Europe’s printing association, Intergraf, has called on policymakers across Europe to provide the graphics sector with more targeted support as energy prices skyrocket.

The association is issued a statement saying the energy crisis is threatening the supply of printed products for all economic markets – from school books, advertising and labels for food and pharmaceutical products, to packaging of all kinds.

“Not to mention the many printed products that are vital to democracy and Europe’s knowledge society, like books, newspapers, and magazines. The printing industry with its manifold products serves citizens and businesses across Europe every day,” Intergraf said.

The association says SMEs are continuing to bear the brunt of the energy crisis.

“This led to soaring paper and board prices, as well as critical shortages. The printing industry is now experiencing the double penalty of skyrocketing raw material costs combined with rising energy costs. Because of their SME-based structure, this is a situation that many printing companies will not be able to sustain for much longer,” it said.

Intergraf says existing support schemes tend to be directed towards large energy-intensive sectors.

“But it is vital that legislators – both at European and national level – also provide support to sectors like ours that are part of Europe’s critical infrastructures. The printing industry is almost entirely SMEs (95%), an energy-using manufacturing sector, dependent on energy-intensive raw materials, and plays a vital role in supplying value chains that provide essential services and products to society,” it said.

“We call on policymakers across Europe to provide the graphical sector with more targeted support.”

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