A Message from the General Manager of the Technical Management Unit

Amid continued uncertainty and confusion, attributable to dramatic changes to living environments caused by COVID-19 and the threat of borderless wars, we are seeing values change dramatically. Against this backdrop, rather than a conventional three-year management plan, the DIC Group recently formulated DIC Vision 2030, a rolling long-term management plan. The role of our technical departments in this management plan is immense. To ensure the plan’s success, we will work to realize technologies that position us to go on the offense, rather than those that are more defensive in nature, as well as to promote technological development that capitalizes on our global presence and maximize individual capabilities.

From Adding Depth to Existing Technologies to Pursuing New Technologies

The DIC Group’s ability to add depth to existing basic technologies has led to a wide range of products that contribute to society. Transforming our business portfolio, a key focus of our new long-term management plan, will also require searching for completely new basic technologies, as well as technologies that emphasize sustainability or other new criteria. The Group has thus already begun to allocate significant management and other resources to development that involves not only modifying—i.e., adding depth to—existing technologies but also creating and adopting, that is, searching for, brand new technologies. At the same time, through the marketing efforts of our technical departments, we are also seeking to discover new applications and markets for both existing and new technologies with the aim of helping customers address current issues and issues not yet acknowledged.

Integrating R&D Functions to Create One Global Lab

In fiscal year 2021, the DIC Group welcomed a new member with the acquisition of the Colors & Effects business from BASF, further enhancing its global business structure in the colors, packaging and graphics businesses. DIC and Sun Chemical have long cooperated in the area of R&D, which has led to a number of important achievements. Recognizing that the addition of the Colors & Effects business will create a stronger, three-company R&D configuration to underpin the implementation of the strategies of DIC Vision 2030, the Group is integrating product development, including by promoting joint R&D and the sharing of information, as well as related functions such as patent, analysis, AI and marketing functions.

DIC、Sun Chemical、Colors & Effects のグローバル会議