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DIC Corporation
Manufacturer VerifiedJapan

DIC Corporation

DIC / Sun Chemical

DIC Corporation (DIC Corporation) is the world's largest manufacturer of printing inks and organic pigments, founded in 1908 in Tokyo, Japan. Through its wholly-owned subsidiary Sun Chemical, DIC commands approximately 43% of the global printing ink market, making it the undisputed leader in eco-friendly printing consumables. With annual revenue of ¥1,052.2 billion (2025), the company operates 100

JapanEst. 190820,884¥1,052.2B (2025)100+ production bases in 60+ countriesTSE: 4631Score 91

Business Nature

Global Leader in Printing Inks and Organic Pigments: Vertically integrated from pigment synthesis to finished ink formulations.
163 subsidiaries and 100+ production bases across 60+ countries globally.
Core strengths in bio-based ink chemistry, low-migration food-contact packaging inks, and energy-curable UV/EB systems. Controls the entire value chain from raw material synthesis to global distribution.

Core Business Areas

Plant-Based Inks — Core Strength
• Soy-based and vegetable oil-based offset printing inks
• BIOBRID® hybrid UV curing ink with 50% biomass-derived content
• Negative product carbon footprint bio-renewable black pigment
• NC-free surface printing inks for flexible packaging

7.4 Smart Degradable Materials — Emerging Focus
• Bio-based polyurethane resins for compostable packaging
• Water-based barrier coatings replacing plastic laminates
• De-inkable and recyclable ink systems for circular economy

7.5 Industrial Eco-Friendly Auxiliaries — High Growth
• Low-migration UV/EB curing systems for food-contact packaging
• VOC-free water-based flexo and gravure inks
• LED-curable inks reducing energy consumption by up to 80%

10.3 Industrial Printing Consumables — Volume Leader
• Offset printing inks for commercial and publication printing
• Flexographic and gravure inks for corrugated and flexible packaging
• Digital printing inks for high-speed inkjet systems
• Specialty coatings and varnishes with enhanced sustainability profiles

Industry Rankings

Corporate Report

DIC Corporation, founded in 1908 in Tokyo, Japan, is the world's largest manufacturer of printing inks and organic pigments. Through its wholly-owned subsidiary Sun Chemical Corporation, DIC commands approximately 43% of the global printing ink market, generating net sales of ¥1,052.2 billion ($7.3 billion USD) and operating profit of ¥52.2 billion in fiscal 2025. The company employs over 20,884 people across 60+ countries and operates 100+ production bases worldwide.

Core Business

DIC's business is built on three fundamental pillars: Printing Inks & Supplies, Fine Chemicals, and Polymers. Its printing ink division, amplified by the global reach of Sun Chemical, dominates the eco-friendly packaging consumables market. The company has pioneered breakthrough technologies including BIOBRID® hybrid UV curing ink with 50% biomass-derived content, the world's first negative product carbon footprint (PCF) bio-renewable black pigment, and nitrocellulose-free (NC-free) surface printing inks designed for full circular economy compatibility. DIC serves virtually every major global brand owner in food & beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and consumer goods packaging.

Global Presence

The DIC Group operates an unparalleled global network of 163 consolidated subsidiaries spanning 60+ countries and regions. Its manufacturing backbone includes 10 major factories and a central R&D laboratory in Japan, complemented by Sun Chemical's extensive production infrastructure across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. In 2025, DIC expanded its bio-based resin production capacity with a new dedicated facility in Singapore and strengthened its presence in emerging markets through new green ink distribution centers in India. The group holds over 10,407 active patents, reflecting its century-long commitment to materials science innovation.

Key Strengths

DIC's competitive moat rests on its vertically integrated chemical value chain — from pigment synthesis to finished ink formulation — which few competitors can replicate. Its 43% global market share creates immense economies of scale, while forward-looking investments in bio-based and energy-curable technologies position it at the forefront of the industry's green transition. The company's ability to offer total packaging solutions (inks, coatings, adhesives, and color management) makes it the preferred single-source partner for multinational brand owners navigating increasingly complex global regulatory landscapes. VerityRank Score of 87/100.

VerityRank Score

91/ 100

Based on market presence, financial scale, operational capacity, and brand strength.

Quick Facts

Headquarters

DIC Building, 7-20, Nihonbashi 3-chome, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-8233, Japan

Founded

1908

Employees

20,884

Factories

100+ production bases in 60+ countries

Data Sources & Methodology

This corporate profile is compiled from publicly available sources including company annual reports, SEC/regulatory filings, official press releases, and verified third-party industry databases. Key references include NYSE, Economy Insights, Sustainability Magazine, and PitchBook. Financial figures reflect the most recent fiscal year disclosures and are cross-validated across multiple independent references.

VerityRank Score is calculated using a proprietary multi-dimensional model evaluating market presence, financial strength, operational scale, innovation capacity, and brand influence. Individual dimension scores are normalized against industry peers and updated quarterly.

Disclaimer: This profile is for informational purposes only. VerityRank makes no warranties regarding completeness or timeliness. This content does not constitute investment advice or endorsement.