YKK recently announced that it will now source only low-carbon aluminium alloy wire for its zippers. This transition is made possible through a partnership with Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. and Sumitomo Electric Toyama Co., Ltd., which will supply the sustainable aluminium material.
Conventional aluminium smelting is highly energy-intensive and generates varying levels of CO₂ emissions depending on the energy source used. In contrast, the low-carbon aluminium chosen for this initiative is produced using renewable energy, resulting in less than four metric tonnes of CO₂ emissions per ton of aluminium ingots, significantly reducing the material's environmental impact.
"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 aluminium's features—its lightweight and silver colour that is nickel-free and plating-free—and focus on developing products which can be widely used in apparel and luggage applications," said Terry Tsukumo, VP, product strategy division, global sales headquarters, YKK Corporation.
This shift marks a significant reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to using electricity generated from fossil fuel sources like thermal power. Embracing low-carbon aluminium is a key step in YKK's broader effort to transition all aluminium alloy zipper components to more sustainable alternatives.
YKK began sourcing low-carbon aluminium alloy wires in fiscal year 2024 and has been steadily expanding their use as part of a larger move toward environmentally responsible materials. This follows previous initiatives by the company to incorporate recycled and plant-based materials into the textile components of its zippers.
The company has set clear sustainability targets focused on five key areas: climate change, material resources, water resources, chemical management, and human rights. As part of its long-term vision, YKK aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.
As part of its commitment to tackling climate change, YKK is working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across its operations and supply chain by 90 per cent for Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions compared to FY 2018 levels. The adoption of low-carbon aluminium for zipper materials is a key initiative aimed at contributing to the company's Scope 3 emissions reduction target.
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