Expert Material Laboratories Wins Theme Prize at 2025 Tokyo Business Design Award

Expert Material Laboratories Achieves Recognition at Tokyo Business Design Award

Expert Material Laboratories Inc., also known as Ekimate, has officially been awarded the Theme Prize at the 2025 Tokyo Business Design Award (TBDA). This prestigious accolade recognizes the company's commitment to developing safe and user-friendly wash-off office resin specifically designed for 3D printers.

The TBDA is managed by the Japan Design Promotion Association, which aims to support small to medium enterprises in Tokyo by enhancing their unique technologies and materials into viable business innovations through design. Ekimate leverages its expertise in AI-supported design to propose body-adaptive everyday tools created via 3D printing technology. This groundbreaking initiative involves collaboration with renowned automotive designer Hiroshi Hirase, various talented designers, and software engineers, all working together to materialize new values in the market.

Scheduled for February 3, 2026, the final proposal examination will culminate in a presentation of these innovative concepts. The focus lies on AI design support in creating functional, ergonomic tools tailored to individual users, emphasizing customization and usability.

Collaboration Highlights

The creative team encompasses several talented individuals:

- Hiroshi Hirase: Automotive designer recognized for his cutting-edge designs.
- Daibo Ishimoto: A forward-thinking designer committed to innovative aesthetics.
- Masahiro Yamagishi: Designer with a vision for inclusive and practical solutions.
- Akito Shiba: Designer focused on harmonizing technology with user experience.
- Yutaro Morita: Software engineer targeting enhanced functionality through intelligent design.

With this diverse team, Ekimate aims to redefine user experiences in everyday tools, driving forward innovative design processes that cater to a wide audience.

About Ekimate

Ekimate is dedicated to producing materials that are environmentally considerate, offering water-washable, low-odour, and allergen-free resin that meets food sanitation standards. Their focus intertwines safety and convenience, expanding the scope of applications in food-related equipment and beyond. The company strives to facilitate natural growth in Japan's manufacturing landscape, fitting technologies and ideas into a cohesive development environment.

Key Mission

With a corporate vision centered on “Turning Everyone's Dreams into Reality,” Expert Material Laboratories is devoted to democratizing creativity and innovation. They believe that everyone should have the opportunity to realize their ideas into tangible products and solutions, thus enhancing the overall quality of life.

Future Prospects

In addition to the TBDA recognition, Ekimate operates as a key player in the group company of NSS, which serves as a PR supplier for the Osaka-Kansai Expo. Ekimate's synergy with NSS allows it to tap into various cutting-edge technologies, such as aerospace non-destructive testing and advanced systems design, ensuring a broad-reaching impact across multiple sectors.