An organization that evolves with the times

The DIC Group has diversified from its beginnings as a manufacturer of printing inks, organic pigments and synthetic resins, and expanded its global presence through M&As and other efforts to evolve as a unique company that is trusted by society.

Basic technologies underpinning DIC’s evolution

Having established basic technologies in five key areas over 100-plus years, the DIC Group is fostering new technologies in important new areas such as inorganic materials design, biomaterials design and computational science.

Four mainstays of the DIC Group’s history that demonstrate its enterprising spirit and diverse global family

01Active expansion into new business areas

• Expansion of operations by building on core technologies in the areas of printing inks and synthetic resins, DIC’s original businesses
• Diversification based on a willingness to take on challenges cultivated since its establishment, underpinning its evolution from a manufacturer of printing inks to a chemicals manufacturer
• Designation of businesses centered on chemicals and materials for electronics applications as “chemitronics” and shift to focus on cultivating this as a next-generation growth business

02Development of uniquely DIC products that leverage superior technological capabilities

• Development of a 100% vegetable oil–based printing ink, spurred by rising public awareness of environmental issues
• Development of the G58 series of green pigments for use in color filters for LCDs, a world first. These pigments, which deliver marked increases in brightness and contrast compared with previous products, have secured an overwhelming share of the global green pigments market
• Development and launch of a surfactant that does not contain perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) using proprietary technology that delivers reduced environmental impact

03Early establishment of a presence overseas, becoming one of Japan’s first companies to do so

• Start of global expansion with the conclusion of agency agreement with trading company in China in 1919
• Establishment of presence in Indonesia in 1931
• Opening of first overseas office in the postwar period in Hong Kong in 1958

04Globalization of labor force and collaboration with overseas partners through bold M&A program

• Establishment of joint venture with a U.S. company in 1952
• Acquisition of the graphic arts materials division of Sun Chemical, the foremost producer of printing inks and organic pigments in the United States, in 1986
• Acquisition of Coates, the printing inks division of TOTALFINA, in 1999
• Acquisition of the Colors & Effects pigments business of Germany’s BASF in 2021

Creation of a global business configuration with more than 70% of employees and consolidated net sales overseas