appcycle’s Apple-Waste Bio-Based Leather Product Wins Bronze at the A’ Design Award

appcycle has been advancing the social implementation of its sustainable bio-based leather, RINGO-TEX®, through collaborations with ANA Holdings and other partners. In this project, the company incorporated a designer’s perspective to develop a product that maximizes the material’s texture and story: the “Ringo Gamaguchi Coin Case / Apple Clasp Purse.” Designed for contemporary lifestyles, the coin case addresses situations where cash is still needed despite the spread of cashless payments. The product reduces the typical 28 mm thickness of conventional clasp coin cases to 19 mm for improved portability, while embossed interior material with cushioning helps reduce the sound of coins rubbing together. The product was recognized for its design quality, functional excellence, and social and environmental value, receiving a Bronze A’ Design Award. The A’ Design Award & Competition is one of the world’s largest design competitions, held annually in Italy, covering more than 100 categories including product, architecture, and graphic design. The Bronze A’ Design Award is given to entries ranked within the top 5% to 10% among tens of thousands of submissions. The Golden Seed® brand is built on three pillars: Seed, Gold, and Aomori. It redefines unused resources from Aomori’s apple processing industry not merely as recycled materials, but as “golden seeds” for the next generation. Pre-orders are currently available through the official sales site. YONENOI DESIGN, established in 1978, has long provided industrial design proposals spanning product planning, design, mockups, packaging, quality checks, and structural and mechanical considerations, and contributed to this product’s development. RINGO-TEX® is an environmentally conscious, Japan-made bio-based leather produced by upcycling apple pomace generated during apple juice production in Aomori Prefecture. Its upcycled material ratio reaches 72% to 74%, reducing the use of petroleum-derived polyurethane and CO2 emissions across development, manufacturing, processing, and disposal compared with conventional synthetic leather. It is lightweight, water-resistant, durable, and suitable for demanding applications such as mobility interiors. As a non-animal bio-based leather, it also supports diverse values and helps address regional industrial challenges. appcycle was founded in 2022 by Kei Fujimaki to tackle issues in Aomori’s apple industry, including aging farmers, labor shortages, and the environmental and financial burden of apple residue disposal. Through partnerships with institutions such as Tohoku University, the company developed RINGO-TEX® and aims to revitalize local economies by purchasing and utilizing regional waste resources while returning value to apple farmers. Use cases include ANA Green Jet headrest covers and leather accessories, EV bus headrests in Hirosaki City, Aomori, and appcycle’s own Golden Seed® brand.