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: Chuo-ku, Osaka; President: Osamu Inoue), and Sumitomo Electric Toyama Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Imizu City, Toyama; President Representative Director: Yasuo Yamamoto) agreed to a contract pertaining to the use of low-carbon aluminum. Beginning in FY2024, YKK began purchasing low-carbon aluminum alloy wires for use as materials in aluminum alloy zippers and gradually expanded their application.
YKK has adopted the YKK Sustainability Vision 2050, which sets the sustainability goals for realizing climate neutrality by 2050. The company has established targets in connection to five themes—climate change, material resources, water resources, chemical management, and respect people—and is working on initiatives to achieve 10 SDGs related to each of these themes. In the key area of climate change, YKK is promoting initiatives to slash its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within the company and throughout its supply chain—by 90% for Scope 1 and 2 emissions and by 90% for Scope 3 emissions, compared to FY2018 levels—by 2050, based on the net-zero target outlined by the Science Based Targets (SBT) initiative (*2). Adopting low-carbon aluminum as material for zippers is one of YKK’s initiatives to achieve the reduction target for Scope 3 emissions.
YKK will continue to work with its customers and suppliers to accelerate efforts to reduce GHG emissions by developing and expanding sales of sustainable products and technologies, thereby contributing to the realization of a sustainable society.
■ Comment from Terry Tsukumo, Vice President, Product Strategy Division, Global Sales Headquarters, YKK Corporation
“YKK has been promoting efforts to use recycled materials and plant-based materials in textile materials for zippers and to increase the ratio of such materials. In addition to these efforts, we will promote the use of low-carbon aluminum made from renewable energy sources, such as hydropower. Through these efforts, we aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to climate change mitigation by revamping our product lineup, while taking advantage of aluminum's features—its light weight and silver color that is nickel-free and plating-free—and focus on developing products which can be widely used in apparel and luggage applications.”
*1: The aluminum smelting process requires a large quantity of electricity and emits different amounts of carbon dioxide depending on the power source used. The emissions of the low-carbon aluminum to be used for this initiative will be less than 4 metric tons of CO₂ per ton of aluminum ingots produced, as it uses renewable energy as the power source. This significantly reduces CO₂ emissions compared to using electricity generated from fossil fuels such as thermal power.
*2: The remaining 10% of emissions in the net-zero target must be reduced to zero through carbon absorption and removal, etc.
■ YKK Digital Showroom
Information about YKK’s sustainability initiatives and sustainable products can be viewed at the YKK Digital Showroom.
■ State of Progress Toward the YKK Sustainability Vision 2050
YKK Corporation's sustainability goal is to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. YKK is working on five themes – Climate Change, Material Resources, Water Resources, Chemical Management, Respect People – and ten SDG goals related to each of these, and each year reports on its state of progress in the YKK Integrated Report, "This is YKK."
ABOUT YKK: YKK solves the most complex fastening and attaching challenges. Since the company’s founding in Tokyo in 1934, YKK has continuously set industry standards for quality, innovation, and sustainability in the production of zippers, plastic hardware, hook and loop fasteners, webbing tapes, and snap and buttons. YKK’s “solutions-first” approach leverages its extensive product and machinery portfolio, engineering expertise, and integrated production, service, and supply chain solutions in 70+ countries/regions, leaving it well-positioned to support the growth of customers of all sizes and adapt to their evolving business needs. Guided by the CYCLE OF GOODNESS® philosophy – no one prospers without rendering benefit to others – YKK aims to contribute to a sustainable society through its products and manufacturing operations and constantly seeks new ways to serve the changing needs of its customers while at the same time investing in its employees and giving back to its communities.
ABOUT SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES LTD: Since its founding in 1897, Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. has created new products and technologies to expand its business domain by engaging in creative research and development and tirelessly taking on new projects, with wire and cable manufacturing technology serving as the company’s foundation. Today, Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. employs approximately 290,000 people in more than 400 group companies in approximately 40 countries around the world, with global business operations in five industries: Energy and Environment, Infocommunications, Automotive, Electronics, and Industrial Materials.
ABOUT SUMITOMO ELECTRIC TOYAMA CO, LTD: As a manufacturing base for the Sumitomo Electric Industries Group, Sumitomo Electric Toyama Co., Ltd. produces high-quality, high-performance electrical and electronic materials based on aluminum, nickel, and other materials.
