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YKK develops nonwoven zipper tape from used clothing

By Haydn Davis
14 July 2026

The project claims to be first known use of DFT‑derived nonwoven sheets as zipper tape, rather than as traditional apparel or industrial substrates

TOKYO- Apparel fastening solutions manufacturer YKK has developed a concept version of its premium Excella zipper series in which the tape is a nonwoven fabric sheet regenerated from used clothing and other textile waste, using Seiko Epson’s Dry Fiber Technology (DFT).

The project is the first known use of DFT‑derived nonwoven sheets as zipper tape, rather than as traditional apparel or industrial substrates.

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