Eiken Chemical Co., Ltd. is a Japanese manufacturer of clinical diagnostic reagents and testing systems, founded in 1939 and headquartered in Tokyo. The company’s corporate symbol, or shachō, is built around a red abstract mark that has been part of its identity since the company adopted its current name in 1969.
Design and History
Eiken Chemical was founded in 1939 as Koa Kagakukogyo Co., Ltd. and underwent several name changes in its early decades, becoming Nihon Eiyokagaku Co., Ltd. in 1946. In 1969, on the 30th anniversary of its founding, the company changed its name to Eiken Chemical Co., Ltd. and introduced a new company badge at that time.[1]
During the Nihon Eiyokagaku period, the company used two documented marks: a “NEK logo” and a separate “carbon logo.” The carbon logo, which appeared alongside the NEK mark in the company’s historical records, reflects an early use of the carbon motif that would later become central to the corporate identity.[1]
The current Eiken Chemical company badge, introduced with the 1969 name change, is documented in the company’s official history as “Eiken Chemical Co., Ltd. company badge.”[1] The company’s official FAQ and management philosophy pages both describe the origin of the symbol, noting that as a company involved with life sciences, Eiken adopted “carbon,” the element most important to life, as its corporate symbol.[2][3]
Meaning and Symbolism
The company’s official explanation of its badge states that, as a business related to life, Eiken chose carbon, the element most essential to life, to serve as its corporate symbol.[2][3] This carbon-based symbolism connects the visual mark directly to the company’s mission in clinical diagnostics and health care.
In 2019, Eiken Chemical created a separate 80th anniversary logo to mark its eight decades in business. According to the company’s anniversary site, the design was based on the concept of Eiken continuing to protect people’s health in the future. The two circles forming the “8” represent unification and driving force, while the “8” as a whole represents infinite possibilities, expressing Eiken’s commitment to continuing its protection of good health.[4] This anniversary mark was a commemorative design rather than a replacement for the standard corporate badge.
Typography and Design
Official documentation from Eiken Chemical does not specify the typeface used in its wordmark or provide formal color specifications for the corporate badge. The company’s published materials show the Eiken name rendered in a sans-serif style, but no official source identifies the specific font family. Similarly, while the badge appears in red across the company’s website and printed materials, Eiken has not published an official color code or hex value for the mark in its corporate documentation.
Logo Index is an independent educational archive covering logos, visual identities and graphic design history. All trademarks and brand assets remain the property of their respective owners.
