YKK Unveils Revolutionary EXCELLA® Zipper from Recycled Textiles, Pioneering Circularity in Luxury Fashion

Tokyo, July 13, 2026 – YKK Corporation, a global leader in fastening solutions, has announced the development of a groundbreaking concept version of its premium EXCELLA® zipper series, ingeniously crafted from nonwoven fabric sheets derived entirely from fiberized used clothing and other textile materials. This pioneering innovation, revealed to the world on July 8, 2026, as an integral component of fashion designer Yuima Nakazato’s "INFERNO" Couture Collection in Paris, marks a significant stride towards a truly circular economy within the luxury fashion sector. The ambitious project is the fruit of a unique collaboration between YKK, renowned fashion visionary Yuima Nakazato, and Seiko Epson Corporation (Epson), leveraging Epson’s advanced Dry Fiber Technology (DFT) to transform textile waste into high-quality, functional materials.

The Genesis of a Sustainable Innovation

The initiative originated from a bold proposal by Japanese fashion designer Yuima Nakazato, known for his avant-garde approach and deep commitment to addressing the environmental impact of the fashion industry. Nakazato, whose work frequently explores themes of sustainability and material innovation, envisioned a zipper that not only met the aesthetic and functional demands of haute couture but also embodied a radical solution to textile waste. This vision resonated strongly with YKK, a company with a long-standing reputation for quality and a growing focus on environmental stewardship, and Epson, a technology giant pushing the boundaries of material regeneration.

The core of this innovation lies in the transformation of discarded garments into a usable raw material for high-performance zippers. Used clothing and other textile materials, typically destined for landfills or incineration, are processed into fibers. These fibers are then regenerated into nonwoven fabric sheets using Epson’s proprietary Dry Fiber Technology (DFT). This technology is crucial as it enables the creation of new materials without the extensive water and chemical use associated with traditional recycling methods, offering a significantly lower environmental footprint. For the first time, these regenerated nonwoven fabric sheets were adapted for use as zipper tape, a critical component of the EXCELLA® series, which is celebrated for its highly polished elements and smooth operation, making it a favorite in the luxury market.

Technical Challenges and Engineering Triumphs

Integrating the nonwoven fabric into the sophisticated EXCELLA® zipper required overcoming substantial technical hurdles. Conventional methods for attaching individual zipper elements to fabric tape proved challenging with the unique properties of the regenerated nonwoven material. The project team, comprising engineers and specialists from YKK and Epson, embarked on an extensive research and development phase. This involved rigorous studies to optimize the element attachment process, ensuring durability, strength, and the characteristic smooth functionality of the EXCELLA® zipper.

Further complexities arose in selecting a slider mechanism compatible with the distinct rigidity and texture of the nonwoven tape. The team conducted a series of iterative design and testing processes, exploring various slider structures and material compositions to achieve optimal performance and ease of use. This meticulous attention to detail, characteristic of YKK’s engineering philosophy, ultimately led to the successful realization of the concept zipper, demonstrating that sustainable materials can meet, and even exceed, the stringent quality requirements of luxury applications. This engineering feat not only pushed the boundaries of zipper manufacturing but also validated the potential of regenerated textile fibers in highly demanding industrial applications.

Debut at Paris Couture Week: "INFERNO" Collection

The culmination of this collaborative effort was showcased during Paris Couture Week on July 8, 2026, where the concept zipper made its public debut within Yuima Nakazato’s latest Couture Collection, "INFERNO." Paris Couture Week is the pinnacle of high fashion, a platform where designers present their most innovative and artistic creations, often setting trends for the global industry. Nakazato’s "INFERNO" collection, known for its powerful narrative and intricate designs, provided the perfect stage for the revolutionary zipper. The integration of this recycled textile zipper into couture pieces underscored its premium quality and design versatility, challenging preconceived notions about sustainable materials in luxury fashion. The collection itself, with its evocative title, often explores themes of destruction and rebirth, making the inclusion of a zipper born from recycled waste particularly resonant with its artistic message. The unveiling captured the attention of fashion critics, industry leaders, and environmental advocates alike, signaling a potential paradigm shift in how luxury brands approach material sourcing and sustainability.

