Japan-based, YKK Corporation, has released “This is YKK 2021,” a comprehensive report, emphasizing the company's success on medium-term management strategies, value creation aimed at long-term sustainable growth, and sustainability activities. The data is presented in the form of a story weaved around the YKK Philosophy of the "Cycle of Goodness" and management concepts that have been passed down inside the firm since Tadao Yoshida's founding.

YKK completed a global restructure in April 2021 in order to better meet the goals of its new Mid-Term Business Policy, "Sustainable growth under the new normal." "This is YKK 2021," a report that includes financial and non-financial data as well as YKK's Fastening Business's mid-and long-term goals, is part of the company's efforts under this new policy to further connect with stakeholders.

A supplemental "Data Book" has been issued with detailed information on YKK's progress on ESG goals. The YKK Sustainability Vision 2050, the company's path for reaching carbon neutrality by 2050, is documented in the Data Book. Climate change, material resources, water resources, chemical management, and respect for people were all given goals.

Climate change, material resources, water resources, chemical control, and human respect were all given goals. The company goes on to say that remarkable achievements were made in the fiscal year 2020.

The accomplishments in climate change activities include a 20% reduction in Scope 1, 2 GHG emissions (from a 2018 baseline); a 36% reduction in Scope 3 GHG emissions (from a 2018 basis); and a Greenhouse gas reduction target for FY 2030 verified by SBTi as matched with the "1.5°C targets."

In Material Resources, sales of the NATULON series of recycled zippers climbed by 88% year over year; landfill trash was decreased by 2,700 tonnes year over year; and production recycling increased to 82.3%.

The achievement in the field of water resources was an 18% reduction in total water intake by all manufacturing locations (year-on-year).

Chemical Management accomplishments include: strengthened in-house standards and 792 supplier compliance surveys; completed OEKO-TEX certification renewal for YKK products at 40 companies; and expanded AcroPlating, a new proprietary plating technology for brass that eliminates the harmful chemicals used in traditional electroplating.