Aluminium Trade Fair: YKK to Replace Traditional Aluminium Alloy with Low-Carbon Aluminium for Zips

YKK has announced that it will begin sourcing alloy wire made from low-carbon aluminium, with the aim of gradually transitioning from traditional aluminium alloy zips to environmentally friendly zips made from low-carbon aluminium.

According to the Aluminium Trade Fair, YKK has agreed to a contract on the use of low-carbon aluminium with Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd. and Toyama Sumitomo Electric Co. Starting in fiscal 2024, YKK will begin purchasing alloy wires using low-carbon aluminium as the material for aluminium alloy zips, and will gradually expand the range of applications.

YKK has adopted the YKK Vision for Sustainable Development 2050, which is a sustainable development goal to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, and set targets under five themes: climate change, material resources, water resources, chemicals management, and respect for human rights. YKK has been working to achieve the 10 SDG targets related to each of these themes.

For the climate change theme, under the 1.5°C target endorsed by the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), YKK is working to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within the company and throughout YKK's supply chain, with a target of reducing Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 50% by 2030 (compared to 2018) and Scope 3 emissions by 30% (compared to 2018). The adoption of low-carbon aluminium as a zip material is one of YKK's initiatives to achieve the Scope 3 emissions reduction target.

Terry Tsukumo, Vice President, Product Strategy Department, Global Sales Headquarters, YKK Corporation, said, "To date, YKK has been working to reduce GHG emissions by increasing the use of recycled and plant-based materials in zip textile materials and shifting to eco-friendly products. In addition to this, Low Carbon Aluminium is a new initiative by YKK to reduce the environmental impact of metal materials used in zips. We will continue to work with our business partners to reduce our environmental impact throughout the supply chain."