Coding and Marking Market

Market Overview

The global coding and marking market was valued at USD 6.47 billion in 2023. It is estimated to reach USD 12.79 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 7.87% during the forecast period (2024–2032). In recent years, there has been a surge in the demand for packaging solutions from the healthcare industry, thereby driving the global coding and marking market. Moreover, there has been a rise in the strategic initiatives taken by the key players to enhance their market share, which is estimated to create market expansion opportunities.

Coding and marking pertain to the processes of applying identification information to products and packaging. This information can include manufacturing dates, batch numbers, expiration dates, barcodes, and other essential details. The primary purpose of coding and marking is to ensure traceability, quality control, and regulatory compliance.

Technologies used for these processes include inkjet printers, laser coders, thermal transfer overprinters, and embossers. Inkjet printers spray ink to form characters, while laser coders etch information onto surfaces using laser beams. Thermal transfer overprinters utilize heat to transfer ink from a ribbon onto packaging. These methods are crucial in industries such as food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and electronics, where accurate labeling is essential for safety, inventory management, and efficient supply chain operations.

Highlights

• Consumables dominate the product mix segment
• CIJ technology dominates the technology segment
• F&B dominates the end-user segment
• Asia-Pacific is the highest shareholder in the global market

Market Dynamics

Global Coding and Marking Market Drivers

Rising Demand from the Healthcare Industry

The pharmaceutical industry is one of the major end-users of packaged products, and it is growing at an annual rate of over 4.4%. It is expected to reach USD 1.5 trillion by 2026. The major packaging products used are blister plastic films, aluminum foils, and pouches. The pharmaceutical industry is currently witnessing a huge demand for blister packaging as it enables anti-counterfeiting with barcodes.

The blister packaging market was valued at over USD 15 billion in 2020. Its share in global pharmaceutical packaging was 15–18% in 2020. Since blister packs are child-resistant and senior-citizen friendly, they are currently the most preferred format for single-dosage drugs. They are incorporated with RFID so that they can be tracked easily. Since these are the most preferred formats for single-dosage drugs, they are produced in smaller sizes and higher volumes, boosting the demand for packaging and coding. Moreover, the requirement for RFID has fueled the coding and marking market.

Global Coding and Marking Market Restraint

Counterfeit Products

A major hurdle in the global market is counterfeit products. Other vendors regularly imitate the material, technology, or performance of the marking and coding equipment. These are then sold at a lower price than the original product. For instance, 9.7% of pharmaceutical products sold across the globe are counterfeit. Infiltration of the market with counterfeit products poses a challenge to existing vendors. Thus, authentic vendors must patent their technology, which is tedious and expensive. Such factors restrict market growth.

Global Coding and Marking Market Opportunities

Strategic Initiatives by the Key Players

The key players in the market are taking several strategic initiatives like mergers and acquisitions, collaborations, product launches, etc. For instance, in March 2024, Control Print, an Indian company specializing in coding and marking, obtained a majority ownership in the Codeology Group, a company based in the UK. Codeology Group specializes in the production of high-capacity inkjet printers designed specifically for printing on large surfaces such as exterior cases. These printers are commonly used for coding purposes as well as for printing and applying labels. The £1m agreement, facilitated by Control Print's subsidiary in the Netherlands, involves acquiring a controlling interest of 50.49% in the Salisbury business.

Additionally, in November 2023, Linx Printing Technologies, a specialist in coding and marking, introduced the Linx 8000 Series Spectrum CIJ printer, designed specifically for printing with white and light-colored inks. Linx has stated that its primary focus is pigmented ink printing, incorporating new features to improve print quality and reliability. The Spectrum offers extended service intervals of up to 8,000 hours or 12 months, which is said to be twice as long as the majority of competing printers that use pigmented inks, spanning a variety of hard-pigmented inks. Thus, such initiatives are estimated to create opportunities for global market growth.

Regional Analysis

Based on region, the global coding and marking market is bifurcated into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. 

Asia-Pacific Dominates the Global Market

Asia-Pacific is the most significant global coding and marking market shareholder and is expected to expand substantially during the forecast period. The region is expected to have substantial growth in the coding and marking market, driven by rapid industrialization, urbanization, and expanding manufacturing sectors. The region's economic activities and technological advancements fuel the demand for efficient coding and marking solutions. With increasing regulatory requirements and the need for product traceability, companies in this region are investing heavily in advanced coding and marking technologies to enhance supply chain transparency and compliance.

As the world's manufacturing hub, China's coding and marking market dominates the Asia-Pacific. The country's massive production capacity and extensive industrial base create a high demand for efficient coding and marking solutions. China's stringent product safety and traceability regulations compel manufacturers to adopt advanced coding and marking technologies. The Chinese government's emphasis on improving product quality and reducing counterfeit goods also supports the growth of this market.

Furthermore, the key regional players are launching novel coding and marking solutions, thereby driving the regional market growth. For instance, in December 2023, Codpad, a manufacturer of inkjet coding and marking machines based in China, created a UV inkjet coding machine with a high level of detail, which includes the Xaar Irix printhead. The new machine is specifically engineered to accommodate various coding applications, such as printing on metal, plastic, cartons, wood, aluminum foil, and films.

