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DIC Strengthens Environmental Investments in Outdoor Mass Algae Cultivation Facilities of U.S. and Chinese Subsidiaries

Seeking Further Improvement in Sustainability for the Global Environment and Society By Achieving Zero-Water Emission from the Plants

TOKYO — September 16, 2022 — DIC Corporation will promote environmental investments approximately US$9M at Earthrise (Earthrise Nutritionals, LLC, California), a U.S. subsidiary, and Hainan DIC (Hainan DIC Microalgae Co., Ltd., Hainan), a Chinese subsidiary, producing an edible blue-green algae, Spirulina, as well as the natural blue food colorant, LINABLUE®. This investment will realize zero water emission from both plants by January 2023.

Since 1978 when the company succeeded in outdoor mass cultivation of the blue-green algae Spirulina, as a pioneer, the company has pursued innovations in all aspects of outdoor mass algae cultivation technologies, including search for optimal culture conditions, useful algal strains, as well as reduction of water and fertilizer usage through improved production efficiency.

DIC position sustainability as an important management issue. In our management plan “DIC Vision 2030,” we have set a long-term reduction target for CO2 emissions toward carbon net zero by FY2050. While setting a goal of 50% reduction by 2030 (compared to 2013), making it clear that we will contribute to realization of decarbonized society.

Mr. Ichimoto, Product Manager of Healthcare Foods Product Group, says “Amid corporate ESG and SDGs initiatives are required these days, in order to strengthen the stable supply of high-quality products with fewer resources, we decide to invest a total of approximately US$9M in equipment, and this is in line with DIC sustainable policies.”

This investment enables DIC to improve the efficiency of water circulation and continuous use of culture solutions at both plants. And consequently, it realizes zero-water emission from the production facilities regardless of its mass cultivation of algae, namely aquaculture, and water extraction of LINABLUE®, a natural blue food colorant.

To date, we have been making tireless efforts to improve sustainability, such as the use of renewable energy more than 50% at Earthrise, or using biomass resources for energy at Hainan DIC, and effectively utilizing the by-product of LINABLUE® extraction at both plants. Our group has decided to make this environmental investment to further accelerate these efforts. The investment will be used for facility upgrades and equipment installation costs to achieve zero water emission.

In addition to this environmental investment, “We will seek for various types of algal cultivation technologies other than open outdoor mass cultivation in alliance with our bio-venture partners, and expansion of Bio-derived products portfolio.”

The DIC Group will continue to promote its sustainability strategies as an unique global company so to be trusted by society.

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About Sun Chemical
Sun Chemical, a member of the DIC Group, is a leading producer of packaging and graphic solutions, color and display technologies, functional products, electronic materials, and products for the automotive and healthcare industries. Together with DIC, Sun Chemical is continuously working to promote and develop sustainable solutions to exceed customer expectations and better the world around us. With combined annual sales of more than $8.5 billion and 22,000+ employees worldwide, the DIC Group companies support a diverse collection of global customers.

Sun Chemical Corporation is a subsidiary of Sun Chemical Group Coöperatief U.A., the Netherlands, and is headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey, U.S.A. For more information, please visit our website at www.sunchemical.com or connect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram or Twitter.

 

About Earthrise Nutritionals, LLC
A 100% subsidiary of DIC. The company is headquartered in Irvine, California. The company produces “Spirulina” algae for health food and “LINABLUE®” edible natural blue colorant by water extraction from Spirulina. Producing 550 tons of dried Spirulina annually by outdoor facility, one of the largest cultivation facilities in the world (approximately 190,000 m2). It has been only the company in the continental United States to conduct stable outdoor algal mass cultivation. In addition to FSSC 22000, which is the most advanced food safety certification, the company also has SMETA, a Global ethical certification.

About Hainan DIC Microalgae Co., Ltd.
A 100% subsidiary of DIC. The company is headquartered in Haikou, Hainan Province, China. Producing 350 tons of dried “Spirulina” as well as “LINABLUE®”. Equips various safety and reliable certifications same to Earthrise.

About DIC Corporation
DIC Corporation (DIC) is one of Japan’s most diversified fine chemical companies and the heart of the DIC Group. Worldwide, the DIC Group encompasses over 190 subsidiaries, including Sun Chemical Corporation, across 60+ countries. The DIC Group portfolio is organized into three segments: Packaging & Graphic, Color & Display, and Functional Products notably for electronic, automotive, and building materials. The DIC Group is constantly working to promote and develop sustainable solutions to exceed customer expectations and better the world around us. With combined annual sales of more than $8 billion and 22,000+ employees worldwide, DIC Group companies support a diverse collection of global customers. Please visit https://www.dic-global.com/en/ for more details.

Contact(s):

Heather Buchholz
Sun Chemical
Tel +1 708 236 3779
[email protected]

Matthew Parry
Mower
Tel: +1 315 413 4318
[email protected]