YKK Commits to Achieving Climate Neutrality by 2050

TOKYO, October 12, 2020 /3BL Media/ – At today’s Copenhagen Fashion Summit, global sustainable trims leader YKK announced the YKK Sustainability Vision 2050, which will serve as a roadmap to the company achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, among other targets. The Sustainability Vision 2050 consists of five themes with corresponding sustainability goals, as well as ten SDGs.

Theme 1:  Climate Change  Tackle greenhouse gas emissions and increase use of renewable energy

With the goal of being carbon neutral by 2050, YKK commits to a 50% reduction of Scope 1 (direct emissions) and Scope 2 (indirect emissions) emissions from a 2018 baseline year by 2030. It also commits to a 30% reduction in Scope 3 emissions (all indirect emissions not included in Scope 2 that occur in its value chain). In order to achieve these targets, YKK will:

• Reduce energy consumption through improved manufacturing and auxiliary equipment efficiency, streamlined operations and processes.
• Stop the construction of new facilities using coal by 2019 and abolish all coal use in YKK facilities by 2030.
• Install renewable power sources at YKK owned facilities for power generation where feasible.
• Reduce Scope 2 emissions by purchasing renewable energy wherever possible.
• Reduce Scope 3 emissions by switching to 100% sustainable textile materials by 2030.

Theme 2:  Material Resources  Increase use of sustainable materials

YKK commits to reducing waste and the use of petroleum derived materials throughout the lifecycle of its Fastening products. It further commits to contributing to the transition to a circular society by eliminating production and plastic waste and by developing products designed for circularity. In order to achieve these targets, YKK will:

• Switch to 100% sustainable textile materials (recycled materials, naturally derived materials, etc.) by 2030.
• Replace all vinyl/plastic packaging materials with sustainable packaging, including recyclable / reusable forms by 2030.
• Reduce the amount of waste to be landfilled or incinerated at all productions sites and increase waste recycling rate to 90% by 2030.

Theme 3:  Water Resources  Reduce water use and manage wastewater

To combat serious water resource depletion and degradation, YKK commits to the following actions:

• Reduce water intake through efficient usage, the development of new water saving production methods, and the increased recycling of wastewater.
• Strictly manage wastewater at all manufacturing sites in accordance with government regulations and YKK in-house standards established based on industry standards such as Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC).

Theme 4:  Chemical Management  Manage and reduce chemical usage

To ensure a healthy environment for future generations, YKK will reduce the environmental impact caused by chemicals used in the manufacture of its products using the following measures:

• Manage and further reduce the use of chemical substances in product manufacturing from input to output in accordance with YKK’s own standards (YKK Restricted Substance List), which was established based on industry standards such as the ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (ZDHC MRSL).
• Confirm that finished products meet industry standards such as Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX®, ensuring they are free of harmful substances.
• Develop new production methods that reduce and eliminate the use of toxic chemicals.

Theme 5:  Respect people   Uphold human rights and ensure fair, safe work environments

YKK pledges to uphold the universal philosophy of respecting the dignity and rights of all human beings. The company commits to being inclusive and improving work environments throughout its supply chains by:  

• Implementing the YKK Global Criteria of Compliance (YGCC) audit, a comprehensive standard based upon YKK’s “Cycle of Goodness” philosophy and the ISO26000 guidelines, at YKK Group facilities.
• Conducting periodic evaluations by third party auditors to assure transparency and improvement of sustainable practices.

YKK to Focus on ten United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

To ensure that its sustainability roadmap is aligned with needs of society, YKK mapped each of its five themes with the UN SDGs. While the company intends to tackle all 17 SDGs, the following ten were identified as the ones on which YKK could make the most impact: 

• Goal 5      Gender Equality
• Goal 6      Clean Water and Sanitation
• Goal 7      Affordable and Clean Energy
• Goal 8      Decent Work and Economic Growth
• Goal 10     Reduced Inequalities
• Goal 12    Responsible Consumption and Production
• Goal 13    Climate Action
• Goal 14     Life Below Water
• Goal 15    Life on Land
• Goal 16     Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

“YKK is constantly pursuing the creation of a sustainable society through our business,” said Hiroaki Otani, President, YKK Corporation. “At the core of all our corporate activities is the philosophy of YKK founder Tadao Yoshida, the ‘Cycle of Goodness.’ The idea that ‘no one prospers without rendering benefit to others’ clearly expresses the YKK Group's corporate spirit of continuing to prosper together with society and related industries, and we consider it to be a concept that leads to sustainability. Under the ‘Cycle of Goodness,’ YKK will address the essence of sustainability through our businesses and products and will continue to take on challenges in order to remain a socially good company.”

While YKK’s Sustainability Vision 2050 and goals are new, protecting the environment is part of YKK’s DNA. In 1994, YKK announced its first “Environmental Pledge” that proclaimed “harmony with the environment” as the “highest priority of YKK’s business activities.” In that same year, YKK launched the NATULON® zipper, which recycles approximately 3,600 plastic bottles per 10,000 zippers. NATULON® Ocean Sourced™, a premium collection of zippers made from plastic waste that has been collected within 50 km of the coastline of Sri Lanka, launched in January 2020. YKK’s GreenRise™ zipper, the first in the industry to use plant-based polyester, thereby achieving a 30% reduction in petroleum usage, was launched in 2019. YKK’s sustainable trim collection also features organic cotton zippers and zippers made using YKK’s ECO-DYE® dyeing technology, which has completely eliminated the usage of water in the dyeing process.

About YKK

Since the company’s founding in Tokyo in 1934, YKK has continuously set industry standards for quality, service, value, and innovation in the production of zippers, plastic hardware, hook and loop fasteners, webbing tapes, and snap and buttons. With integrated production and supply systems in 72 countries and regions around the world, YKK is positioned to meet the needs of the many industries we serve as they increasingly diversify and require shorter product cycles. Guided by the CYCLE OF GOODNESS® philosophy – no one prospers without rendering benefit to others – YKK aims to contribute to a sustainable society through its products and manufacturing operations and constantly seeks new ways to serve the changing needs of its customers while at the same time investing in its employees and giving back to its communities.