Ink industry’s green momentum accelerates

The ink and coatings industries are establishing new benchmarks for corporate responsibility, with the EcoVadis sustainability rating emerging as the essential standard for measuring environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance. During the recently concluded Pamex and PlastIndia shows, the number of ink and ink-producing companies achieving certification has nearly tripled since 2022, signifying a decisive pivot toward verifiable, third-party validated sustainability.

Ink industry executives increasingly view EcoVadis as a strategic imperative, driven by growing demand from brand owners, consumers, and businesses committed to sustainable supply chains. The momentum is visible across all tiers of the rating system, which classifies companies from Platinum (the highest) down through Gold, Silver, and Bronze.

Several industry leaders have demonstrated progress; some achieved the coveted Platinum Medal, a rating that places them in the top 1% of all companies assessed globally. These include Epson, which maintained its Platinum status, reflecting sustained, measurable ESG efforts, and Ricoh, which achieved its first Platinum rating. This milestone follows a decade of consecutive Gold ratings, driven by improvements in its environmental policies and supply chain risk management.

Further reinforcing the industry’s commitment, companies like Flint Group, Siegwerk, and Michelman have secured the Gold Medal, placing them among the top 5% of rated companies. Michelman recently earned its Gold rating for the third consecutive year, reflecting its Planet Positive strategy and focus on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)-free, circular economy solutions. Similarly, Siegwerk saw a 15-point increase in its score, which its head of global sustainability, Alina Marm, noted “proves the effectiveness of our holistic sustainability agenda.”

The adoption of these standards is also transforming global procurement. DIC Corporation has integrated the EcoVadis platform as a mandatory benchmark for its global supply chain. By standardising these ratings, DIC ensures that its vision is backed by verifiable data across its subsidiaries and regional partners.

This commitment to sustainability is gaining rapid traction in Asian markets as well. Notably, Sakata in Vietnam, a subsidiary of Sakata Inx Corporation, became the first company within the Sakata Inx Group in Asia to be awarded an EcoVadis Bronze Medal. This achievement, shared by other global players like Inx International Ink, highlights the growing regional adoption of the standard.

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EcoVadis is the global standard for business sustainability ratings, evaluating over 150,000 companies across 200+ industries. The assessment utilises a 0–100 scoring system to rank performance across four critical pillars: Environment, Labour and Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement.

Built on international frameworks like the UN Global Compact and ISO 26000, the methodology analyses evidence-based data—including GHG emissions, hazardous waste protocols, and supply chain ethics—to assign medals (Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze) that represent a company's percentile rank relative to its global peers.