DIC

Basic Information

Stock Code
4631
Industry
Chemicals
Category Detail
Chemicals & Chemical Products
Prefecture
Tokyo
Establishment Year
March 1937
Listing Year
May 1950
Official Website
https://www.dic-global.com/
TSE Information
TSE Information
Yahoo! Finance
Yahoo! Finance
Other Companies
Dainichiseika Color & Chemicals, Dainippon Toryo, Nippon Paint Holdings, Kansai Paint, Chugoku Marine Paints, Fujikura Composites, Taiyo HD, Natoco, SK Kaken, Sakata INX, artience, Makino F, Sumitomo Realty

Overview

DIC Corporation is a chemical manufacturer founded in 1937, boasting the world's top market share in printing inks, organic pigments, and synthetic resins, and operating its business in more than 60 countries around the world.

Current Situation

DIC's consolidated sales for the fiscal year ended December 2023 were approximately ¥1.00387 trillion, with a focus on strengthening sales of printing inks and synthetic resins in Asian and Western markets. The company is concentrating on product development in high-performance materials and PPS compounds, and possesses numerous global production and research bases. It has strengthened its business foundation through aggressive M&A, such as the acquisition of BASF's pigment business in 2021 and the full acquisition of PCAS Canada in 2023. It has received the Certified Health & Productivity Management Outstanding Organization certification for 7 consecutive years, is proactive in sustainability management, and is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market. Moving forward, under the brand slogan 'Color & Comfort,' it will focus on expanding functional materials and developing environmentally responsive products, aiming for sustainable growth toward 2030.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • DIC Color Guide is the most widely used color sample book with top share in Japan
  • Changed company name from Dainippon Ink and Chemicals to DIC to commemorate 100th anniversary
  • Boasts world-top technology share in PPS compounds field
  • Operates DIC Kawamura Memorial Museum and actively supports culture and arts
  • Pioneering company that achieved early globalization through overseas acquisitions
  • Yokkaichi plant's annual polystyrene production capacity is 218,000 tons
  • Certified as Health & Productivity Management Outstanding Organization for 7 consecutive years
  • Diversified business with three pillars of inks, pigments, and synthetic resins as a community-oriented manufacturer
  • Established mother plant for environmentally responsive packaging inks in China
  • Expanded business by acquiring French TotalFina's printing ink division in 1999
  • Established DIC Graphics Co., Ltd. by spinning off printing ink business in 2009
  • Brand slogan is 'Color & Comfort,' beloved in a wide range of markets
  • Also handles electronic materials such as high-function pigments and LCD materials
  • Head office located in Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
  • Has continued aggressive overseas expansion and M&A for over a quarter century

Hidden Connections

  • Established Taisei Construction Housing in 1997 through joint investment, collaborating with construction industry
  • Built strategic partner relationships with numerous major manufacturers and trading companies
  • Rich history of technical alliances and business acquisitions with global chemical giants such as BASF and Sun Chemical
  • Collaborating with public institutions, universities, and NGOs to engage in broad social contribution activities
  • Certified White 500 for 7 consecutive years by Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's Health & Productivity Management Outstanding Organization
  • Deeply involved in industry supply chains by covering diverse material fields
  • Brand strength and technology highly evaluated both domestically and internationally
  • Engages in long-term charitable activities such as disaster recovery support and local cultural promotion

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Increasing demand for printing inks in emerging markets centered on Asia
  • Market expansion of environmentally responsive products and response to stricter regulations
  • New application development through technological innovation in functional pigments and high-performance resins
  • Increased material demand due to growth in semiconductor and electronic materials markets
  • Efficiency improvements through strengthened global production and sales network
  • Response to health management and rising corporate social responsibility awareness
  • Productivity improvements through digital transformation
  • Market acquisition through rapid response to diversifying customer needs
  • Construction of sustainable material circulation systems
  • Enhanced customer loyalty through brand strengthening
  • Accelerated innovation through expanded R&D investment
  • Further diversification of business portfolio through M&A strategy

