[pageLogInLogOut]

#Textile processing

YKK receives ISPO Textrends Awards for circular innovations

YKK’s 3D Composite Puller named best product in Accessories category; NATULON Plus® Fiber Sourced™ with Recycled PET Open Parts earns top 5 spot

© 2025 YKK
YKK Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Koichi Matsushima; hereafter, YKK) is pleased to announce that the ISPO Textrends judges have selected YKK's 3D Composite Puller as the Best Product in the Accessories category. They also selected YKK’s NATULON Plus® Fiber Sourced™ zipper with Recycled PET Open Parts as a Top 5 item in the same category. The competition, held twice a year in conjunction with the ISPO trade show, recognizes the most innovative performance textiles, components, and apparel.

Overview of Award-Winning Products

■ Best Product: 3D Composite Puller

The 3D Composite Puller combines YKK’s expertise in zipper technology with Variloom’s on-demand 3D printing and molding system. Utilizing Variloom’s recyclable bio-based TPU and 3D printing process, this product eliminates traditional molding requirements and the constraints of high minimum order quantities (MOQs). It enables customization of shape,

texture, attachment style, color, and logo—features that are difficult to achieve with conventional injection molding—offering brands and designers new possibilities in both functionality and aesthetics.

■ Top 5 Award: NATULON Plus® Fiber Sourced™ with Recycled PET Open Parts

NATULON Plus® Fiber Sourced™ zipper is made using recycled PET from discarded clothing and textile waste—integrated into both the tape and the elements. Designed with circularity in mind, it utilizes a mono-material construction, with all components of the chain, including the Open Parts, made from recycled PET derived from fiber. 

To deliver exceptional durability and long-lasting performance, the slider is crafted from recycled zinc. This choice reflects the core principles of circularity—longevity and durability—while ensuring the material can be easily separated during garment preprocessing for future reuse. 

© 2025 YKK
© 2025 YKK


By utilizing recycled PET from textiles, NATULON Plus® Fiber Sourced™ with Recycled PET Open Parts helps reduce environmental impact while supporting the emerging textile-to-textile ecosystem. With less than 1% of all clothing globally recycled into new garments, NATULON Plus® Fiber Sourced™ with Recycled PET Open Parts represents YKK’s commitment to textile-to-textile recycling and the realization of a circular society.

Terry Tsukumo, Senior Vice President, Product Strategy Division, Global Sales Headquarters, YKK Corporation, comments: "Receiving these ISPO Textrends Awards underscores YKK’s commitment to innovation. We continue to push boundaries by developing products that not only advance performance but also address the environmental challenges facing the textile industry.”

Product Details:　

NATULON® Fiber Sourced™ | YKK DIGITAL SHOWROOM


NATULON Plus® with Recycled PET Open Parts | YKK DIGITAL SHOWROOM




Both products are concept items exhibited for the ISPO Textrends Award and are currently under development, with no specific timeline for commercialization determined at this time.




More News from YKK

#Textile processing

YKK invests USD 150 million in new manufacturing facility in India

YKK Corporation has announced plans to construct a new manufacturing facility in India, reinforcing its long-term commitment to one of the world's fastest-growing textile and apparel production hubs. The new factory will be built at Origins by Mahindra in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and will become the third manufacturing site of YKK India Private Limited. The facility is expected to be completed by February 2028 and represents an investment of approximately USD 150 million, covering land, buildings, machinery and equipment.

#Textile processing

YKK joins ZDHC as a Signatory Supplier, strengthening commitment to eliminating hazardous chemicals

YKK Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Koichi Matsushima; hereafter, YKK) has joined ZDHC (Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals) as a Signatory Supplier as of May 2026.

#Textile processing

NATULON® zipper series surpasses 50% of YKK’s global zipper sales

YKK Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Koichi Matsushima; hereafter, YKK) announces that the global sales share of its NATULON® zipper series—zippers that incorporate recycled materials—has exceeded 50%.

#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

YKK launches “YZiP® Light” aluminum alloy zipper for cotton pants

YKK Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Koichi Matsushima; hereafter, YKK) has launched YZiP® Light, a lightweight aluminum alloy zipper for cotton pants, with sales beginning in late March. The introduction of YZiP® Light expands YKK’s zipper portfolio—led by the flagship YZiP® copper alloy zipper—providing customers with greater flexibility to meet diverse garment needs.

More News on Textile processing

#Texprocess 2026

Eton’s AI-driven sorting system targets growing resale market

At the recent Texprocess exhibition in Frankfurt, Eton Systems – a member of TMAS, the Swedish textile machinery association – demonstrated its new aUPS module for the rapid sorting of used garments.

#Texprocess 2026

Sustainable embroidery materials and digital finishing attract attention at GUNOLD booth

More exhibition space, more visitors, and a high level of international participation: GUNOLD’s concept for this year’s Texprocess 2026, which took place in Frankfurt am Main from April 21 to 24, 2026, was a complete success. “Our decision to showcase our entire product range alongside application examples and expert tips was very well received,” says Marketing Director Stephan Gunold, delighted with the positive outcome of the trade show. The focus was particularly on the Stockstadt-based company’s sustainable products as well as its laser, engraving, and sublimation services.

#Textile processing

trinamiX mobile NIR spectroscopy: New applications for the footwear and textile industry

trinamiX GmbH expands its solution portfolio for the circular economy, now enabling the identification of materials used in the footwear and textile industries. With its mobile near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy solutions, trinamiX supports manufacturers, sorters, recyclers, and brand owners in reliably identifying materials and improving transparency across increasingly complex value chains.

#Texprocess 2026

Texprocess 2026: Style3D | ASSYST showcases AI, 3D, 2D and automation and meets strong industry response

Four days, countless discussions and a clear signal from the industry: the future of fashion is digital and AI-driven. At Texprocess 2026, Style3D | ASSYST demonstrated how AI, 3D and automation are already fundamentally transforming processes from design to production.

Latest News

#Research & Development

GenuTrace client advisory: Is your cotton supply chain UFLPA ready?

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has released updated operational guidance (CBP Publication No. 5560-0526) expanding its forced labor enforcement framework. The guidance supersedes the original 2022 UFLPA Operational Guidance and now covers all forced labor enforcement authorities — UFLPA, CAATSA, and WROs/Findings — in a single unified document. For cotton importers, the enforcement posture has not softened. It has become more structured, more documented, and more demanding. Learn more about UFLPA.

#Carpets

DOMOTEX Hannover 2028 off to a strong start with expanded portfolio

Preparations for DOMOTEX 2028 are already gaining strong momentum. Following its successful repositioning as the Home of Flooring & Interior Finishing, around 100 international manufacturers have already secured their place during the initial registration phase.

#Knitting & Hosiery

STOLL: Agreement signed for the divestiture of selected assets

In early 2025, KARL MAYER announced its strategic decision to focus on its core business areas of WARP KNITTING, WARP PREPARATION, and TECHNICAL TEXTILES. As part of this move, the flat knitting machine business under the STOLL brand was discontinued and the production site in Reutlingen was closed in October 2025.

#Research & Development

TERNAfil wins first place at PitchMiUp Night 2026 in Minden

The RWTH spin-off TERNAfil has developed MAXCarbon, a new high-performance hybrid fibre that combines the mechanical performance of carbon with the temperature and corrosion resistance of ceramic materials. For this development, TERNAfil was awarded first prize at the PitchMiUp Night in Minden on 21 May 2026.

TOP