DIC (China) Co., Ltd.

Founded in 1908 by manufacturing and selling printing inks, establishing the predecessor of DIC, 'Kawamura Ink Manufacturing'.

Kawamura Ink Manufactory is established. Popular and consumer culture evolved swiftly in Japan following the Russo-Japanese War with the rapid modernization of daily life. Underscored by the launch of numerous magazines devoted to the arts and a boom in the popularity of picture postcards, as well as by rising demand for attractive packaging for cosmetics and food products, a revitalized cultural scene had a direct and positive impact on demand for printing services, spurring the growth of Japan's printing industry. Recognizing the potential of this trend, Kijuro Kawamura resolved to go into business as a manufacturer of printing inks and established Kawamura Ink Manufactory. Kawamura set up a plant in Tokyo, installing three gas engine–powered 8x12-inch roll mills, and launched operations with just three employees, commissioning a traveling salesman to handle marketing. The new company began by manufacturing white, blue, yellow and red inks for woodblock, lithographic and typographic printing, all of which were in particularly high demand, purchasing raw materials (pigments and varnishes) and selling milled inks. Sales were brisk from the word go, ensuring the Company got off to a smooth start.

Founded the predecessor of DIC, the Kawamura Ink Manufacturing Company. Founder Kawamura Kijuro decided to start a business in the printing ink field, and began manufacturing inks such as white, indigo, yellow, and red at a factory in Tokyo City headquarters (now Sumida Ward). The company had three employees, and a sales specialist was also appointed. Production started with inks for woodblock, stone, and movable type printing, which were in high demand, and sales were strong.

Started developing local demand.

Developed local demand.

Cultivates demand in regional markets throughout Japan

Changed the company name to Kawamura Kijuro Shoten.

Changed the company name to 'Kawamura Kijuro Shoten'.

Changes Company name to Kawamura Kijuro Shoten

Succeeded in producing inorganic pigments. Noticing offset printing, which had just been introduced domestically, the company began full‑scale commercial printing in March 1914. Research into offset inks commenced, and production was successful in 1915.

Successfully manufactured inorganic pigments. Noticing offset printing, which had just been introduced domestically, began research on offset printing inks and succeeded in producing offset inks in 1915.

Succeeds in manufacturing inorganic pigments; Kawamura recognizes the potential of offset printing

In 1915, they finally succeeded in manufacturing commercially viable offset inks.

Signed a distributor agreement in Hankou, China, and began overseas expansion.

Commenced overseas expansion (agency agreement in Hankou, China).

Commences operations overseas (concludes agency contract in Hankow, China).

Started self‑sufficient production of organic pigments, taking a step as a chemical company. By chemically processing intermediates such as beta‑naphthol, the company established a method to manufacture organic pigments like Raykiredd D.

Started self‑sufficient production of organic pigments, taking a step forward as a chemical company.

Launch of production of own supply of organic pigments marks first step toward becoming a manufacturer of fine chemicals.

Expanded into Indonesia.

Expansion into Indonesia

Starts operations in Indonesia.

Started manufacturing varnish.

Commenced production of varnish

Begins production of varnishes.

Established as a corporate entity and changed the company name to Dai Nippon Ink Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

Established as a corporation named Dai Nippon Ink Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

Incorporates Dainippon Printing Ink Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

Opened a branch office in Beijing.

Opened a branch office in Beijing

Opens office in Beijing.

Developed water‑based gravure ink through material control. Research into alternative materials for natural resin also progressed, leading to the synthetic resin business.

Developed proprietary water-based gravure ink due to stringent material controls

Proprietary water-based gravure ink developed amid stringent government controls on the use of materials.

Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange

Jointly established Japan Reichhold Chemical Industries Co., Ltd. (JRC) with Reichhold Chemicals Incorporated. The uses of synthetic resin were diverse, forming the basis for business expansion.

Established a foreign‑capital joint venture to advance synthetic resin technology

Established DIC Investment Co., Ltd. as the China regional headquarters.

明治41年2月15日，本公司以印刷油墨的生产以及销售创业，今年迎来了100周年。

Signed a technology partnership agreement with Sun Chemical Co., USA.

Signed a technology partnership agreement with Sun Chemical of the United States

Built an integrated production system from raw materials to finished products. Entered the plastic molding and processing field, aiming to expand into building materials and molded products.

Built an integrated production system from raw materials to finished products to accelerate the rapid development of synthetic resin products

The synthetic resin business became an important pillar alongside inks and chemical products for our company, prompting further expansion and market development. Accordingly, we entered the plastic molding and processing sector, aiming to establish an integrated production system from raw materials to finished products. We partnered with a mid‑sized manufacturer experienced in molding and processing of cosmetic containers, helmets, and similar products, and later incorporated them into our group.

