YKK Corporation Releases “This is YKK 2026” Integrated Report
October 01, 2026
TOKYO, Japan (October 1, 2026) - YKK Corporation announced that the release of the integrated report, “This is YKK 2026.”
The report provides a comprehensive overview of YKK’s value creation initiatives aimed at achieving long-term sustainable growth in its fastening business, together with the progress of its mid-term business strategies and sustainability initiatives. It presents these efforts through a narrative centered on the CYCLE OF GOODNESS® and the YKK Philosophy, values that have been continuously upheld from the time of founder Tadao Yoshida to the present day.
Under its 7th Mid-Term Business Plan (FY2025–FY2028), which commenced in FY2025, YKK has adopted ‘Contribute to a Sustainable Society as ONE YKK’ as our policy. This report outlines the progress, achievements, and future challenges related to the Seven Priority Measures established to realize this vision. In addition, it introduces initiatives aimed at strengthening YKK’s manufacturing capabilities through the application of digital technologies, efforts that have accelerated under the Digital Transformation Division established in April 2026. The report also highlights YKK’s human capital strategy, which serves as the foundation supporting these business activities and value creation efforts.
The report also details FY2025 achievements and future plans toward realizing the YKK Sustainability Vision 2050, reflecting YKK’s commitment to sustainability as a central pillar of management. It highlights initiatives to advance decarbonization and the transition to a circular economy. In addition, the report introduces efforts to strengthen global governance through a message from the Chairman of the Board of Directors and a dialogue between the Chairman and an Outside Audit & Supervisory Board Member.
■ Main Topics in “This is YKK 2026”
YKK Philosophy & Sustainability / History of Value Creation and Growth / Putting the YKK Management Principles into Practice / Message from the President / YKK’s Value Creation Process / 7th Mid-term Business Plan and Strategy / YKK Sustainability Vision 2050 / Corporate Governance / Financial and Non-Financial Highlights / ESG data
■ Publication Format
- Published in Japanese, English, and Chinese
- Print Version: A4 size, 60 pages / PDF Data: A4 size, 104 pages
Visit the YKK website to view the Integrated Report “This is YKK 2026”
■ Initiatives Toward Achievement of the YKK Sustainability Vision 2050
As a global company, YKK has established the YKK Sustainability Vision 2050, which aims to achieve climate neutrality and coexistence with nature by 2050. Under this vision, YKK is advancing multifaceted initiatives across five key themes: Climate Change, Material Resources, Water Resources, Chemical Management, and Respect People. This report provides an update on the progress of these initiatives.
In the area of Material Resources, YKK is promoting initiatives toward extending product life and advancing resource circularity by considering the entire lifecycle of fastening products, from the planning and design stage through use and end-of-life. One example is the NATULON Plus® Fiber Sourced™ Zipper with Recycled PET Open Parts, which uses fiber-derived recycled PET for the tape, elements, open parts, and core cord. Designed to be easily recycled together with garments, the product supports a circular economy that utilizes textile waste as a resource. In recognition of its innovative circular design, it was selected as a Top 5 item in the Accessories category of the ISPO Textrends Awards 2025.
YKK is also expanding its Revived Renewal Series, which makes zipper repairs easier and helps extend the life of textile products. In addition, global sales of the NATULON® zipper series, which incorporates recycled materials in components such as the tape, reached 56% as of YKK’s global zipper sales at the end of FY2025.
Furthermore, YKK is committed to identifying and nurturing the next generation of talent who will contribute to the realization of a circular economy. To mark the 25th anniversary of the YKK Fastening Awards in FY2025, YKK established a new Circular Design Special Award, providing participants with opportunities to gain practical experience in product design approaches that integrate environmental considerations from the outset.
with Recycled PET Open Parts
Through this report, YKK seeks to deepen engagement and dialogue with its stakeholders while advancing initiatives to realize its business policy, ‘Contribute to a Sustainable Society as ONE YKK.’ By promoting decarbonization and the transition to a circular economy through the effective use of resources, YKK will continue to collaborate with customers and society to create a more sustainable future through manufacturing.
■ Results of FY2025 Activities Toward Realizing the Goals of YKK Sustainability Vision 2050
【Climate change】
- Scope 1+2 GHG emissions: 179,532t (67.1% reduction from FY2018 baseline)
- Scope 3 GHG emissions: 705,957t (19.2% reduction from FY2018 baseline)
- Renewable energy ratio of all power consumption: 72.3%
- Locations running on 100% renewable energy: 47
- Solar power generation facilities in operation: 15 (77 in total, 37 sites)
- Phase out coal-fired boilers
【Material resources】
- Proportion of materials with lower GHG emissions than virgin materials: 54% (up 6 points year-on-year)
- Switched to packaging materials with lower GHG emissions than virgin materials: 35%
- Waste recycling rate: 94.6% (up 3.6 points year-on-year)
- Added availability of top stops that support slider repairability
- Launched the NATULON Plus® zipper with Recycled PET Open Parts, made with PET to support garment recycling
- Successfully implemented an in-house recycling system for the copper alloys used in zippers; expanded trials overseas with a view to implementing an in-house recycling system for zinc
- Solely targeted suppliers with the “The Copper Mark” certification1 , that also have the “The Zinc Mark” certification2 , and encouraged non-certified suppliers to obtain certification
- Conducted tree-planting activities and clean-up activities on and off company grounds
【Water resources】
- Water intake: 9.234 million t (19.4% reduction compared to FY2018)
- Water intensity: 12.0% decrease (compared to FY2024)
- Introduced production facilities that will lead to reduced water consumption, as well as four new water recycling facilities, bringing the total number of water recycling facilities to 19 sites.
- Continued wastewater quality management based on ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines
- Conducted activities to reduce water risks
【Chemical management】
- Informed suppliers about the YKK Restricted Substance List (RSL) (2025 version) and conducted compliance surveys
- Informed suppliers about the YKK RSL (2025 version) and conducted compliance surveys (1,798 companies)
- Conducted tests to monitor status of compliance with the OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certification (46 companies) and the AFIRM3 RSL (39 companies)
- Introduced and deployed InCheck reports for ZDHC MRSL4 compliance assessments (34 companies)
- Selected alternative materials for non-compliant products in the YKK RSL (2023 version) and promoted the development of materials, manufacturing processes, etc.
- Established a new sub-group for non-compliant products in the YKK RSL; reviewed a company-wide, cross-departmental approach to developing alternatives and ensuring rigorous sales management, then implemented it for certain products.
【Respect people】
- Established a weekly management system for working hours at each manufacturing location
- With regard to identifying and assessing the risk of human rights violations according to the YKK Global Criteria of Compliance (YGCC), implemented self-checks at all applicable locations (48 locations) and on-site audits conducted by a third-party organization (21 locations)
- *1The Copper Mark certification is an international framework for responsible production and contributing to the UN SDGs in the copper industry
- *2The Zinc Mark certification is an international framework for responsible production and contributing to the UN SDGs in the zinc industry
- *3Apparel and Footwear International RSL Management Group
- *4Manufacturing Restricted Substances List