Fristads wins Manufacturer of the Year at the UK Green Business Awards
Fristads has been named Manufacturer of the Year at the UK Green Business Awards 2026, one of the United Kingdom’s most prestigious sustainability awards. The award recognises Fristads’ efforts to help customers reduce the environmental impact of their workwear through durable design, product-level environmental data and circular services.
The award was presented at the UK Green Business Awards ceremony in London, where Fristads also participated as headline sponsor. Fristads was selected among hundreds of entries in an exceptionally competitive field.
“In a category that provides further evidence of how the green manufacturing sector is going from strength to strength,” the jury stated, “Fristads Workwear won over the judges thanks to a comprehensive strategy that combines ambitious science-based emissions targets, innovative sustainable materials, and a full lifecycle environmental footprinting service to help customers slash their emissions.”
“We are incredibly proud to receive this award,” said Petra Öberg Gustafsson, Managing Director at Fristads. “For us, sustainability is not a separate initiative but an integral part of how we develop products, work with suppliers and support our customers. This recognition is a testament to the dedication of our employees and partners, and to our ambition to lead the workwear industry towards a more sustainable future.”
First with environmentally declared multinorm workwear
Fristads received the award in part for their groundbreaking work on developing developing an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for clothing. An EPD provides third-party verified data on a garment’s environmental impact across its entire lifecycle, enabling customers to compare products, make more informed procurement decisions and report Scope 3 emissions.
Recently, Fristads became the first company in the world to launch a workwear collection with EPD in the complex multinorm segment. Called Multinorm Green, the collection is designed for professionals working in high-risk environments and combines exceptional durability with more sustainable materials.
Fristads has also developed a comprehensive circular service offering encompassing repair, reuse and recycling of workwear. Through Sustainability as a Service, Fristads helps customers extend the lifespan of garments, reduce waste and manage workwear responsibly at end of life.
Driving change across the industry
The UK Green Business Awards celebrate organisations that are leading the transition to a more sustainable economy through innovation, climate action and measurable results.
“As a manufacturer, we know that our greatest impact lies in the products we make and in helping our customers make better choices,” said Petra Öberg Gustafsson. “This award is particularly meaningful because it recognises the importance of measurable sustainability. By providing transparent, verified data and practical circular solutions, we aim not only to reduce our own impact but also to drive positive change across the entire industry.”
As headline sponsor of the awards, Fristads has also supported the event’s mission to highlight organisations that are demonstrating real progress and helping accelerate the transition to a more sustainable future.