Strategic Goals

  • Achieve over 70% ratio of environmentally responsive products
  • Expand overseas sales ratio to over 60%
  • Maintain world-top market share in high-function materials market
  • Achieve 50% reduction in CO2 emissions
  • Continue health management certification and improve employee satisfaction
  • Achieve ¥200 billion in new business sales
  • Company-wide operational efficiency and quality improvement through DX
  • Build sustainable supply chain
  • Promote global diversity management and talent development
  • Strengthen symbiotic activities with local communities

Business Segments

Printing Ink Business

Overview
Provides a wide range of printing inks and related materials for commercial and packaging printing.
Competitiveness
High-quality technological development capabilities and global production system
Customers
  • Printing companies
  • Packaging manufacturers
  • Advertising agencies
  • Commercial printing companies
  • Publishers
  • Label printing companies
  • Packaging material manufacturers
  • Product designers
Products
  • Printing inks
  • Packaging inks
  • Varnishes
  • Special inks
  • UV inks
  • Water-based inks
  • Inkjet inks

Synthetic Resins and Pigments Business

Overview
Provides high-function materials for automobiles, electronic components, etc.
Competitiveness
Customer responsiveness through technological capabilities and material diversity
Customers
  • Paint manufacturers
  • Automotive manufacturers
  • Electronics manufacturers
  • Building materials manufacturers
  • Plastic molding companies
  • Industrial manufacturers
Products
  • Synthetic resins
  • Organic pigments
  • Modifiers
  • Fluorochemicals
  • Alkylphenols
  • Sulfur-based petroleum additives

PPS Compounds Business

Overview
Plastic products for industries requiring heat resistance and strength.
Competitiveness
World-top market share manufacturing technology
Customers
  • Automotive parts manufacturers
  • Electronic parts manufacturers
  • High-function plastic processors
Products
  • PPS resin compounds
  • High heat-resistant plastic materials

Packaging Adhesives and Films Business

Overview
Supplies high-quality packaging materials for food and pharmaceuticals.
Competitiveness
Capability to provide products compliant with safety standards
Customers
  • Food packaging companies
  • Pharmaceutical packaging companies
  • Logistics companies
Products
  • Multi-layer films
  • Food adhesives
  • Packaging materials

Liquid Crystal Materials Business

Overview
Provides advanced liquid crystal materials specialized for display applications.
Competitiveness
Development capabilities for high-performance LCD materials
Customers
  • LCD panel manufacturers
  • Smartphone manufacturers
  • Display manufacturers
Products
  • Organic materials for LCDs
  • Pigments for color filters

Functional Pigments and Special Materials Business

Overview
Manufactures and provides market-specific functional materials.
Competitiveness
Diverse pigment functions and applicability
Customers
  • Electronics manufacturers
  • Automotive manufacturers
  • Printing and packaging material manufacturers
Products
  • Functional pigments
  • Magnetic tape materials
  • Special compounds

Industrial Adhesive Tape Business

Overview
Deploys high-function adhesive products for industrial applications.
Competitiveness
High heat resistance and strong adhesion technology
Customers
  • Automotive parts manufacturers
  • Electronic parts manufacturers
  • Home appliance manufacturers
Products
  • High-performance adhesive tapes
  • Heat-resistant adhesives

Environmentally Responsive Materials Business

Overview
Provides environmentally considerate product lineup to pursue sustainability.
Competitiveness
Early development of environmentally responsive technologies
Customers
  • Packaging material manufacturers
  • Recycling-related companies
  • Food manufacturers
Products
  • Plant oil-derived inks
  • Recyclable adhesives
  • Environmentally safe pigments

Healthcare Food Business

Overview
Deploys spirulina as the mainstay health-oriented product.
Competitiveness
Proprietary spirulina production technology
Customers
  • Health food retailers
  • Mail-order companies
  • Drugstores
  • Specialty stores
Products
  • Spirulina products
  • Nutritional supplements

R&D Support Business

Overview
Services to support customers' R&D from a technical perspective.
Competitiveness
Accumulated chemical technology over many years
Customers
  • Manufacturing companies
  • Academic research institutions
  • Technology development departments
Products
  • Technical consulting
  • Joint research programs
  • Testing and evaluation services

