Environmental Leader

The YKK Group, based in Japan, is targeting zero emissions at all its global production sites by recycling, according to its Social and Environmental Report 2009. The group’s recycling rate increased to 97.9 percent in fiscal year (FY) 2008, up from 97.6 percent in FY 2007. In fiscal 2005, the company achieved zero emissions at its domestic production sites.

The report also reveals that YKK’s emissions increased slightly to 324,000 tons of CO2 in FY 2008, up from 323,000 tons in FY 2007. The company’s reduction target is 303,000 tons of CO2 by 2012.

YKK also has been investing in energy-saving technologies and high-efficiency equipment across its three operating groups, reducing electricity use by 12-75 percent, in certain instances. The three operations are comprised of fastening products, architectural products and machinery and engineering.

As an example, the YKK Portugal plant has switched to a hot water supply system that uses solar energy, which cut the amount of electricity used by 75 percent.

The YKK Indonesia plant also cut electricity use 12 percent and gas usage 20 percent by switching to high-efficiency burners, using exhaust heat, and controlling burning patterns.

The YKK INDIA plant began recycling wastewater from dyeing processes starting in September 2008. In the future, the plant plans to recycle 100 percent of its wastewater.

YKK is conducting voluntary soil inspections to identify soil pollution risks and asbestos inspections at all sites in Japan. The company also has established the YKK Fastening Green Procurement (YFGP) System to handle the requirements of hazardous substance regulations in countries where it has operations.