India's coding and marking market is emerging as a significant player. The country's robust economic growth, rapid industrialization, and urbanization have increased demand for packaged goods. The Indian government's initiatives to promote manufacturing through the "Make in India" campaign have further boosted the market. According to the Indian Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), the packaging industry in India is expected to reach USD 204.81 billion by 2025, which will significantly drive the demand for coding and marking solutions.

Additionally, the growing focus on food safety and stringent regulatory standards in the pharmaceutical industry necessitates the use of advanced coding and marking technologies to ensure product integrity and compliance.

Consequently, all these factors together are estimated to expedite the Asia-Pacific coding and marking market growth.

North America holds a substantial share of the global coding and marking market, driven by stringent regulations in industries like pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, and consumer goods. The presence of major market players and the rapid adoption of advanced technologies further bolster market growth in this region. The region's focus on product safety, traceability, and regulatory compliance fuels the demand for sophisticated coding and marking solutions.

The United States coding and marking market is boosted by its robust industrial base and strict regulatory environment. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandates comprehensive labeling and coding requirements for pharmaceuticals and food products to ensure consumer safety and product traceability. This has led to a high adoption rate of advanced coding and marking technologies. Moreover, companies like Videojet Technologies and Markem-Imaje have a strong foothold in the U.S., continuously innovating and launching new products.

For instance, in March 2024, Videojet, a company with more than 45 years of experience in marking, coding, and product identification solutions, is excited to introduce the innovative Videojet 9560 PL pallet labeling system. The 9560 PL can cover three sides of a pallet and apply up to four labels.

Canada's coding and marking market is driven by its focus on regulatory compliance and product safety. Health Canada enforces stringent labeling regulations across various industries, including pharmaceuticals and food and beverages. Canada's pharmaceutical industry, expected to reach USD 29.6 billion by 2024, requires advanced coding and marking technologies for serialization and traceability. The presence of key players like Domino Printing and Linx Printing Technologies in the Canadian market underscores the importance of coding and marking solutions to ensure product authenticity and safety. The emphasis on reducing counterfeit products and enhancing supply chain transparency continues to drive the adoption of these technologies in Canada.

Thus, the factors above are estimated to boost the North American coding and marking market growth.

Analyst’s Perspective

According to our research analyst, the coding and marking industry is a critical component of the food and beverage sector, ensuring safety, compliance, and efficiency. The adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies, including IoT and AI, will drive further automation in coding and marking processes, enhancing efficiency and accuracy. Moreover, integration of coding and marking solutions with supply chain management systems and real-time data tracking will become more prevalent, providing end-to-end visibility and improving operational decision-making. As technological advancements and consumer demands evolve, the industry will continue to innovate, offering increasingly sophisticated solutions to fulfill the needs of this dynamic market.

Segmental Analysis

The global coding and marking market is segmented by product mix, technology, and end-user.

Based on product mix, the global coding and marking market is segmented into consumables, equipment, and spare parts and aftermarket. 

The consumables segment owns the highest market share and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 9.37% during the forecast period. Due to the massive need for inks and other consumables from the food, beverage, and healthcare sectors, the worldwide coding and marking market for consumables grew even during the COVID-19 epidemic. The consumables segment is further sub-segmented into ribbons, fluids, print heads, and filters. The demand for these consumables is primarily due to the stringent regulatory requirements for product labeling and traceability, which are crucial for ensuring consumer safety and product authenticity.

Based on technology, the global coding and marking market is bifurcated into CIJ technology, laser technology, palm technology, TTO technology, PIJ technology, VIJ technology, and TIJ technology. 

The CIJ technology segment dominates the global market and is projected to exhibit a CAGR of 7.71% over the forecast period. CIJ (continuous inkjet) is the most commonly used coding and marking technique mainly because the installation procedure is user-friendly. This technique provides a significant benefit in terms of fast printing speed and its ability to dry quickly. This method is highly adaptable and allows for printing on almost any surface. It is easy to install and has become a standard solution in many coding applications.

Based on end-users, the global coding and marking market is divided into F&B, healthcare, electrical and electronics, chemicals and construction, automotive and aerospace, and others. 

The F&B segment is the largest contributor to the market. The F&B segment or industry refers to all those companies mainly processing raw materials, packaging processed food or drinks, and distributing them. Coding and marking play a vital role in the F&B industry worldwide. With the holistic growth of the global sector, the demand for appropriate coding and marking solutions becomes imminent. In recent years, the expansion of this market sector has been further fueled by the introduction of new potential markets across geographies and the proliferation of stock-keeping units (SKUs). This rise is further backed by increased consumer spending across the industry.

Recent Developments

• April 2024- Bodegas Franco-Españolas selected Macsa ID to mechanize its coding, marking, and labeling procedures at its winery in Spain.
• January 2024- Markem-Imaje, a global supplier of comprehensive supply chain solutions and industrial marking and coding systems, introduced a Marking Trigger Device. This device improves the versatility of their equipment for direct coding on various surfaces and sizes, including large objects like aircraft wings.