SOLAMENT - SOLAMENT HOPE WEAR (Case Study) | Campaign UN Secretary General António Guterres coined the term “global boiling” to describe rising temperatures associated with climate change. Such conditions are severely impacting people's quality of life and livelihoods. According to the World Health Organization, 2.4 billion people worldwide are forced to work under dangerous heat. Latest estimates show that extreme heat has cost a total of 500 billion working hours worldwide (Lancet Countdown, 2024). Japan's agricultural industry has suffered, with heatstroke and related risks a serious issue for its 1.2 million outdoor workers. Sumitomo Metal Mining (SMM), a 400+-year-old mining company, found a solution in a material it invented 20 years ago: Cesium-doped Tungsten Oxide (CWO). Originally developed for automotive and architectural windows, it can both generate and block heat by absorbing near-infrared light. To increase visibility of this product, SMM rebranded CWO as SOLAMENT™, a material that protects human activity under extreme heat. To promote the new brand, the company launched a clothing line. HOPE WEAR is a ready-to-wear line utilizing SOLAMENT™ technology to help outdoor workers endure rising temperatures. Unlike conventional workwear, SOLAMENT™ absorbs and traps heat on its surface, physically preventing heat transfer to the body. Through wear tests and interviews with farmers, we refined the design to achieve superior functionality, lightness, and ease of movement. Combined with built-in fans that circulate fresh air, HOPE WEAR can reduce perceived temperature by up to 19°C. Using an advanced 3D pattern algorithm that reduces fabric waste by up to 60%, the design also improves sustainability. HOPE WEAR has the potential to save 65 million+ outdoor working hours this summer. It is expanding beyond agriculture into logistics, construction, and railway sectors, with discussions underway with one of Japan's largest railway companies. In late 2025, SOLAMENT™ expanded into children’s clothing and traditional Japanese garments, with product development currently under exploration. In 2026, SOLAMENT™ products are designated as eligible for agricultural subsidies by government programs in Japan, positioning HOPE WEAR as part of a nationwide heat mitigation initiative. SOLAMENT™ brand awareness reached 47 countries 369% increase (YoY) in SOLAMENT™ business inquiries 400% (YoY) increase in SOLAMENT™ sales Positive consumer sentiment rose 90% Credits: - Client: Sumitomo Metal Mining - Advertising Agency: Droga5 Tokyo, Part of Accenture Song - Agency Network: Accenture Song
Comments 1
Sign in to join the conversation
Sign in
UN Secretary General António Guterres coined the term “global boiling” to describe rising temperatures associated with climate change. Such conditions are severely impacting people's quality of life and livelihoods. According to the World Health Organization, 2.4 billion people worldwide are forced to work under dangerous heat. Latest estimates show that extreme heat has cost a total of 500 billion working hours worldwide (Lancet Countdown, 2024). Japan's agricultural industry has suffered, with heatstroke and related risks a serious issue for its 1.2 million outdoor workers. Sumitomo Metal Mining (SMM), a 400+-year-old mining company, found a solution in a material it invented 20 years ago: Cesium-doped Tungsten Oxide (CWO). Originally developed for automotive and architectural windows, it can both generate and block heat by absorbing near-infrared light. To increase visibility of this product, SMM rebranded CWO as SOLAMENT™, a material that protects human activity under extreme heat. To promote the new brand, the company launched a clothing line. HOPE WEAR is a ready-to-wear line utilizing SOLAMENT™ technology to help outdoor workers endure rising temperatures. Unlike conventional workwear, SOLAMENT™ absorbs and traps heat on its surface, physically preventing heat transfer to the body. Through wear tests and interviews with farmers, we refined the design to achieve superior functionality, lightness, and ease of movement. Combined with built-in fans that circulate fresh air, HOPE WEAR can reduce perceived temperature by up to 19°C. Using an advanced 3D pattern algorithm that reduces fabric waste by up to 60%, the design also improves sustainability. HOPE WEAR has the potential to save 65 million+ outdoor working hours this summer. It is expanding beyond agriculture into logistics, construction, and railway sectors, with discussions underway with one of Japan's largest railway companies. In late 2025, SOLAMENT™ expanded into children’s clothing and traditional Japanese garments, with product development currently under exploration. In 2026, SOLAMENT™ products are designated as eligible for agricultural subsidies by government programs in Japan, positioning HOPE WEAR as part of a nationwide heat mitigation initiative. SOLAMENT™ brand awareness reached 47 countries 369% increase (YoY) in SOLAMENT™ business inquiries 400% (YoY) increase in SOLAMENT™ sales Positive consumer sentiment rose 90% Credits: Client: Sumitomo Metal Mining Advertising Agency: Droga5 Tokyo, Part of Accenture Song Agency Network: Accenture Song