Using this as a starting point, we expanded into plastic molded products such as extrusion‑formed building materials and pipes, injection‑molded transport materials, and hollow molded items like poly‑tanks, which became the foundation for subsequent plastic and building material business development.

Opened a Hong Kong branch office as the first overseas location after the war.

Opened a Hong Kong branch office as the first overseas location after the war

Intensified production of resin colorants and modifiers.

Commenced full‑scale production of resin colorants and modifiers

Absorbed and merged JRC, changing the company name to Dai Nippon Ink Chemical Industries Co., Ltd. Provided technology to an ink manufacturing company in Australia.

Absorbed JRC and changed the company name to Dai Nippon Ink Chemical Industries Co., Ltd.

Provided technology to an ink manufacturing company in Australia

Established a resident office in Singapore.

Established a resident office in Singapore

Established a resident office in New York.

Established a resident office in New York

Established a new epoxy resin manufacturing process using petroleum residue as a raw material and began production in 1971.

Commenced sales of the DIC Color Guide, a benchmark for printing

Developed a domestic epoxy resin manufacturing process that effectively utilizes petroleum residues

These efforts led to the establishment in 1968 of a highly innovative process that used butane-butylene (B-B) fractions—byproducts of the cracking and conversion of naphtha into ethylene—as a starting material.

Completed the color sample book 'DIC Color Guide' and began sales. It influenced the printing and design industries domestically and abroad.

Commenced production of polystyrene.

Commenced production of polystyrene

Established DIC Europe in West Germany

Starts manufacturing polystyrene

Establishes Dainippon Ink & Chemicals (Europe) GmbH

Developed the UV-curable ink 'Dai Cure' using high-sensitivity photosensitive resin. It contributed to printing on non-porous materials and improved drying processes.

Entered the multilayer film market for packaging

Developed Japan's first UV-curable ink 'Dai Cure'

Established DIC America in the United States and DIC Hong Kong in Hong Kong

Enters the market for coextruded multilayered films for packaging

Development of Daicure, Japan's first UV-curable ink

The completion of a newly built plant in 1971 paved the way for DIC to launch production of epoxy resins.

Developed nematic liquid crystals with a lifespan exceeding 10,000 hours and released the liquid crystal display calculator 'ELC-Mite EL-805' from Sharp.

Developed high-performance, long-life nematic liquid crystal

Sharp released the world's first LCD calculator 'Elcimite EL-805'

DIC introduced nematic LCs with a useful life of 10,000 hours, becoming the first company in the world to commercialize nematic LCs that delivered a commercially viable level of performance. This achievement earned the Company considerable praise both in Japan and overseas. In the same year, Sharp Corporation launched the Elsi Mate EL-805, the world's first pocket electronic calculator incorporating a liquid crystal display (LCD) made with liquid crystals supplied by DIC—an achievement that was to usher in the age of LCDs.

Released the spirulina health food 'Lina Green'.

Released Spirulina health food 'Rina Green'

Launches Linagreen Spirulina-based nutritional supplement.

Acquired the U.S. company Polychrome and entered the printing plate material market.

Entered the printing plate material market by acquiring Polychrome Inc. in the United States

Acquires U.S. graphic arts materials manufacturer Polychrome Corp.

Commenced production of PPS compound and established a representative office in Sydney.

Started production of PPS compounds

Established a representative office in Sydney

Begins production of polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) compounds.

Establishes representative office in Sydney.

Developed fluorine-based fire extinguishing agents.

Developed fluorine-based fire extinguishing agents

Develops fluorinated foam fire extinguishing agents.

Established a representative office in Seoul.

Opened a representative office in Seoul

Establishes representative office in Seoul.

Acquired the Graphic Arts Materials division of Sun Chemical to strengthen international competitiveness

In a bid to reinforce its global competitiveness, DIC acquires the graphic arts materials division of U.S. firm Sun Chemical.

Acquired Sun Chemical's Graphic Arts Materials division, becoming the world's largest printing ink company.

In pursuit of further strengthening our international competitiveness, we acquired the Graphic Arts Materials division of Sun Chemical, a leading American chemical manufacturer with which we had partnered since 1954. In fiscal year 1985, this division accounted for approximately $560 million in sales, representing 63% of Sun Chemical's total revenue, and generated about $40 million in operating profit. It was the largest and most successful in the United States in terms of core printing inks and organic pigments.

Acquired Reichhold Chemicals.

Acquired Reichhold Chemicals Inc. in the United States

Acquires Reichhold Chemicals Inc. of the United States

Successfully developed high-performance hollow fiber membranes.

