YKK’s latest collaboration helps save plastic from entering the world’s oceans.
The company announced this week a collaboration with Oceanworks, a marketplace for materials made from recycled ocean plastic. The marketplace will sell YKK’s Natulon Ocean Sourced zippers for brands and designers to order.
YKK first debuted its Natulon Ocean Sourced zipper in January at ISPO Munich in Germany and Outdoor Retailer in Denver. The zippers use plastic collected within 31 miles of the coastline of Sri Lanka and demonstrate the same functionality and durability as zippers made from virgin polyester.
As part of the collaboration, Oceanworks also helped YKK create the supply chain for the yarn made from ocean bound plastic.
“Oceanworks was instrumental in helping us source the yarn that goes into Natulon Ocean Sourced zippers,” said Mike Maekawa, category manager for YKK. “Without their help, our development would have taken far longer, delaying the introduction of Natulon Ocean Sourced zippers to the market.”
YKK’s collection of sustainable trims also includes the GreenRise zipper, which uses plant-based plastic; organic cotton zippers made from GOTS certified yarn; and the Natulon zipper made from recycled PET bottles. The collection features zippers that use Eco-Dye water-free dyeing technology and environmentally friendly snaps and buttons made using non-toxic Acro-Plating technology.
