Towards a society where everyone can travel safely and comfortably
We are taking on the challenge of product development that applies printing technology.

Since its invention, the automobile has become an indispensable part of society as a primary means of transportation for people. And now, under the keywords of "environment," "electrification," "autonomous driving," and "software," the automotive industry is undergoing a major transformation said to occur only once every 100 years.

In this context, the various materials and components that make up automobiles are now required to fulfill increasingly diverse and sophisticated roles and functions. Technologies are needed that enable the coexistence and balance of various values, such as superior design, reduced environmental impact, and integration with digital technologies.

DNP views these changes as a turning point for its mobility business and is working towards realizing a smart society.

DNP has been supplying decorative films for automotive interiors since the 1980s. By combining technologies that DNP has refined, such as printing technology on a variety of materials, precision coating technology that allows for thinner, wider, and more uniform coating, and post-processing technology for laminating other materials, DNP realistically reproduces the appearance of various materials such as metal, carbon, and wood, as well as diverse textures and tactile sensations achieved through embossing. By offering unique designs that leverage this wide range of expression as added value, DNP has been creating high-quality interior spaces for automobiles.

Furthermore, in the mobility sector, we are also focusing on addressing environmental needs. In Japan, the automobile recycling rate is at a high level of approximately 96% (FY2023 results)*1, and the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association has set a medium- to long-term roadmap to increase the proportion of recycled plastics in the plastics used in new car production in Japan to 15% or more by 2031, and to 20% or more from 2036 onwards*2.

To meet these standards, DNP has established mass production technology for decorative films based on PP (polypropylene). Traditionally, while PP is a material suitable for recycling, its poor ink adhesion has made it unsuitable for use in decorative films. DNP has overcome this challenge by leveraging its printing technology and know-how, achieving both aesthetic appeal and moldability. DNP is committed to developing and providing sustainable and high-performance mobility products.

• ※1 自動車リサイクル促進センターの調査結果より(別ウィンドウを開く)
• ※2 一般社団法人日本自動車工業会「再生材活用促進に向けた自工会の取組みについて」より(PDFを開く)

As automobiles become more multifunctional and smarter, new needs are constantly emerging in the mobility sector, such as the demand for HMI (Human-Machine Interface) in the in-car space that can display and operate various types of information. In response to these changes, DNP is strengthening its product development by combining its printing and information technologies with the strengths of its partners.

Tamura Plastic Products Co., Ltd., which became a group company in 2015, excels in plastic molding technology, such as for automotive side visors, and is demonstrating synergistic effects in expanding connections with automobile manufacturers. In addition, Hikari Metal Industries Co., Ltd., which became a group company in 2025, handles many automotive molded parts in the HMI (Human-Machine Interface) field, and is making significant progress in the development and manufacturing of products utilizing light-transmitting decorative films.

Light-transmitting decorative films have the characteristic of being "normally highly decorative panels, but when a light source is turned on, information is displayed through the film." For example, air conditioning and audio control buttons can be displayed on a wood-grain panel on the dashboard as needed, making them a component that can combine decorative spatial design with HMI functionality on a single surface. DNP is deepening its collaboration with partners and is working to build a system that can provide these highly functional films not as standalone products, but as complete products incorporated into molded parts, aiming to strengthen its ability to respond to the increasingly sophisticated needs of the automotive industry.

Through its "P&I Innovation" in the mobility sector, DNP aims to create a sustainable, next-generation form of "mobility" where people and technology harmonize, such as display-integrated interiors that combine intuitive operation with beautiful design.

One of the important themes is addressing autonomous driving, which is expected to become a reality with the advent of a smart society. In the future, communication will be necessary not only within the vehicle but also with the outside, such as between pedestrians and vehicles, so we are also considering applying HMI technology to exterior parts.
In terms of exterior applications, we are also working on utilizing film technology as an alternative to paint. This is expected to reduce CO₂ emissions and shorten processes compared to painting, further contributing to the well-being of people and the environment surrounding automobiles.

Furthermore, by utilizing film technology that offers superior visibility and operability, we will provide universal design that can be used safely by the elderly and people with disabilities, thereby supporting the future of mobility that enables freedom of movement and creative experiences.