YKK Steps Up Sustainability Efforts With bluesign Partnership

YKK has furthered its sustainability efforts by becoming an ecosystem partner with bluesign, the independent textile industry standards group.

Contributing to a sustainable society has long been a core principle of of YKK, the zipper and fasteners company. In 1994, YKK established the YKK Group Environmental Charter to effectively address environmental issues across its global organization. The goal of the charter is to ensure health and prosperity for mankind in harmony with the environment. Other initiatives range from the Yoshida Scholarship Foundation to the YKK Fastening Green Procurement approach.

Using the latest technological advances, YKK continues to promote environment friendly policies in all its business activities, contributing to a reduced carbon footprint, resource recycling and harmony with nature, to ensure a sustainable future.

YKK manufacturing facilities operate under ISO 14001 and the main product lines comply with the Oeko-Tex standards. Joining the bluesign system, and committing to certifying its fastening products over time, seems a natural step to take.

"Corporate social responsibility is a hot topic in the textile industry and it is normal that the market expects YKK to react to the increasing importance of bluesign technologies' reputation within it," says Johnny de Boer, a marketing manager at YKK in Europe. "Although most people will already be aware of YKK's strong historical emphasis on sustainability, we are very proud and happy to become a bluesign system partner. YKK is continuing to do what it is good at and the bluesign system will offer assurance to our customers and end users of our approach towards sustainability."