Japanese medical wear sukui wins iF DESIGN AWARD 2026 for circular design

Working Hasegawa Co., Ltd., a workwear manufacturer in Fukuoka Prefecture, has received the prestigious iF DESIGN AWARD 2026 for its sustainable medical wear brand, sukui. The brand was recognised for its integration of circular economy principles within the healthcare apparel sector.

The iF DESIGN AWARD from Germany is one of the most influential design competitions globally. Starting from the 2025 edition, the organisers introduced sustainability as one of the five core evaluation criteria. The assessment process involves a dedicated Sustainability Working Group, which includes experts associated with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, ensuring a rigorous evaluation of environmental impact and circularity.

The sukui brand distinguishes itself through the use of industrial hemp, a material that achieves carbon-negative status by sequestering more carbon dioxide during growth than is emitted during production. Beyond the material choice, the brand incorporates a blockchain-based Digital Product Passport (DPP) to ensure total transparency. This system utilizes a hybrid architecture developed with chaintope Inc., where immutable data such as Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) results and material origins are stored on the Tapyrus blockchain, while maintenance records are managed via a traditional database.

Healthcare professionals can access detailed environmental data and traceability information by scanning a QR code attached to each garment. This technology allows users to verify the carbon footprint and origin of their scrubs, facilitating more sustainable procurement choices within medical institutions. The product design also encompasses the entire lifecycle of the garment, including professional cleaning, repair services, and eventual composting.

Shinichi Hasegawa, the representative director of Working Hasegawa Co., Ltd., stated that sukui is a product designed for the entire life of the garment, from material selection to composting. He noted that the integration of the blockchain DPP allows anyone to check environmental data with a single scan. He expressed his satisfaction that their system, which aims to save both people and the environment, received international recognition.