YKK Eliminates Key Barrier to Textile-to-Textile Recycling

YKK Corporation’s new product is an example of how the Tokyo trims giant is innovating with circularity in mind.

Last week the company launched DynaPel, a water-repellant zipper featuring Green Theme Technologies’ Empel solution. Designed to be compatible with garment recycling systems, DynaPel uses Empel instead of the standard PU film to achieve its water repellency. By eliminating the PU film, YKK removes one barrier of textile-to-textile recycling of performance apparel.

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Since conventional chemical and mechanical garment recycling systems cannot process the polyurethane film commonly used on water-repellent zippers, it is necessary to remove zippers from garments before recycling. This extra step, YKK said, often deters recyclers from accepting garments with PU zippers, resulting in unnecessary waste.

Additionally, the Empel technology uses advanced green chemistry devoid of PFAS. Testing recently uncovered PFAS in some of the company’s waterproof products.

DynaPel adds to YKK’s growing roster of sustainable solutions. The company expanded its use of sustainable materials in 2022.

In its new sustainability report, YKK said 26 percent of the textiles in its fastening products contained recycled, plant-derived, and other sustainable materials, up 14 percent from the year prior.

Unit sales for YKK’s recycled zipper series, Natulon, have increased 176 percent year-on-year. The company said it is also “dramatically expanding” the Natulon Plus zipper line which have a high ratio of recycled materials.

As demand grows, YKK said it aims to increase the ratio of products using sustainable materials by 41 percent in fiscal 2023.

The report details YKK’s sustainable wins.

The company reduced its landfill waste by 525 tons. Additionally, the target year to reach a 90 percent waste resource conversion rate was moved up from 2030 to 2025.

YKK also reduced water intake by 1.3 million tons compared to the FY2018 baseline. The company enhanced its chemical management by adopting ZDHC MRSL for manufacturing processes, integrating restricted substance management into product development, and renewing its OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification.