YKK Corporation explained its revived replacement elements for the Vislon zipper make it possible to repair Vislon zippers by attaching die-cast revived replacement elements using a special tool when elements have come off the zipper tape. 

YKK believes this roll out out along with the special tools will make repairs easier for each brand’s repair centres and will significantly reduce repair time by making it possible to repair only the damaged element portion instead of conventional repairs that remove entire zippers from products and stitch new ones on.

YKK pointed out longevity and reuse of final products are becoming increasingly important within the fashion industry and repair-oriented initiatives have been accelerating.

YKK Corporation's vice president of product strategy division, global sales headquarters, Terry Tsukumo, said: "Large volumes of apparel products are thrown away each year, and the resulting environmental impact is becoming a major problem. With YKK’s revived renewal series, YKK aims to streamline zipper repair work performed at brands’ repair centres and specialist repairers while striving to help bring about a circular society by enabling everyone to keep wearing their favourite clothing items for longer."

YKK's renewed series of products

• Revived replacement elements for Vislon: Zippers can be repaired by attaching die-cast revived replacement elements using a special tool to replace elements that have come off
• Revived replacement slider (coil zipper, size 3, reverse use): Makes it possible to easily replace broken sliders without needing any special tools
•  Vislon with revived top stop (size 5): Employs specially designed top stops that make it easy to remove and repair sliders
• Revived replacement puller for racquet coil zipper (size 8, front-side use): Special body and puller structure make it possible to easily replace broken and damaged slider pullers.

YKK added that it will continue adding to this series of products while aggressively working to tackle environmental problems throughout entire supply chains in the apparel industry.

In April, YKK Corporation said it will adopt eco-friendly aluminium for zippers in alignment with its aim to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as part of its sustainability vision for 2050.