DIC Reports ¥523.2 Billion Sales and 104% Profit Growth in First Half of 2025

DIC Corporation, the world’s largest ink group, announced its financial results for the first half of 2025, ending June 30. Despite global economic uncertainty and the impact of tariff policies, the company recorded consolidated net sales of ¥523.2 billion (about RMB 25.45 billion), down 2.9% compared with the same period last year. However, profits rose sharply. Operating profit increased 22.9% to ¥27.0 billion (about RMB 1.31 billion), while net profit attributable to shareholders more than doubled, surging 104% to ¥13.1 billion (about RMB 0.64 billion).

The significant profit growth was mainly driven by structural reforms and tighter cost controls. The Color & Display segment played a key role, benefiting from price adjustments and business restructuring in the U.S. and Europe, which reduced costs and turned losses into profits. In addition, non-recurring losses were much lower than a year ago, when heavy restructuring charges and investment write-offs weighed on earnings. This year, the absence of such costs provided a strong lift to net profit, although foreign exchange losses from a stronger yen had a negative impact.

Performance across business segments was mixed. Sales in the Packaging & Printing Materials segment fell 4.3% to ¥268.8 billion, and operating profit declined 11.9% to ¥13.4 billion. Demand weakened in Japan, the Americas, and Europe due to higher prices and tariff concerns, although China achieved growth by winning new customers and enhancing marketing efforts. The Color & Display segment saw sales slip 1.7% to ¥132.0 billion, but operating profit jumped more than thirteenfold to ¥5.7 billion thanks to higher-margin pigment products and strong demand for specialty applications. The Functional Products segment posted slightly lower sales of ¥143.0 billion, but operating profit rose to ¥10.9 billion as steady demand for digital materials and mobility solutions offset the cost impact of upfront investments.

Overall, DIC showed resilience in a challenging global environment. While sales declined, the company improved profitability through restructuring, cost control, and a focus on high-value products. Looking ahead, DIC has lowered its full-year sales forecast but expects operating profit to exceed initial projections. Ordinary profit was revised down due to foreign exchange losses, but net profit guidance remains unchanged, reflecting expectations of fewer non-recurring losses.