It ain't fashion, if it ain't sustainable

Terry Tsukumo

PRESS RELEASE / Announcement

23 May 2025

3 minutes

YZiP with Silver Anodized Aluminum Elements (left), and Aluminum Alloy Zipper with Recycled Tape (right).

YKK Makes the Switch to 100% Low-Carbon Aluminum for Use in Aluminum Alloy Zippers

TOKYO, JAPAN: YKK Corporation (hereafter, YKK) will begin using only low-carbon aluminum (*1) as the source for all aluminum alloy wire procured for zippers, as part of its initiative to convert all aluminum alloy zipper items to sustainable products.

YKK, together with aluminum material manufacturers Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. (Headquarters...

PRESS RELEASE / Event

14 December 2023

2 minutes

Designed to be compatible with garment recycling systems, the DynaPel zipper uses GTT’s EMPEL technology instead of the standard PU film to achieve its water repellency.

YKK’s New DynaPel Water-Repellant Zipper Wins Best Product in ISPO Textrends Competition

Atlanta, GA, U.S.: The ISPO Textrends judges have selected YKK's DynaPel water-repellent zipper as the Best Product in the accessories category. The competition, held twice a year in conjunction with the ISPO trade show, recognizes the most innovative performance textiles, components, and apparel.

Designed to be compatible with garment recycling...

PRESS RELEASE / Launch

17 November 2023

2 minutes

EMPEL technology uses advanced green chemistry devoid of PFAS and a specialized manufacturing process that allows the chemistry to penetrate the yarn and encapsulate it with a water-repellent layer through molecular cross-linking.

YKK Launches New Water-Repellant Zipper Designed to Work in Circular Systems

Atlanta, GA, U.S.: YKK announces the release of its new DynaPel water-repellant zipper featuring GTT EMPEL technology. Designed to be compatible with garment recycling systems, DynaPel uses EMPEL technology instead of the standard PU film to achieve its water repellency. The lack of a PU film helps remove one of the barriers of textile-to-textile...