Promoting Environment-Friendly Products

Promoting Environment-Friendly Products

The DIC Group is committed to effective stewardship of the products it provides. (For more information, please see page 51.) Conscious always of the importance of ensuring its products are friendly to the environment, DIC promotes the development of products and new technologies that are useful to society and works to increase the weighting of environment-friendly products in its portfolio, by reducing the volume of hazardous substances it uses, focusing on products that are less hazardous and products that facilitate recycling, and realizing safer production processes that generate less waste and use less energy. The Group has established internal rules for designating products “environment-friendly” and works to increase the weighting of products that have earned this designation in its portfolio. In fiscal year 2020, environment-friendly products accounted for 59% of all products put out by DIC and subsidiary DIC Graphics. The Group also strives to maintain a solid grasp of laws and regulations in different countries and territories, and of trends in environmental measures— thereby ensuring its ability to design products that comply with diverse regulations governing the use of chemical substances in different markets—and conducts environmental assessments on a continuous basis.
For printing inks, adhesives and other products used in food packaging, which the Group supplies to customers around the world, the DIC Group has established a global product stewardship team. The team shares information on regulations and relevant topics from different markets, as well as promotes awareness thereof and provides education. Knowledge thus gained is incorporated into product design and used to produce compliance certificates across the supply chain, which are essential for customers worldwide.

Since 2003, DIC has used a proprietary system for designating environment-friendly products and uses a proprietary sheet to evaluate products based on energy consumption, materials to be used, hazards and waste generated, as well as to conduct life cycle assessments.

Since 2003, DIC has used a proprietary system for designating environment-friendly products and uses a proprietary sheet to evaluate products based on energy consumption, materials to be used, hazards and waste generated, as well as to conduct life cycle assessments.

Introducing the DIC Sustainability Index

To ensure that stakeholders understand the true worth of DIC Group products and solutions that address social imperatives, in addition to being environment friendly, the Group introduced a proprietary sustainability index. The Group will begin using the DIC Sustainability Index in fiscal year 2022.

Products that Contribute to the Realization of Clean Technologies

The DIC Group develops materials that contribute to the realization of clean technologies designed to help resolve critical global environmental issues. Product divisions promote the development of clean technology–related products for individual target markets that leverage distinctive DIC capabilities. Overall annual sales of such products currently amount to approximately ¥146.0 billion.
The DIC Group is conscious of the need to promote the “3Rs” (“Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”) for resources. The Group is working to help reduce materials used by its customers in such areas as film for bread packaging and making products thinner while maintaining strength. To enhance the recyclability of plastic packaging, the Group is developing and launching deinking agents and other innovative products. The Group is also taking active steps to help reduce waste plastic and marine plastics, recognizing these as challenges that, as a manufacturer of fine chemicals, it has a responsibility to address.

Environment-Friendly Web Offset Ink

Although its Web World SYNERGY web offset inks, which are used widely in the printing of flyers and magazines, satisfy certification requirements for vegetable oil–based inks, DIC Graphics continues working to increase the amount of vegetable oil used to enhance the environmental performance of products in this series.
DIC Graphics is also striving to further advance the use of recycled raw materials in these inks, as well as to expand its product ranges in which petroleum-based solvents have been replaced with vegetable oil–derived ingredients. In February 2016, the Group launched Web World SYNERGY ECORE, a new series of low temperature–drying web offset inks that help reduce CO₂ emissions attributable to use by customers.

Web World SYNERGY ECORE low temperature–drying web offset inks

Web World SYNERGY ECORE low temperature–drying web offset inks

The products of the DIC Group Clean Technology (Clean Technology)

Many DIC Group products are used as material in the market, and we continually strive to contribute to the field of Clean Technology (Clean Technology) related to resolve global environmental problems.
In order to efficiently promote, each business segment targets markets to develop products in Clean Technology field using their strength, and the current revenue size is estimated roughly ¥165.4 billion as a whole.

Energy

01Binders for lithium-ion batteries

Clean TechEnergy Efficiency
Explanation of the application from the viewpoint of Clean TechCathode binder for lithium-ion batteries (LIB)
Business SegmentsPolymers

02Binders for lithium-ion battery separators

Clean TechEnergy Efficiency
Explanation of the application from the viewpoint of Clean TechBinders for separators in lithium-ion batteries
Business SegmentsLiquid Compounds

03Adhesives for solar cell backsheets

Clean TechAlternative Energy
Explanation of the application from the viewpoint of Clean TechAdhesives for solar cell backsheets
Business SegmentsLiquid Compounds

04Adhesives for lithium-ion battery packs

Clean TechEnergy Efficiency
Explanation of the application from the viewpoint of Clean TechAdhesives for lithium-ion battery packs
Business SegmentsLiquid Compounds

05PPS compounds (fuel cell component materials)

Clean TechAlternative Energy
Explanation of the application from the viewpoint of Clean TechFuel cell components (Industrial & residential, insulating plate & manifold) Fuel cell peripherals (Industrial & residential, water piping)
Business SegmentsSolid Compounds

