Guided by the philosophy of the CYCLE OF GOODNESS®, YKK® has been committed to developing products with a focus on sustainability since 1994, the year of the production of the first NATULON® zipper incorporating recycled material and the release of YKK Environmental Charter.
In this page, you will find the eco-friendly items proposed by YKK Italia divided according to their sustainability features: circularity, recycled material, natural fibres, non-plated and eco-friendly metal finish.
Circularity
YKK® perceives circular fashion as a regenerative system in which garments circulate until their value is preserved, and then they are safely returned to the biosphere. This disrupts the traditional linear model of ‘Take, Make, Waste’. As part of the supply chain, we firmly believe that circularity is crucial for fostering sustainability. This belief drives us to design closure items using the finest quality recycled and recyclable materials.
Recycled Material
YKK has long understood the environmental benefits of recycled materials. YKK® NATULON® products offer YKK® quality and performance with a lower environmental impact, as their manufacturing process ensures lower CO2 emission levels than when using virgin polyester. Since the creation of the first NATULON® zipper in 1994, we have continually expanded the NATULON® variations to offer the benefits of tape made entirely from recycled material to an ever-widening range of products.
The NATULON® product lines are designed for customers who wish to reduce the consumption of virgin material increasing the recycled content of their products. NATULON® zippers are made from recycled materials, such as PET bottles, thanks to mechanical recycling. The yarn used for the tape of NATULON® zippers consists of more than 99% post-consumer recycled material.
Natural Fibres
Natural fibres provide a renewable and sustainable source of material for the textiles used in zippers. YKK® zippers with natural fibre tapes help to eliminate the CO2 emissions associated with the production of synthetic textiles. These plant-based materials are renewable and can be grown regeneratively helping to reduce resource depletion and contributing to a healthier environment.
EXCELLA® Organic Cotton Tape
YZiP® Organic Cotton Tape
Organic Cotton Tape features tape made of organic cotton fibres.* The farming of the cotton is certified by a 3rd party, offering traceability and compliance with requirements for chemical use, water stewardship and fair labor practices/ human rights. The tape is produced in natural colour ready for garment dyeing.
YZiP® with TENCEL™ Lyocell Fiber Tape
The YZip® zipper with a tape made of TENCEL™ fibres, which are produced from the renewable raw material wood. The fibres are biodegradable and compostable and are produced in an environmentally friendly closed-loop process in which 99% of the process water and solvents are recycled.
Non Plated
YKK® offers a series of stainless steel items without the need for plating or finishing. The snaps and zippers in this series allow the natural beauty of the material to shine through without requiring additional machining, offering an environmentally friendlier alternative to traditional galvanic finishes.
EXCELLA® NATULON® made with Stainless Steel
EXCELLA® NATULON® made with Stainless Steel zippers take the high-quality EXCELLA® series to the next level. Thanks to the strong corrosion resistance of stainless steel, these zippers are perfect for the most demanding applications, such as luxury clothing and leather goods, technical and nautical clothing. The chain undergoes a special innovative treatment that makes the corrosion resistance even more powerful, making this zipper a highly resistant, strong and durable product. Thanks to the natural colour of the stainless steel, this item does not require any additional plating or finishing.
FlexFix® made with Stainless Steel
Made of stainless steel and equipped with FlexFix® technology, FlexFix® made with Stainless Steel is designed for durability and resistance. It offers maximum comfort, best functionality and an attractive, elegant design. Thanks to the natural colour of the stainless steel, this item does not require any additional plating or finishing.
FlexFix® Flat made with Stainless Steel
Made of stainless steel and equipped with FlexFix® technology, FlexFix® Flat made with Stainless Steel is made ultra-flat and designed for durability and resistance. Thanks to the natural colour of the stainless steel, this item does not require any additional plating or finishing.
Eco-friendly Metal Finish
YKK® eco-friendly metal finishes offer an environmentally friendlier alternative to traditional electroplating, requiring less water, less energy and eliminating the hazardous chemicals used in the traditional plating process. These finishes are available in multiple colours and offer greater resistance to corrosion.
FlexFix® Finished with AcroPlating®
Durable FlexFix® technology combined with AcroPlating®, the new plating method that uses fewer resources and no harmful chemicals, is at your side for more sustainable production and consumption. Thanks to these two innovative technologies, your items will last longer without losing performance. 6 colors are available.