Core Viewpoint - The water-based ink industry is facing challenges in China, with a projected market size of 320 million yuan by 2025, showing a slight increase of 1.9% year-on-year, while the industry has been experiencing a downward trend since 2020 due to weak market demand [1][9]. Industry Overview - Water-based ink is an intermediate product formed during the pigment preparation process, simplifying production processes for ink customers and reducing pollutant emissions [3][9]. - The production process of water-based ink involves physical changes without chemical reactions, making it distinct from traditional pigments [4][5]. Industry Chain - The upstream of the water-based ink industry includes raw materials such as pigments, binders, and additives, while the midstream involves the production of water-based ink, and the downstream is the ink industry, which serves various packaging and printing markets [5][6]. Market Size and Trends - The Chinese water-based ink market has been declining since 2020, with a projected market size of 320 million yuan by 2025, reflecting a slight year-on-year increase of 1.9% [1][10]. - The overall ink market in China is expected to reach 18.374 billion yuan by 2024, with a year-on-year growth of 6.7%, driven by the demand for environmentally friendly inks in various sectors [8][9]. Competitive Landscape - The water-based ink industry in China consists of organic pigment companies and ink companies, with key players including Longkou United Chemical Co., Ltd. and Hanghua Ink Co., Ltd. [10][11]. - Longkou United Chemical Co., Ltd. has a production capacity of 3,000 tons of water-based ink and has been facing a decline in revenue, with a reported income of 7.4126 million yuan in the first half of 2025, down 6.55% year-on-year [11]. - Hanghua Ink Co., Ltd. reported a revenue of 907 million yuan in the first three quarters of 2025, a decrease of 1.62% year-on-year, with a net profit decline of 25% [11][12]. Future Development Trends - The demand for water-based ink is expected to increase due to the steady development of downstream industries, which require high-performance ink products with low impurity content [11]. - The industry is likely to see increased concentration, with leading companies expanding market share through mergers and acquisitions, while smaller firms focus on niche markets [11]. - Domestic companies are expected to accelerate international expansion and enhance competitiveness by adopting advanced technologies and management practices [11].