YKK news and archive

YKK Corporation Earns Top Honors as a CDP Supplier Engagement Leader for Fourth Consecutive Year

YKK Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Koichi Matsushima; hereinafter “YKK”) has been selected for top honors by the international environmental non-profit organization CDP (*1) as a Supplier Engagement Leader in their FY2025 Supplier Engagement Assessment (*2) for the fourth year running. This recognition shows YKK has...

BusinessPress Release

YKK Joins ZDHC as a Signatory Supplier, Strengthening Commitment to Eliminating Hazardous Chemicals

YKK Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Koichi Matsushima; hereafter, YKK) has joined ZDHC (Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals) as a Signatory Supplier as of May 2026. ZDHC is a global organization centered on the textile and apparel industry, with the objective of eliminating hazardous chemicals from manufacturing...

FashionPress Release

YKK’s 3D Composite Puller Wins the Red Dot Award

YKK Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Koichi Matsushima; hereafter, YKK) has received the Red Dot Award in the Product Design category for its 3D Composite Puller. The award is presented by Red Dot GmbH & Co. KG. Established in 1955, the Red Dot Award, based in Germany, is one of the world’s most renowned design...

FashionPress Release

Natulon® Zipper Series Surpasses 50% of YKK’s Global Zipper Sales

YKK Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Koichi Matsushima; hereafter, YKK) announces that the global sales share of its Natulon® zipper series—zippers that incorporate recycled materials—has exceeded 50%. YKK began the full-scale global switchover to Natulon® products in FY2021, and with the support of customers worldwide,...

Fashion Partner Content

YKK Launches “YZiP® Light” Aluminum Alloy Zipper for Cotton Pants

YKK Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Koichi Matsushima; hereafter, YKK) has launched YZiP® Light, a lightweight aluminum alloy zipper for cotton pants, with sales beginning in late March. The introduction of YZiP® Light expands YKK’s zipper portfolio—led by the flagship YZiP® copper alloy zipper—providing customers with...

FashionPress Release

Revived Replacement Elements for VISLON® Wins the iF Design Award 2026

YKK Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Koichi Matsushima; hereinafter “YKK”) is proud to announce that its Revived Replacement Elements for VISLON® has been awarded the prestigious iF DESIGN AWARD 2026, an award that recognizes excellence in design and quality, organized by iF Design Foundation. Established in 1954 in...

FairsPartner Content

From Tokyo to London: The YKK Fastening Awards are coming to the UK

The YKK London Showroom is proud to announce a special window display in collaboration with YKK Japan, showcasing the winning works of the annual YKK Japan Fastening Awards to celebrate the 25th anniversary. The exhibition will be on view at YKK London Showroom, 154 Commercial Street, Shoreditch, E1 6NU, from 3 March 2026. Established in 2001,...

BusinessPartner Content

YKK wins two ISPO Textrends Awards for circular-focused innovations

YKK has received two recognitions at the latest ISPO Textrends Awards, with its 3D Composite Puller named Best Product in the Accessories category and the NATULON Plus® Fiber Sourced™ zipper with Recycled PET Open Parts selected as a Top 5 product. The awards highlight materials and components expected to influence upcoming performance and...

BusinessPartner Content

YKK London Showroom celebrates 10 Years of supporting emerging design talent

The celebration featured presentations from Kei Kagami, the architect and renowned fashion designer behind the showroom's industrial design, and Sabine Bourgeau, its founding manager, who traced the space's evolution since its 2015 launch. The showroom has positioned itself as a resource and creative hub for the UK's emerging design community,...

EventPress Release

YKK to Exhibit at Textile Exchange Conference 2025 in Lisbon — Showcasing YKK’s Initiatives Toward a Circular Economy

The annual Textile Exchange Conference brings together global stakeholders from the fashion and textile industries—including brands, supply chain partners, innovators, farmers, NGOs, and academics—to explore solutions for a sustainable future. The 2025 theme, “Shifting Landscapes,” focuses on climate adaptation and systemic transformation. As an...

Fashion

YKK joins Fashion Frontier Program to promote sustainable design education

YKK Corporation has partnered with the Fashion Frontier Program, an initiative supported by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment, to support the education of emerging fashion designers in sustainable practices. As part of the collaboration, YKK will lead a lecture titled “Little Parts. Big Difference.” at the program’s first incubation session...

Fashion

YKK to showcase sustainable zipper technology at Expo 2025 with University of Fukui collaboration

YKK Corporation has announced it will supply sustainably dyed zippers to the University of Fukui’s Fukumira Design Factory for its exhibit at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. The exhibit, titled “Science: Connecting You to the Future,” is backed by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and runs from August 14 to...