Lion TOP

Lion TOP is a laundry-detergent brand of Lion Corporation, a Japanese manufacturer. Lion’s brand history dates the launch of the first TOP detergent to 1956, when the company introduced a synthetic, neutral detergent designed to wash a broad range of clothing materials, including wool, silk, synthetic fibres and cotton. Its introduction came as household washing practices in Japan were shifting from soap toward synthetic detergents and electric washing machines were spreading. The brand’s products have changed over time in response to washing needs and environmental concerns. In 1960, Lion introduced New TOP, a weakly alkaline detergent aimed at cotton and synthetic fabrics and designed for stronger cleaning. Lion later developed Hi-TOP, which the company describes as a detergent whose foam disappears quickly during rinsing, and New Hi-TOP, launched in 1962 with the aim of shortening washing time. In 1979, the company launched Enzyme Power TOP, using enzymes to break down protein stains; in 1980 it completed Non-Phosphorus TOP, retaining cleaning power without phosphorus. Later developments included concentrated detergents and products for particular laundry situations. Lion’s history page records a compact detergent called Hi-TOP in 1988, Enzyme TOP in 1995, and Room-Drying TOP in 2001, described as helping prevent unpleasant odours associated with drying laundry indoors. In 2005, an Enzyme Power TOP formulation added the enzyme Stainzyme, and in 2006 Three Enzyme Power TOP incorporated plant-derived cleaning ingredients including MES. The company’s account also describes efforts to reduce packaging and resource use, including lower detergent use per wash and reduced plastic in the 1995 product’s container. TOP is presented on Lion’s official site as a series of products, with browsing options by concern and by series. Lion also states that it seeks to reduce environmental impact across product life-cycle stages, from raw-material procurement through disposal. The supplied official pages establish Japan as the brand’s historical and corporate context; they do not specify a complete current product range, detailed distribution footprint, headquarters, or individual brand executives.

Lion TOP began in 1956, when Lion introduced its first synthetic detergent under the TOP name. According to Lion’s history page, the product was a neutral, all-purpose detergent intended for a range of clothing materials, including wool, silk, synthetic fibres and cotton. Its launch took place during a transition in Japanese household laundry from soap toward synthetic detergents, alongside the spread of electric washing machines. In 1960, Lion launched New TOP, a weakly alkaline detergent focused on cotton and synthetic fabrics and intended to provide stronger cleaning. As attention grew around detergent foam in rivers, Lion developed Hi-TOP, which the company says was designed to deliver strong cleaning while allowing foam to disappear quickly during rinsing. New Hi-TOP followed in 1962, with washing-time reduction as a stated aim. The brand’s next recorded turning point was enzyme technology. In 1979, Lion launched Enzyme Power TOP, adding an enzyme to break down protein stains. In 1980, the company completed Non-Phosphorus TOP, which it describes as maintaining strong cleaning performance without phosphorus. This development occurred amid concern about nutrient enrichment and water quality in lakes and marshes. Lion’s history then describes a move toward compact products and resource conservation. In 1988, it records the launch of a compact detergent called Hi-TOP, with protein-decomposing and lipid-decomposing enzymes. Enzyme TOP followed in 1995. Lion says this product reduced the amount used per wash compared with its predecessor and cut plastic use in the container by 13 percent. In 2001, Room-Drying TOP was launched to address unpleasant odours associated with indoor drying, reflecting changing lifestyles. In 2005, an Enzyme Power TOP product added the enzyme Stainzyme, described as helping break down stubborn food stains, alongside three enzymes. Lion’s account says the product also used recycled paper in its container and recycled resin for its measuring spoon. In 2006, Three Enzyme Power TOP used plant-derived cleaning ingredients, including MES made from palm oil, in about three-quarters of its cleaning ingredients, according to the company’s history page. The official homepage describes TOP as a series with products searchable by concern or series. Lion also states a company-wide aim of lowering environmental impact at stages from raw-material procurement through disposal. The supplied evidence does not establish later dated milestones or detail the brand’s present-day product assortment.

• 2006

  Three Enzyme Power TOP introduced

• 2005

  Enzyme Power TOP with Stainzyme

• 2001

  Room-Drying TOP launched

• 1995

  Enzyme TOP launched

• 1988

  Compact Hi-TOP launched

• 1980

  Non-Phosphorus TOP completed

• 1979

  Enzyme Power TOP launched

• 1962

  New Hi-TOP launched

• 1960

  New TOP introduced

• 1956

  First TOP synthetic detergent launched

A Japanese laundry-detergent brand whose product history emphasizes cleaning performance, detergents adapted to different laundry needs, and efforts to reduce environmental impact and resource use.

• TOP

  The original 1956 neutral synthetic detergent for a broad range of clothing materials.

• New TOP

  A weakly alkaline detergent introduced in 1960 for cotton and synthetic fabrics.

• Hi-TOP

  A detergent developed for strong cleaning and rapid foam disappearance during rinsing; a compact version is also recorded in 1988.

• New Hi-TOP

  A detergent launched in 1962 with the aim of shortening washing time.

• Enzyme Power TOP

  An enzyme-based detergent line recorded from 1979; later formulations included Stainzyme.

• Non-Phosphorus TOP

  A phosphorus-free detergent completed in 1980, described by Lion as retaining strong cleaning power.

• Enzyme TOP

  A 1995 product associated with reduced detergent use per wash and reduced plastic use in its container.

• Room-Drying TOP

  A 2001 product developed to address unpleasant odours associated with indoor drying.

• Three Enzyme Power TOP

  A 2006 detergent whose formulation included plant-derived cleaning ingredients such as MES.

• Development of a phosphorus-free detergentOther

• Resource-conscious product and packaging changesOther

1. 1トップ｜ライオン株式会社top.lion.co.jp
2. 250年の歴史｜トップ｜ライオン株式会社top.lion.co.jp