06White masterbatch for photovoltaic backing sheets and encapsulants

Clean TechAlternative Energy
Explanation of the application from the viewpoint of Clean TechPhotovoltaic backing sheets and white masterbatches (SPUNDYE, PEONY)
Business SegmentsSolid Compounds

Electronics

07Pigments for color filters

Clean TechEnergy Efficiency
Explanation of the application from the viewpoint of Clean TechLC display materials
Business SegmentsFine Chemicals

08Resins for LED substrates

Clean TechGreen Building
Explanation of the application from the viewpoint of Clean TechAmidoimide resin for LED white substrates (energy saving)
Business SegmentsPolymers

09Encapsulant and resin for circuit boards

Clean TechPollution Prevention & Control
Explanation of the application from the viewpoint of Clean TechEpoxy resins (halogen-free) for encapsulants and circuit boards
Business SegmentsPolymers

10Nanosilver ink

Clean TechPollution Prevention & Control
Explanation of the application from the viewpoint of Clean TechCopper plating catalyst (resource saving)
Business SegmentsLiquid Compounds

11PPS compounds (LED sockets, etc.)

Clean TechGreen Building
Explanation of the application from the viewpoint of Clean TechLED sockets (heat radiation)
Business SegmentsSolid Compounds

Coating

12Water-based resins for paints

Clean TechPollution Prevention & Control
Explanation of the application from the viewpoint of Clean TechWater-based polyester resins for paints, acrylic resins, silicone resins, and isocyanate resins
Business SegmentsPolymers

13UV curable resin for hard coating

Clean TechEnergy Efficiency
Explanation of the application from the viewpoint of Clean TechSilica hybrid hardcoat
Business SegmentsPolymers

14Resins for plant-based paints

Clean TechPollution Prevention & Control
Explanation of the application from the viewpoint of Clean TechResins for paints using plant-derived materials
Business SegmentsPolymers

15Resins for powder coating

Clean TechPollution Prevention & Control
Explanation of the application from the viewpoint of Clean TechSolid resin. Be free of organic solvents
Business SegmentsPolymers

16UV curing resin for optical disk surface coating

Clean TechPollution Prevention & Control
Explanation of the application from the viewpoint of Clean TechUV curing resin material for optical disks (non-VOC)
Business Segments Liquid Compounds

17EB curable coating

Clean TechPollution Prevention & Control
Explanation of the application from the viewpoint of Clean TechEB curable coating agent. Toxic gasesFor gravure offset printing.
Business SegmentsPrinting Inks

Automotive

18CFRP resins

Clean TechEnergy Efficiency
Explanation of the application from the viewpoint of Clean TechEpoxy resins for CFRP (weight reduction of aircraft and automobiles)
Business SegmentsPolymers

19Aluminum wire harness coating

Clean TechEnergy Efficiency
Explanation of the application from the viewpoint of Clean TechAluminum wire harness coating
Business SegmentsPolymers

20Water-based surface treatment agent for interior parts of vehicles

Clean TechPollution Prevention & Control
Explanation of the application from the viewpoint of Clean TechWater-based coatings material (low VOC)
Business Segments Liquid Compounds

21PPS compounds (HV/EV components), Automotive electronic control component materials

Clean TechEnergy Efficiency
Explanation of the application from the viewpoint of Clean TechHV/EV parts (motor parts & PCU parts & cooling parts, etc.)
Li-ion battery components (gaskets)
Electronic control components (various sensors for automotive)
Business SegmentsSolid Compounds

Living environment

22Synthetic/artificial leather water-based resins

Clean TechPollution Prevention & Control
Explanation of the application from the viewpoint of Clean TechSynthetic leather and artificial leather (replacement of solvent-based water-based leather)
Business SegmentsPolymers

23Solvent-free resins for synthetic/artificial leather

Clean TechPollution Prevention & Control
Explanation of the application from the viewpoint of Clean TechSynthetic leather and artificial leather (replacement of solvent-based leather with solvent-free type)
Business SegmentsPolymers

24Water-based pigment dispersion

Clean TechPollution Prevention & Control
Explanation of the application from the viewpoint of Clean TechColorants for textiles (reduction of wastewater)
Business Segments Liquid Compounds

25PPS compound (material for piping parts)

Clean TechEnergy Efficiency
Explanation of the application from the viewpoint of Clean TechEnergy-saving hot water heater parts (Eco Cute, Eco Joz, etc., valves, servos, etc.)
Business SegmentsSolid Compounds

26Master Batch of Colorant for Recycled Resin

Clean TechPollution Prevention & Control
Explanation of the application from the viewpoint of Clean TechRecycled plastics colorant master batches (SPUNDYE, PEONY, PLAMASTER)
Business SegmentsSolid Compounds