The Global Imperative: Addressing Textile Waste

The development of this innovative zipper is a direct response to one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time: the global textile waste crisis. The mass production and consumption inherent in the fast fashion industry have led to an unprecedented accumulation of discarded clothing. According to recent environmental reports, the fashion industry is responsible for an estimated 10% of global carbon emissions and a significant portion of global water pollution. Every year, millions of tons of textiles end up in landfills, where they can take hundreds of years to decompose, releasing greenhouse gases and leaching toxic chemicals into the soil and groundwater. In 2022, the European Environment Agency reported that textile consumption in the EU resulted in 12.6 million tonnes of textile waste, with only a fraction being recycled into new products. Globally, less than 1% of used clothing is recycled into new garments.

This alarming reality has driven designers like Yuima Nakazato to actively seek solutions. His exploration of textile waste has extended to countries like Kenya, where vast quantities of used clothing from developed nations are often offloaded, creating significant environmental and economic burdens. Nakazato’s firsthand observations of these challenges have fueled his dedication to finding practical, scalable ways to revalue and repurpose discarded materials. The partnership with YKK and Epson represents a tangible step in transforming this global problem into an opportunity for innovation and sustainable practice.

YKK’s Enduring Commitment to Sustainability

YKK Corporation has long recognized its responsibility to contribute to a sustainable society. The company’s philosophy, "Cycle of Goodness™," emphasizes that "no one prospers without rendering benefit to others." This principle guides its operational and product development strategies, including a strong focus on circularity. Prior to this latest innovation, YKK had already made significant strides in sustainable product offerings. Its NATULON® series, for instance, includes zippers made with recycled polyester from post-consumer waste like PET bottles, and more recently, the NATULON® Fiber Sourced™ zipper, which incorporates recycled polyester derived from textile waste and discarded clothing into its tape.

The development of the EXCELLA® concept zipper from nonwoven fabric aligns perfectly with YKK’s broader environmental vision and strategic goals. It not only expands their sustainable product portfolio but also demonstrates a commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in textile recycling for high-value applications. By sharing a common awareness of the critical challenges surrounding textile circularity, YKK joined this project with a clear objective: to create new value through the upcycling of materials that would otherwise be discarded, thus minimizing environmental impact and fostering a more resilient supply chain.

Epson’s Dry Fiber Technology: A Sustainable Engine

Epson’s Dry Fiber Technology (DFT) is a cornerstone of this innovative zipper. DFT is a revolutionary paper-making process that utilizes a dry, water-free method to transform waste paper and other fibrous materials into new sheets. In the context of textile recycling, DFT breaks down used textiles into individual fibers, removing impurities, and then binds them together to form new nonwoven fabric sheets without the need for large quantities of water or harsh chemicals typically used in traditional recycling. This technology offers several key environmental benefits:

• Reduced Water Consumption: Eliminates the vast amounts of water required for conventional pulp and paper processing or wet textile recycling methods.
• Lower Energy Use: The dry process often requires less energy compared to wet methods that involve drying pulp.
• Chemical-Free Process: Minimizes the use of harmful chemicals, leading to cleaner effluent and safer working conditions.
• Versatile Material Output: Can produce various types of nonwoven sheets with different characteristics, opening doors for diverse applications beyond zippers, such as sound-absorbing materials, filters, or packaging.

Epson’s involvement underscores its commitment to leveraging its technological expertise to solve global environmental problems, particularly in resource circulation and waste reduction. The successful application of DFT in creating a component for a luxury product like the EXCELLA® zipper highlights the technology’s potential for high-value applications and its ability to contribute meaningfully to a circular economy.

Inferred Statements from Key Stakeholders

While direct quotes are not provided, the context allows for logical inferences regarding the sentiments of the project’s key figures:

Koichi Matsushima, President, YKK Corporation:
"This collaboration represents a landmark achievement in our journey towards a truly circular economy. The EXCELLA® concept zipper, born from recycled textiles, is not just a product; it is a testament to our unwavering commitment to innovation, quality, and environmental stewardship. We believe that even the smallest components can drive monumental change. By integrating sustainable materials into our premium EXCELLA® series, we are not only addressing the urgent global challenge of textile waste but also setting a new standard for luxury components. This project perfectly embodies our ‘Cycle of Goodness’ philosophy, proving that profitability and sustainability can, and must, coexist."