Successfully developed high-performance hollow fiber membranes

Succeeds in developing high-performance deoxygenating membrane

Opened the Kawamura Memorial Museum.

Opened the Kawamura Memorial Museum

Opens the Kawamura Memorial Museum of Art

Established a representative office in Vietnam.

Established a representative office in Vietnam

Establishes representative office in Vietnam

Developed products using recyclable plastic and the easily removable double-sided tape 'Daitack #8800CH' for home appliance and OA equipment manufacturers, complying with the Home Appliance Recycling Law.

Provided products that meet the requirements of appliance manufacturers in preparation for the implementation of the Home Appliance Recycling Act

Established Kodak Polychrome Graphics (KPG) through a joint venture with Eastman Kodak in the United States

DIC responds to demands from manufacturers seeking to comply with Japan's new law for the recycling of specified home appliances

Establishes Kodak Polychrome Graphics (KPG) in a joint venture with Eastman Kodak Company of the United States

Developed the plant-oil-based ink 'New Champion Naturalis 100' amid growing environmental awareness and received the Nikkei Excellent Product & Service Award.

Developed 100% vegetable oil ink reflecting increased social environmental awareness.

Acquired the printing ink division (Coates) of French company Totalfina.

Spurred by rising awareness of environmental issues, DIC develops a 100% vegetable oil–based printing ink

Established DIC Asia Pacific as a holding company for the Asia-Pacific region.

Established DIC Asia Pacific as a consolidated company for the Asia-Pacific region.

Built a master plant for printing inks and organic pigments in Nantong, and a resin plant for paints in Zhongshan.

Built a master plant for printing ink and organic pigments in Nantong, China.

Constructed a resin plant for coatings in Zhongshan, China.

Established DAI SHENG Investment Co., Ltd.

Established DIC Investment Co., Ltd. as a consolidated company in China.

Establishes DIC (China) Co., Ltd., a holding company for DIC Group companies in the PRC

Built a resin and resin colorant plant in Zhangjiagang. Repaid the capital contribution from KPG and sold the Reichhold Group.

Built a resin and resin coloring agent plant in Zhangjiagang, China.

Returned capital from KPG's investment.

Sold the Reichhold Group.

On the occasion of its 100th anniversary, changed its company name to 'DIC Corporation'.

Changed the company name to DIC Corporation on its 100th anniversary.

Merged with The InkTech and established DIC Graphics.

Integrated The Inktech and domestic printing ink business, establishing DIC Graphics.

Establishes DIC Graphics Corporation

Developed the green pigment 'G58 Series' for liquid crystal color filters.

Developed the green pigment 'G58 Series' for LCD color filters.

DIC Develops G58 series green pigments for color filters

Built a mother plant for environmentally friendly packaging inks in Nantong. Also advanced the construction of an Austrian factory and expansion of PPS compounds.

Built a master plant for environmentally responsive packaging ink in Nantong, China.

Expanded global development and production sites for PPS compounds, starting with the construction of an Austrian plant.

Established a printing ink technology center in Thailand.

Established a printing ink technology center in Thailand.

Established a polymer technology center in Thailand.

Completed the new headquarters building 'DIC Building' in Nihonbashi.

First listed as a constituent stock of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index Asia Pacific.

Established a polymer technology center in Thailand.

Completed the new headquarters building 'DIC Building' in Nihonbashi.

First listed as a constituent of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index Asia Pacific.

Completes reconstruction of corporate headquarters in Nihonbashi, Tokyo

Selected for inclusion in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices Asia Pacific Index

Changes Company name to DIC Corporation

Established the brand slogan 'Color & Comfort' and began branding.

Built a new factory for liquid ink for packaging.

Established the brand slogan 'Color & Comfort' and launched branding.

Built a new liquid ink plant for packaging in Turkey.

Introduces new branding program based on the brand slogan "Color & Comfort"

Entered into a capital and business alliance with Taiyo Holdings (investment of 24.9 billion yen) and promoted the development of next‑generation materials for electronic components and semiconductors.

Capital and business alliance with Sun Holdings, a world leader in solder resist market share.

Enters capital and business alliance with Taiyo Holdings Co., Ltd.

Acquired the Colors & Effects business from BASF Germany.

Acquisition of the pigment business (Colors & Effects) from Germany's BASF.

Acquires the Colors & Effects business of BASF SE

Acquired PCAS Canada Inc. in Canada.

Acquisition of PCAS Canada Inc. (semiconductor photoresist polymer).

Acquires Canadian photoresist polymers manufacturer PCAS Canada Inc.