Japanese producer of apparel zippers, YKK has developed an Eco-Dye technology at its Kurobe facility in Japan facility by using super critical fluid dyeing (SFD) technology.
According to YKK, this technology enables it to reduce the amount of water used in the zipper dyeing process to almost zero.
The SFD technology uses carbon dioxide (CO2) as a dyeing medium that makes it possible to reduce water use to nearly zero and also avoid waste water problem.
In addition, CO2 used can also be collected and reused with another advantage being that, use of SFD does not require drying, which in turn results in reduction of energy use.
YKK is now testing and working further on development of the Eco-Dye technology for mass production.
The zipper manufacturer, who operates in 71 countries, has not yet decided commercialisation of the technology and an actual release date of Eco-Dye made zippers.
“YKK Group is aiming at making contributions to sustainable society by manufacturing and creating new value in cooperation with local communities, customers and employees,” it said.
YKK added by saying that it will continue to take efforts to develop and spread eco-friendly technologies and environmentally conscious products. (AR)
