YKK launched a revolutionary new zipper concept at ISPO Munich 2012 last week called Ultra Light Zipper, which is being developed to answer the ongoing lightweight trend in sports and outdoor apparel. Unlike normal zippers the innovation has no 'teeth' is flexible and requires no sewing.

“Seamless, the zipper chain of Ultra Light Zipper is directly applied on a wide breathable membrane fabric, decreasing the weight of the whole garment. Flexible as never before seen in a zip fastener, Ultra Light Zipper is also highly packable.”

YKK says the current development will become available in a 3 layer membrane up to 180 mm wide, which will allow Ultra Light Zipper to be used as a closed-end fastening solution, for pit ventilation, as a half front-zipper, and for pockets.

 “In a world where product performance can mean the difference between success and failure, where product development, without compromise, delivers the ultimate experience, YKK bring you the missing link, a revolutionary performance fastener : Ultra Light Zipper” declares Johnny de Boer, Marketing Manager for the European HiTech Division at YKK.

“We have been working on this product to answer our customer’s key demand for lighter weight apparel, and we are very happy with the different garments that are already developed using the Ultra Light Zipper concept by Mammut and Millet. We are hoping to roll out this concept in the market soon."

YKK says it will pursue its research to provide more solutions using the Ultra Light Zipper.