Hikari Giken

Hikari Giken Kogyo Co., Ltd. is a company based in Higashiosaka, Osaka, Japan, whose business covers the manufacture and sale of polyurethane and EVARON soles and the development of EVARON chemical products. It states that it is the only company in Japan developing with EVA injection molding technology, and it produces EVARON sandals, polyurethane soles, EVA insoles, braille panels, and OEM parts for nursing-care and medical applications.

The business was founded in December 1971 (Showa 46) in Shibukawa-cho 3-chome, Higashiosaka, as Mitsukogei (光工芸). In July 1976 (Showa 51) the name was changed to Mitsukogiken Kogyosho (光技研工業所). In August 1977 (Showa 52) a polyurethane injection molding line was completed. In December 1984 (Showa 59) the current head office factory was built. In September 1994 (Heisei 6) Hikari Giken Kogyo Co., Ltd. was established, and in October 1994 a distribution center was built in Koro 1-chome, Ikuno-ku, Osaka. In March 2001 (Heisei 13) an EVA injection molding machine was introduced from Italy, the first such introduction in Japan, supported by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's Osaka Prefecture equipment support program, leading to the development of ultra-light EVARON soles. In February 2007 (Heisei 19) production of EVARON sandals for medical use began. In April 2008 (Heisei 20) production equipment for ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer and EVARON compound was completed and compound production began. In January 2009 (Heisei 21) a second EVA injection molding machine was installed. In 2013 (Heisei 25) the company was certified as a Higashiosaka Brand. In July 2018 (Heisei 30) a third EVA injection molding machine was installed, completing equipment capable of manufacturing a variety of products beyond sandals and shoe soles. In September 2022 (Reiwa 4) Yoshida Isao became Chairman of the Board and Yoshida Katsuhiro became Representative Director. In April 2023 (Reiwa 5) the company began participating in the hometown tax donation gift program.

Emphasis on Japanese-made (MADE IN JAPAN) production, in-house development and manufacturing, and quality control.

• EVARON foam material

  A blended polymer 'EVARON foam' made by blending ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer with natural rubber, stabilizers, crosslinking agents and other materials in the company's own mixing ratio; described as about two-thirds the weight of conventional urethane, with excellent abrasion resistance, flexing, cushioning, slip resistance and chemical resistance, no discoloration or hydrolysis, and low dioxin emission when burned; can also incorporate antibacterial and deodorizing functions.

• EVARON sandals

  Functional sandals made with the EVARON material; product topics include SA-8, SA-20, SA-22, SA-23, SA-63, SA-65 and the EVARON ABSORB RC-02 recovery sandal.

• Polyurethane soles

  Manufacture and sale of footwear soles using polyurethane resin, including the company's original designs and soles dedicated to manufacturers' brands, sold nationwide in Japan.

• EVA insoles

  EVA footwear insoles with cushioning unevenness that provides moderate stimulation to the sole of the foot; available in a wide range of colors.

• Braille panels

  Braille panels with better cushioning than conventional products, expected to reduce injuries from falls on the panels; EVARON's lack of hydrolysis and durability allow longer replacement cycles.

• Nursing-care and medical OEM parts

  OEM support for parts of nursing-care products and related products used in medical settings, using the company's EVA injection foam molding technology.

1. 1ヒカリ技研工業株式会社 : 新素材 EVARONhikari-giken.com
2. 2会社概要 : ヒカリ技研hikari-giken.com
3. 3Hikari Gikenwikidata.org