Natulon zippers surpass half of YKK's global zipper sales volume

Japanese fastening manufacturer YKK has published 'This is YKK 2026', its latest integrated report covering its progress, performance and priorities in the 2025 financial year (FY2025). A key milestone was its Natulon zipper series, which uses recycled materials, reaching 56 percent of YKK's global zipper sales volume, up from 3 percent in FY2019.

The report outlines achievements and future priorities under the YKK Sustainability Vision 2050, which is organised around five themes: climate change, material resources, water resources, chemical management and respect for people.

"Since formulating the YKK Sustainability Vision 2050, we have continued to advance initiatives under its five themes," said Koichi Matsushima, president of YKK Corporation. "In FY2025, YKK was named to CDP's Climate Change 'A List' for the third consecutive year, and the Natulon zipper series accounted for more than half of our global zipper sales volume. These results demonstrate progress while underscoring the work ahead, including further reductions in CO2 emissions and expanded use of renewable energy."

Zippers designed for recycling and repair

Across the Natulon series, recycled polyester is used in the zipper tape, and in some products also in additional specified components. YKK said it has expanded production across its global manufacturing network while maintaining product quality, functionality and supply.

The company is also developing fastening products with recycling and repair in mind. The Natulon Plus Fiber Sourced Zipper with Recycled PET Open Parts, which is currently under development, uses fibre-derived recycled PET in specified components and aims to maximise mono-material construction, so that the zipper can be recycled together with the garment. YKK is also expanding its revived renewal components, which allow zippers to be repaired without replacing the entire zipper.

Both product lines have received international recognition. The Natulon Plus zipper was selected as a Top 5 item in the Accessories category of the ISPO Textrends Awards 2025, while Revived Replacement Elements for Vislon zippers received the iF Design Award 2026.

New award for circular design

To mark the 25th anniversary of the YKK Fastening Awards, the company introduced a Circular Design Special Award in FY2025 to identify and nurture talent that can help advance circular fashion. Kanade Konno of Bunka Fashion College received both the new award and the Grand Prix in the Apparel category for 'Re Tree', a design that uses zippers to enable garment disassembly and repair.

Water, chemicals and compliance

Among the other FY2025 results, YKK received the highest 'A List' rating in the CDP Climate Change questionnaire for the third consecutive year and was named a CDP Supplier Engagement Leader for the fourth consecutive year.

Water intake totalled 9.234 million metric tons, a 19.4 percent reduction compared with FY2018. YKK added four new water recycling facilities, bringing the total to 19 sites.

On chemical management, YKK informed suppliers about the 2025 version of its Restricted Substance List, conducted compliance surveys covering 1,798 companies and introduced InCheck reports for ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List compliance assessments at 34 companies.

Under the YKK Global Criteria of Compliance, the company carried out self-checks at all 48 applicable locations and third-party onsite audits at 21 locations. YKK has also begun applying the TNFD LEAP approach to analyse the connections between its production sites in Japan and abroad and nature and biodiversity.

The report is published together with an accompanying Data Book containing detailed financial, non-financial and ESG information.