YKK's sustainable Natulon zipper series has grown to account for over half of the company's global sales volume as part of its circularity initiatives.
Key facts
- •The Natulon series grew from 3 percent of sales in FY2019 to 56 percent in FY2025.
- •YKK sold 9.73 billion units during the 2025 fiscal year.
- •The company aims for the Natulon line to comprise 63 percent of sales by FY2026.
- •Kanade Konno of Bunka Fashion College won the 2025 Circular Design Special Award for a project focused on garment disassembly.
- •YKK plans to invest 8.4 billion yen in sustainability initiatives during FY2026.
In its FY2025 report, zipper manufacturer YKK announced that its sustainable Natulon product line now represents more than 50 percent of its global sales volume. The company reported 431.4 billion yen in net sales for the year, with 9.73 billion units sold. This shift toward sustainable materials has resulted in a reported reduction of 20,790 tons of greenhouse gas emissions compared to the use of virgin materials.
By the numbers
Growth of the Natulon Series
The Natulon series, which utilizes recycled polyester primarily sourced from PET bottles, has seen significant growth in recent years. The series accounted for 56 percent of YKK's business in FY2025, a substantial increase from 3 percent in FY2019. The company has set a target for the line to reach 63 percent of its sales share by FY2026.
New Product Development and Circularity
YKK is developing the Natulon Plus Fiber Sourced Zipper, a product designed to maximize mono-material construction to facilitate garment recycling. The zipper features recycled PET components and a slider made from recycled zinc alloy. The item was recognized as a top five accessory at the ISPO Textrends Awards 2025. Additionally, the company is expanding its repair components to allow for the replacement of damaged zipper sections rather than entire units.
Sustainability Vision 2050
The company's environmental efforts are guided by its Sustainability Vision 2050, which was established in 2020. The plan focuses on five themes: climate change, material resources, water resources, chemical management, and respect for people. YKK has allocated 8.4 billion yen for sustainability-related investments in FY2026 and was named to the CDP Climate Change 'A List' for the third consecutive year in FY2025.
Timeline
- 1994The first Natulon zipper was developed.
- 2020YKK Sustainability Vision 2050 was formulated.
- FY2025Natulon zippers reached 56 percent of the company's sales volume.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by WWD.
