Tis the season to be pensive

The end of the year is nigh and failing unforeseen accidents we would make it into 2026, bruised perhaps but intact. This old year has been a slightly odd one. The growth promised by the government is slow to come, but there are signs that there is improvement on the economic front. The B2 inkjet presses promised for 2025 at Drupa, are by and large, coming in 2026. And the EUDR, promised for 2024, then 2025, will now come at the end of 2026. The nanographic breakthrough promised by Landa Digital Printing will come at some time in the future with LDP under new management.

So if this year has been something of a nothing year in many senses, the lull after the technology introduced at Drupa and before the full impact of EU waste legislation is felt, next year ought to see greater progress. This year has been marked by a reluctance to invest, there being uncertainty over the economy and which is the technology to back, litho, inkjet or toner. The problem here is that hesitation leaves businesses with machines that are increasing expensive to look after and which do not really suit current market conditions let alone conditions expected in future.

Next though, things should change. Mr Trump notwithstanding, there should be greater clarity about the economy and print’s role within it, there will be a greater understanding of the role that inkjet printing will play with early adopters reporting on their success or otherwise and there should be clarity too about the future shape of the paper industry in Europe as the shape of the joint venture between Sappi and UPM Communications Papers becomes clear. There will be casualties. There will be consolidation. There will also be opportunities. There will still be a demand for print, whatever it looks like. And as we head into the festive season, that is worth raising a glass to. Cheers.