27Colorant master batch for yarn

Clean TechPollution Prevention & Control
Explanation of the application from the viewpoint of Clean TechMasterbatch (SPUNDYE) of colorant for yarn (Reduction of environmental impact of wastewater by replacing dyeing)
Business SegmentsSolid Compounds

28Hollow fiber membrane module for degassing/defoaming

Clean TechPollution Prevention & Control
Explanation of the application from the viewpoint of Clean TechDeoxygenation module for boiler water supply: PF-030
Modules for defoaming developer: PF-004D
Defoaming modules for inkjet printers: EF-G Series
Business SegmentsApplication Materials

29Sheet-form heat storage material

Clean TechEnergy Efficiency
Explanation of the application from the viewpoint of Clean TechSheet-form heat storage material
Business SegmentsApplication Materials

30Non-solvent type double-coated adhesive tape

Clean TechPollution Prevention & Control
Explanation of the application from the viewpoint of Clean TechNon-solvent type double-coated adhesive tape
Business SegmentsApplication Materials

Digital printing

31Resins for casting 3D printers

Clean TechEnergy Efficiency
Explanation of the application from the viewpoint of Clean TechPhenolic resin for casting 3D printers (energy saving)
Business SegmentsPolymers

32Aqueous pigment dispersion for ink jet

Clean TechPollution Prevention & Control
Explanation of the application from the viewpoint of Clean TechAqueous digital printing material (low toxicity, low VOC)
Business SegmentsFine Chemicals

33UV curable Ink Jet inks

Clean TechPollution Prevention & Control
Explanation of the application from the viewpoint of Clean TechLED-UV curable digital printing inks (low VOC, low ozone, energy saving)
Business Segments Liquid Compounds

Packaging

34UV curable resin for ink

Clean TechEnergy Efficiency
Explanation of the application from the viewpoint of Clean TechUV curing resin for highly sensitive UV ink for LEDs
Business SegmentsPolymers

35Branched polystyrene for food packaging

Clean TechEnergy Efficiency
Explanation of the application from the viewpoint of Clean TechPolystyrene resin for food packaging (multiple branches)
Business SegmentsPolymers

36Solvent-free adhesives for lamination

Clean TechPollution Prevention & Control
Explanation of the application from the viewpoint of Clean TechAdhesives for flexible packaging materials that do not use any organic solvents
Business SegmentsPrinting Inks

37Adhesives for lamination (using biomass-derived materials)

Clean TechPollution Prevention & Control
Explanation of the application from the viewpoint of Clean TechAdhesives for flexible packaging materials containing at least 10% biomass -derived raw materials
Business SegmentsPrinting Inks

38Oxygen gas barrier lamination adhesive

Clean TechPollution Prevention & Control
Explanation of the application from the viewpoint of Clean TechTo reduce food loss by improving the oxygen gas barrier properties of packaging materials
Business SegmentsPrinting Inks

39Gravure ink (using biomass-derived materials)

Clean TechPollution Prevention & Control
Explanation of the application from the viewpoint of Clean TechGravure surface printing ink using biomass-derived raw materials such as rice bran and pine resins
Business SegmentsPrinting Inks

40Water-based flexo ink for laminated flexible packaging

Clean TechPollution Prevention & Control
Explanation of the application from the viewpoint of Clean TechLow VOC water-based flexo ink (VOC in ink: < 5%)
Business SegmentsPrinting Inks

41Vegetable oil leaf ink

Clean TechPollution Prevention & Control
Explanation of the application from the viewpoint of Clean TechOily sheet-fed ink, eco-mark products, and vegetable-oil ink products
Business SegmentsPrinting Inks

42Vegetable oil offset ink

Clean TechPollution Prevention & Control
Explanation of the application from the viewpoint of Clean TechOff-wheel ink, eco-mark products, and vegetable oil ink products
Business SegmentsPrinting Inks

43UV Offset printing ink

Clean TechPollution Prevention & Control
Explanation of the application from the viewpoint of Clean TechHigh-sensitivity UV ink, eco-mark compatible products, and high-sensitivity UV (light-reducing printing, H-UV, LED) compatible
Business SegmentsPrinting Inks

44UV curable metal ink

Clean TechPollution Prevention & Control
Explanation of the application from the viewpoint of Clean TechUV curable metal ink
Business SegmentsPrinting Inks

Life Cycle Assessments: Currently Under Consideration

In recent years, manufacturers have been required to quantify their consumption of nonrenewable resources and their emissions of substances that negatively affect the environment. In response to this and other trends driven by common concerns, DIC is currently considering the introduction of life cycle assessment (LCA) initiatives to ensure it fully grasps the various environmental impacts of all DIC Group products, as well as the adoption of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol’s*1 Scope3*2 standard.

  • The Greenhouse Gas Protocol, or GHG Protocol, is a suite of standards for calculating and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Scope 3 is the GHG Protocol’s standard for calculating indirect greenhouse gas emissions resulting from production, transport, business travel and commuting, among others, across entire supply chains.