Circular medical apparel wins third global design awards

Workwear manufacturer Working Hasegawa Co., Ltd. achieved an international triple crown in design excellence for its sustainable medical apparel brand, sukui. The brand secured the Good Design Award 2025 in Japan, followed by both the iF DESIGN AWARD 2026 and the Green Product Award 2026 in Germany.

The sukui medical uniforms utilise hemp textiles, a crop that actively absorbs carbon dioxide during its growth phase. In addition, the brand addresses life-cycle transparency by equipping each garment with a Digital Product Passport accessible via a QR code on the product label. Using blockchain technology supplied by Iizuka-based software developer chaintope Inc., the system records data on production emissions and agricultural carbon absorption in a tamper-resistant format. The design also incorporates end-of-life management, planning for uniform collection, upcycling, and composting.

Development of the brand progressed through financial and administrative support from Fukuoka Prefecture and Iizuka City (located in the same prefecture). Local authorities view the project as a successful demonstration of regional industry-academia-government collaboration and local blockchain adoption.

Following the initial domestic award, Working Hasegawa President Shinichi Hasegawa expressed ambition to test the product in international competitions and build a globally recognised brand, a goal now realised through the dual recognition in Germany. Iizuka City officials indicated that the collaboration highlights the potential for local digital technology to foster sustainable growth across healthcare, environmental management, and regional manufacturing.

Healthcare apparel has long presented challenges for circular economy initiatives due to strict hygiene requirements and heavy reliance on synthetic materials. The success of sukui demonstrates that combining regenerative plant materials with verifiable digital tracking can overcome transparency barriers in sectors requiring specialised textile.