Cost Benefits in Procurement Shift from Solvent-based Inks to Water-based Inks

1. Introduction: Solvent-based inks (SBI) have been in use due to their inherent properties of easy usability and the quality of the final print. However continued use of SBI resulted in emission of volatile organic compounds (VOC) that contribute to formation of ozone at the ground level. With regulatory boards controlling the extent of VOC emissions, the focus slowly shifted towards water-based inks (WBI) 2. Main: With environmental goals set, there was a constant look out for alternative ink systems. With this slow initiation, WBI came into prominence. However, there is constant worry among buyers about combating the ?perceived? increased costs during procurement. With stringent environmental goals on one end and high procurement costs on the other, category managers often face dilemma on whether to boldly make that shift from SBI to WBI. This white paper aims to bring to light the truth on how printer?s continued use of WBI could result in 20-35% cost savings as against the widely believed ?increased? costs. 3. Key Take Away: End buyers contemplating the shift from SBI to WBI in fear of hike in costs of procurement and other associated costs can communicate to their respective printers/converters that ?additional ?costs can NOT be borne. Procurement managers can leverage the knowledge that in fact that even cost savings is possible when one shifts to WBI.