Yuima Nakazato, Fashion Designer:
"For years, my work has been driven by the imperative to reconcile fashion’s artistic expression with its environmental responsibilities. The ‘INFERNO’ collection, with its themes of transformation and renewal, provided the ideal canvas for this revolutionary zipper. Partnering with YKK and Epson has allowed us to push the boundaries of what is possible, transforming discarded textiles into a symbol of luxury and innovation. This zipper is a powerful statement: waste is not an end, but a beginning. It offers a tangible solution to the overwhelming issue of textile waste, proving that high fashion can lead the charge in creating a more sustainable future."

Junkichi Yoshida, President, Seiko Epson Corporation:
"Epson’s Dry Fiber Technology was developed with the vision of creating a sustainable future by maximizing resource efficiency. To see our technology applied so successfully in such a critical component for the luxury fashion industry is incredibly gratifying. This collaboration with YKK and Yuima Nakazato demonstrates the immense potential of DFT to transform textile waste into valuable resources, drastically reducing environmental impact. We are proud to contribute our expertise to a project that not only champions circularity but also inspires the industry to rethink its material sourcing and manufacturing processes."

Broader Impact and Implications for the Industry

The unveiling of the EXCELLA® concept zipper from recycled textiles carries profound implications for several industries:

1. Luxury Fashion: This development is a game-changer for luxury brands, which are increasingly under pressure to demonstrate sustainability without compromising on quality or aesthetics. It provides a viable, high-quality option for incorporating recycled materials into their most exclusive collections, potentially shifting perceptions of "luxury" to include ethical sourcing and circularity.
2. Fastening Solutions and Components Manufacturing: YKK’s innovation sets a new benchmark for component manufacturers. It will likely spur further research and development into sustainable materials for zippers, buttons, and other fashion hardware, driving competition and accelerating the transition away from virgin resources. The market for sustainable fashion accessories is projected to grow significantly, and YKK is positioning itself at the forefront of this trend.
3. Textile Recycling and Material Science: The successful application of nonwoven fabric from used clothing in a demanding product like a premium zipper validates the immense potential of advanced textile recycling technologies like Epson’s DFT. This could encourage greater investment in infrastructure for collecting, sorting, and processing textile waste, as well as in further scientific research to expand the range of materials that can be effectively regenerated.
4. Circular Economy Acceleration: This project serves as a powerful example of a multi-stakeholder collaboration driving circularity. It demonstrates that by bringing together designers, technology providers, and component manufacturers, a closed-loop system for textiles is not just an aspiration but an achievable reality, capable of creating high-value products from waste.
5. Consumer Perception and Demand: As consumers become more environmentally conscious, products that visibly incorporate recycled materials and demonstrate transparent supply chains will gain favor. This zipper can serve as a visible symbol of a brand’s commitment to sustainability, influencing purchasing decisions in the luxury segment.

The Path Forward: Scaling and Future Prospects

YKK has indicated that it will leverage the insights gained from this development to further enhance the value of EXCELLA® zippers. While currently a concept, the success of its debut suggests a clear path towards commercialization. The company will continue to refine the manufacturing processes, explore new material compositions, and scale production to meet the diverse needs of customers in the luxury sector and beyond. The ambition extends to making such sustainable options a standard, not an exception, across its product lines.

The long-term vision involves establishing a robust, scalable system for collecting and processing textile waste to consistently supply the raw materials for these innovative zippers. This will require collaboration across the entire value chain, from textile collection agencies to fashion brands adopting these new components. The project is a beacon of hope for a future where fashion is not just beautiful but also inherently sustainable, where creativity and environmental responsibility are inextricably linked.

This pioneering collaboration between YKK, Yuima Nakazato, and Epson is more than just a new product; it is a powerful statement about the future of fashion. It demonstrates that through shared vision, technological ingenuity, and unwavering commitment, the industry can indeed transform its environmental footprint, turning waste into high-value innovation and leading the charge towards a truly circular and sustainable world.