History
200+ Years of Innovation at Sun Chemical
Beginning with the inspiring legacy of Lorilleux and Samuel Morrill in the early 1800’s, Sun Chemical has delivered 200 years of color expertise, innovative technology and an ongoing commitment to quality and service for our customers. With close to 10,000 worldwide trademarks and over 3,000 granted patents in various global jurisdictions in its history, Sun Chemical takes pride in producing solutions tailor-made to meet the individual needs of customers.
Below is an interactive timeline that celebrates our long history of achievements and leadership in the industries and markets we serve. As you scroll down and learn more about our unique history, you will discover our fierce commitment to working for you through research and development that will bring customers new innovative and sustainable solutions.
Lorilleux is founded
April 20, 1818
One of the first commercial producers of inks is founded as Lorilleux & Cie. Lorilleux & Cie is the first specialty ink company of its kind, in a time when most printers make their own inks.
The introduction of carbon black
April 20, 1864
The Morrill Company begins producing carbon black from natural gas.
Coates Brothers & Company is founded
April 20, 1877
Located in London, the business is capitalized at 2600 £.
Ault & Wiborg is founded
January 1, 1878
Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, Ault & Wiborg is a fast-growing printing inks manufacturer that quickly expands its business abroad, focusing on the UK market.
Four-color process debuts
April 20, 1906
The Eagle Printing Ink Company develops four-color wet process inks.
The first litho press is invented
April 20, 1907
Fuchs & Lang build the first rotary tinplate lithography press. G. Siegle begins manufacturing pigments in Staten Island, NY.
Rotogravure is introduced
April 20, 1910
Rotogravure, a printing process in which letters and pictures are transferred from an etched copper cylinder to a web of paper, plastic or similar material in a rotary press, is invented.
Historic mergers
April 20, 1929
A.B. Ansbacher merges with G. Siegle and the Ansbacher-Siegle Company is formed. During the same year, The Morrill Company merges with Eagle, Sigmund Ullman, Fuchs & Lang and American to form General Printing Ink (GPI). GPI becomes the first ink manufacturer with coast-to-coast operations.
Pigmented flexo Inks
April 20, 1936GPI Corp’s Sun Chemical division develops the first pigmented flexo inks.
GPI becomes Sun Chemical
April 20, 1945
GPI changes its name and Sun Chemical is born. Printing inks remain its principal business.
Performance Pigments division is formed
April 20, 1957
Sun Chemical acquires Ansbacher-Siegle and begins to create a new division, known today as Performance Pigments.
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Solvent-based flexo inks are introduced
April 20, 1958
Solvent-based flexo inks are created for use on polyethylene films.
Federal Colors Laboratories is acquired
April 20, 1968
Sun Chemical buys Federal Color Labs in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The first UV inks
April 20, 1969Sun Chemical patents the first UV inks.
Sun Chemical grows
April 23, 1987
Sun Chemical is acquired by Dainippon Ink and Chemicals (DIC). Sun Chemical also merges with Hartmann and Kohl & Madden to form one global company.
US Ink is acquired
April 23, 1993
Sun Chemical acquires a top producer of cold-set publication inks, United States Printing Inks.
Sun Chemical grows globally
April 23, 1999The company acquires Coates Lorilleux in France, SWALE Process in the UK and GB Products International Flexo Plate Division, and partners with Tintas in Latin America.
Sun Branding Solutions is formed
April 23, 2006Sun Chemical acquires Watt Gilchrist and forms Sun Branding Solutions.
Frankfurt and Dahej packaging plant
April 23, 2010Sun Chemical opens state-of-the-art food packaging plant in Frankfurt and sheet-fed ink hub in Dahej, India.
Kankakee packaging plant
April 23, 2011Sun Chemical opens state-of-the-art packaging plant in Kankakee, IL, and expands into high definition plate technology in Concord, CA.
PantoneLIVE ™ and Benda-Lutz
April 23, 2012Partnership with X-Rite/Pantone and Esko on PantoneLIVETM Sun Chemical acquires Benda-Lutz.
Sun Chemical and DIC Corporation Acquire Luminescence Holdings Ltd.
February 6, 2018
Sun Chemical and its parent company, DIC Corporation, have acquired Luminescence Holdings Ltd., a manufacturer of currency, tax stamp, passports, ID cards, secure documents and brand protection inks for the security market.
Sun Chemical Names Myron Petruch President and Chief Executive Officer
January 1, 2019
Sun Chemical has appointed Myron Petruch as its President and Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2019.
Sun Chemical/DIC Acquire BASF’s Global Pigments Business
June 30, 2021
Sun Chemical and DIC Corporation Finalizes Acquisition means significant expansion of global pigments expertise & innovation capabilities.
Sun Chemical Acquires SAPICI
January 10, 2022
Acquisition enables innovation in lamination adhesives, reinforcing its commitment to responsible care and addressing important trends.
The Future
As Sun Chemical moves forward, we will continue our commitment to delivering quality, service and innovation to our customers. As we relentlessly seek the most inventive ways to satisfy our customers’ needs, we will strive to provide outstanding service and breakthrough, tailored solutions. With more than 176 subsidiaries worldwide and a broad breadth and depth of resources from which to draw, Sun Chemical is prepared to help our customers take on the global challenges of tomorrow.