products and chemicals from China and Italy. “Both China and Italy are significant suppliers of foils and films used in packaging printing, so there are also concerns that these supply chains could be affected. In addition to this, European printing companies indirectly rely on China for the supply of chemicals used in input materials in printing processes such as the constituents of inks and solvents.”
Intergraf also called for the “fair treatment of shipments from Italy”, as well as other European countries which may be subject to restrictive measures.
