Japan's YKK Corporation joins Ellen MacArthur Foundation Network

With the release of A New Textiles Economy report in 2017, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation brought the impact of the fashion industry into the spotlight and prompted many industry stakeholders to take action in order to unlock the environmental and economic benefits that a circular economy for fashion can bring to the economy, the environment, and society. YKK has long been working to protect the planet through its products and processes and is further committed to actions and developments that are aligned with the Foundation's circular economy principles, the company said in a press release.

On the circulation of products and materials, YKK's latest innovation is the TouchLink slider, which makes digitally connected garments a reality and enables brands to unlock the hidden value of garments across their lifecycles. The TouchLink slider allows for the easy deployment of product passports to help keep products in circulation. 

On the regeneration of nature, YKK released its Environmental Charter in 1994, which proclaimed “harmony with the environment” as being the highest priority of its business activities. YKK signed the Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action in March 2020 and confirmed that commitment in October 2020, with the release of its Sustainability Vision 2050, the company’s roadmap for addressing climate change, material resources, water resources, chemical management and human rights, and aligned its efforts with ten UN SDGs. In March 2021, YKK’s emissions reduction targets were approved by the independent Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). 

Currently, YKK is focused on the development of products designed to work with garment recycling systems and digital product passports. The development of these and other technologies will be the key to ensuring that future garments will satisfy the needs of users and unlock opportunities for brands and retailers to develop products for circular business models, such as repair, remaking, rental, resale, and recycling. 

By becoming a member of the Foundation’s Network, YKK hopes to connect with the leading players across industries, learn how to better promote circularity, and collaborate in new developments of products that can activate circular business models in the fashion industry. 

“We are pleased to be joining an organization of like-minded companies focused on creating a circular economy,” said Asako Yoshioka, vice president of sustainability at YKK  Corporation. “Sustainability has been part of YKK’s DNA since the beginning and joining the Ellen MacArthur Foundation is another step in our journey to help create a circular economy that will benefit the economy, environment, and society.”