Starlite Co., Ltd.
Japanese engineering company founded in 1936 that creates advanced functions through tribology, mobility solutions, and safety/life-support businesses.
Last updated September 27, 2026
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Overview
Starlite Co., Ltd. (スターライト工業株式会社) is a Japanese technology-oriented manufacturing company headquartered in Asahi-ku, Osaka. Founded in 1936 in Sumiyoshi, Osaka, the company has grown over more than 80 years into a global engineering group with 11 domestic and 7 overseas locations and approximately 1,300 employees, about half of whom work outside Japan. Its consolidated revenue was 23.9 billion yen for the fiscal year ending March 2026. The company organizes its activities around three business pillars: Tribology, Mobility Solutions, and Safety & Life Support. The Tribology business applies advanced sliding, braking, and protection technologies to support core industries worldwide. Mobility Solutions develops new functions that reduce environmental impact and exceed customer expectations, primarily for the automotive sector. Safety & Life Support provides products that support workplace safety and comfortable living, including safety helmets, disaster toilets, and other safety-related items. Starlite's history is marked by a series of pioneering achievements in plastics and resin engineering. It developed Japan's first plastic safety helmet in 1952, established an integrated system for phenolic resin laminated molded products in 1949, and developed the first domestic phenolic resin laminated bearing for steel rolling mills in 1941. The company has since expanded into engineering plastics, automotive components, precision molded parts, and advanced materials such as carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) and cellulose nanofiber (CNF) dispersions. Internationally, Starlite operates manufacturing and sales subsidiaries in China (Kunshan), Thailand, the United States (Alabama), Mexico (Querétaro), and Singapore. It has entered joint ventures with companies such as John Crane Inc. (Japan John Crane), Röchling Automotive, and Cascade Engineering. The company emphasizes quality assurance, holding ISO 9001, IATF 16949, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, and ISO 50001 certifications at various sites. Starlite positions itself as a creator of new functions, guided by its "STARLITE Values" established in 1996. Its brand message, "Create Brand New, STARLITE," reflects its commitment to innovation and harmony with nature and society. The company remains privately held and continues to invest in research and development, with technical and development centers in Shiga and Hiroshima.
History
Starlite Co., Ltd. was founded in 1936 in Sumiyoshi, Osaka (present-day Suminoe-ku, Osaka), starting with the manufacture of phenolic resin molded products. In 1938, under the name Nihon Starlite Seisakusho, it opened the Kohama factory in Osaka and began producing phenolic resin molded parts. The company developed Japan's first phenolic resin laminated bearing for steel rolling mills in 1941, and in 1945 changed its corporate name to Starlite Co., Ltd. In 1949, it opened the Tokuan factory in Osaka and established an integrated system for molds, raw materials, and molding of phenolic resin laminated products. The post-war period saw Starlite expand into new materials and products. In 1952, it developed Japan's first plastic safety helmet. In 1956, it established a factory for fluororesin and fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) products. In 1961, it opened the Ritto factory in Shiga Prefecture and began manufacturing FRP housing-related products. In 1962, it started injection molding and the production of engineering plastic industrial products. In 1963, the Tokuan Research Institute was completed. In 1964, it established the Star Driving School at the Ritto factory. In 1967, Starlite Sales Co., Ltd. was founded. In 1968, it formed a joint venture with Crane Packing (now John Crane Inc.) to establish Nippon John Crane Co., Ltd., and built Japan's first large SMC molding factory at the Ritto factory. During the 1970s and 1980s, Starlite continued to diversify. In 1973, the Ritto Research Institute (Technical Center) was completed. In 1974, the Hiroshima factory opened and automotive parts manufacturing began. In 1982, development and production of the small precision molded product "Esbear" started at the Tokuan factory. In 1984, the Nasu factory opened in Tochigi Prefecture, and production of OA/information equipment housings began. In 1985, a clean molding factory for large transparent injection-molded products was established at the Ritto factory. In 1988, the Esbear factory was established, Thai Starlite Manufacturing Co., Ltd. was founded in Chachoengsao, Thailand, an injection molding factory was established there, and Star Cade, a joint venture with Cascade Engineering of the United States, was formed in Michigan. In 1989, the headquarters building was completed in Osaka. In 1991, a joint venture Sunlight Co., Ltd. was established with Mitajiri Chemical Industry in Hofu, Yamaguchi. In 1993, Starlite Resin Products (Kunshan) Co., Ltd. was established in Jiangsu, China. In 1996, the "STARLITE Values" were formulated. In 1997, the Technical Center was completed at the Ritto office. In 2002, a high-performance products factory was added at the Kunshan subsidiary. In 2004, STARLITE Cafe & Gallery opened and the Ritto office was established. In 2009, a technical alliance with Röchling Automotive was formed and a mold factory was added at Kunshan. In 2012, Starlite Global Investment Pte. Ltd. was established in Singapore. In 2013, Guangzhou office of Kunshan and Bangkok office of Thai Starlite were opened. In 2014, Starlite Mexico S.A. de C.V. was established in Querétaro, Mexico. In 2016, Starlite Creative Center (now Development Center) opened in Hiroshima, and a joint venture with Röchling Automotive, Starlite Röchling Automotive Co., Ltd. (now Röchling Automotive Japan Co., Ltd.), was established. In 2017, the Chengdu office of Kunshan was opened and Yamaguchi Starlite Industry Co., Ltd. was established. In 2018, IATF 16949 certification was obtained at the Hiroshima factory. In 2019, Starlite Automotive USA, Inc. was established in Alabama, USA. In 2020, the safety and security products business of Starlite Sales Co., Ltd. was integrated. In 2022, the mobility solutions business of Yamaguchi Starlite Industry Co., Ltd. was integrated. Today, Starlite operates as a global engineering group with 11 domestic and 7 overseas locations, approximately 1,300 employees, and consolidated revenue of 23.9 billion yen (FY ending March 2026). It continues to develop advanced technologies such as resin labyrinth seals for turbo compressors, heat-resistant materials, and functional coatings.
- 1997
Technical Center completed at Ritto office.
- 1996
"STARLITE Values" formulated.
- 1993
Starlite Resin Products (Kunshan) Co., Ltd. established in Jiangsu, China.
- 1991
Joint venture Sunlight Co., Ltd. established with Mitajiri Chemical Industry in Hofu, Yamaguchi.
- 1989
Headquarters building completed in Osaka.
- 1988
Esbear factory established; Thai Starlite Manufacturing Co., Ltd. founded in Thailand; Star Cade joint venture established with Cascade Engineering in the U.S.
- 1985
Clean molding factory for large transparent injection-molded products established at Ritto factory.
- 1984
Nasu factory opened in Tochigi Prefecture; OA/information equipment housing manufacturing begins.
- 1982
Development and production of small precision molded product "Esbear" begins at Tokuan factory.
- 1974
Hiroshima factory opened; automotive parts manufacturing begins.
Products and positioning
A technology-driven manufacturer that creates new functions through tribology, mobility, and safety/life support, guided by STARLITE Values and a commitment to harmony with nature and society.
Esbear
Small precision molded products developed in 1982.
BARIAS
Functional coating that protects and enhances function.
BAKES
Ultra heat-resistant material for next-generation applications.
Resin labyrinth seal
Developed in 2026 to improve turbo compressor efficiency.
Safety helmet
Japan's first plastic safety helmet, developed in 1952.
Disaster toilet
Emergency toilet for disaster situations.
Static pressure gas bearing
Bearing technology for food safety applications.
Sources5 sources
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