Global Sales and Support

Overview
Deploys distribution and customer support in more than 60 countries worldwide.
Competitiveness
Multi-country network
Customers
  • Overseas agents
  • Local production bases
  • Logistics providers
Products
  • Sales management systems
  • Logistics support
  • Local subsidiary support

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • World-top market share in printing ink and pigment technology
  • Global business expansion and manufacturing bases
  • Diverse product lineup and material technology
  • Brand strength backed by long history
  • Business expansion through strategic M&A
  • Robust R&D system
  • Provision of high-quality, environmentally considerate products
  • Track record of Certified Health & Productivity Management Outstanding Organization
  • Deep transaction relationships with a wide range of industries
  • Flexible customer responsiveness and diversity
  • Advanced material development capabilities
  • Global sales network
  • Stable financial base
  • Initiatives toward sustainable product development
  • Broad coverage of product applications

Competitive Advantages

  • Capable of integrated production from printing inks to functional resins, responding broadly to customer needs
  • Deployed in over 60 countries, with a strong distribution base in global markets
  • Strengthened product lineup through strategic acquisitions such as BASF's pigment business
  • Boasts world-top market share in PPS compounds, with superiority in high-function materials market
  • Provides products compliant with safety standards in food packaging ink field, securing market competitiveness
  • Technological development capabilities and broad product portfolio corresponding to diverse industries
  • Enhanced talent acquisition through enriched employee health management via Certified Health & Productivity Management Outstanding Organization
  • Promotion of sustainable management through early introduction of environmentally responsive products
  • Fast development speed for cutting-edge materials through continuous R&D investment
  • Stable sales base through long-term transactions with major customers
  • Technology sharing and market development capabilities through global alliances
  • Able to respond to segmented customer needs by leveraging diverse sales channels
  • Established efficient supply system through region-specific research and production bases
  • Capable of covering diverse chemical products with one company, providing total solutions
  • Strong market penetration leveraging powerful brand recognition

Threats

  • Cost pressures from global raw material price fluctuations
  • Impact of overseas political risks and exchange rate fluctuations
  • Intensifying price competition from competitors
  • Increased product improvement costs due to stricter environmental regulations
  • Potential market share decline due to emergence of new technologies and alternative materials
  • Supply chain disruption risks
  • Intellectual property infringement risks
  • Burden of responding to changes in health and safety regulations
  • Uncertainty in overseas operations due to geopolitical tensions
  • Difficulty in responding to rapid changes in customer needs
  • Decline in productivity due to labor shortages
  • Impact of climate change on raw material supply and production

Innovations

2021: Acquisition of BASF's Pigment Business

Overview
Acquired Colors & Effects business from German BASF, expanding pigment operations.
Impact
Expanded pigment product lineup and strengthened market share.

2023: Full Acquisition of PCAS Canada Inc.

Overview
Acquired manufacturer and seller of semiconductor photoresist polymers, strengthening electronic materials business.
Impact
Contributes to expansion of semiconductor-related materials business.

2020: Development of Environmentally Responsive Packaging Inks

Overview
Developed 100% plant oil-based inks using vegetable oils, achieving reduced environmental impact.
Impact
Expanded portfolio of products compliant with environmental regulations.

2022: Development of Next-Generation LCD Color Filter Pigments

Overview
Developed new color filter pigments for high-definition LCD displays, improving product performance.
Impact
Enhanced competitiveness in the display market.

2024: Development of Advanced Functional Pigments and Compounds

Overview
Advanced development of new materials for special magnetic tapes and high-function inks.
Impact
Increased sales in new application markets.

Sustainability

  • Selected as a constituent of Dow Jones Sustainability Index (Asia Pacific)
  • Certified Health & Productivity Management Outstanding Organization (White 500) for 7 consecutive years
  • Promotion of development of environmentally considerate products such as 100% plant oil inks
  • Implementation of CO2 emission reduction plans at manufacturing sites
  • Commercialization of recyclable films for packaging
  • Review of raw material procurement to reduce environmental impact
  • Conducting sustainability surveys of supply chain
  • Introduction of employee health promotion programs
  • Expansion of waste reduction and reuse material utilization
  • Operation of environmental education support programs for local communities
  • Strengthening environmental impact assessment across entire product lifecycle
  • Promotion of renewable energy utilization