YKK Makes The Switch To 100-Percent Low-Carbon Aluminum For Use In Aluminum Alloy Zippers

TOKYO — May 22, 2025 — YKK Corp. will begin using only low-carbon aluminum (*1) as the source for all aluminum alloy wire procured for zippers, as part of its initiative to convert all aluminum alloy zipper items to sustainable products.

YZiP® with Silver Anodized Aluminum Elements

YKK, together with aluminum material manufacturers Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd. and Sumitomo Electric Toyama Co. Ltd., both based in Japan, agreed to a contract pertaining to the use of low-carbon aluminum. Beginning in FY2024, YKK began purchasing low-carbon aluminum alloy wires for use as materials in aluminum alloy zippers and gradually expanded their application.

YKK has adopted the YKK Sustainability Vision 2050, which sets the sustainability goals for realizing climate neutrality by 2050. The company has established targets in connection to five themes — climate change, material resources, water resources, chemical management, and respect people — and is working on initiatives to achieve 10 SDGs related to each of these themes.

Aluminum Alloy Zipper with Recycled Tape

In the key area of climate change, YKK is promoting initiatives to slash its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within the company and throughout its supply chain — by 90% for Scope 1 and 2 emissions and by 90% for Scope 3 emissions, compared to FY2018 levels — by 2050, based on the net-zero target outlined by the Science Based Targets (SBT) initiative (*2). Adopting low-carbon aluminum as material for zippers is one of YKK’s initiatives to achieve the reduction target for Scope 3 emissions.

YKK will continue to work with its customers and suppliers to accelerate efforts to reduce GHG emissions by developing and expanding sales of sustainable products and technologies, thereby contributing to the realization of a sustainable society.

“YKK has been promoting efforts to use recycled materials and plant-based materials in textile materials for zippers and to increase the ratio of such materials,” said Terry Tsukumo, vice president, Product Strategy Division, Global Sales Headquarters, YKK Corp. “In addition to these efforts, we will promote the use of low-carbon aluminum made from renewable energy sources, such as hydropower. Through these efforts, we aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to climate change mitigation by revamping our product lineup, while taking advantage of aluminum’s features—its light weight and silver color that is nickel-free and plating-free—and focus on developing products which can be widely used in apparel and luggage applications.”

*1: The aluminum smelting process requires a large quantity of electricity and emits different amounts of carbon dioxide depending on the power source used. The emissions of the low-carbon aluminum to be used for this initiative will be less than 4 metric tons of CO₂ per ton of aluminum ingots produced, as it uses renewable energy as the power source. This significantly reduces CO₂ emissions compared to using electricity generated from fossil fuels such as thermal power.

*2: The remaining 10% of emissions in the net-zero target must be reduced to zero through carbon absorption and removal, etc.

Posted: May 22, 2025

Source: YKK Corporation

Teijin Frontier Develops A New High-Performance Polyester Fabric With A Natural Fiber-Like Texture And Appearance

TOKYO — May 19, 2025 — Teijin Frontier Co. Ltd., announced today that it has developed a new high-performance polyester fabric, which combines the elegant appearance and texture of natural fibers made of yarns of random thickness with advanced functionalities such as cool touch, anti-stickiness, quick dry, opacity and ultraviolet (UV) protection.

The newly developed fabric is produced from a unique, four-lobed, flat cross-section yarn with random thicknesses, achieved through Teijin Frontier’s proprietary spinning technology. These thickness variations create pleasing irregularities in appearance and a dense texture similar to those of natural fibers. To support circularity, The newly developed fabric is made with 100 percent recycled polyester.

Teijin Frontier plans to make this fabric available to customers for use in casual and fashion apparel for the spring/summer 2026 season.

Combining Aesthetics and Functionality

There is strong demand for textiles that offer a natural and elegant appearance for casual and fashion apparel. At the same time, consumers are looking for value-added comfort features like those found in high-performance sportswear. Until now, it has been difficult to combine these high-performance features with a natural fiber-like appearance and texture.

To solve this issue, Teijin Frontier has created a fabric that offers both the appearance and texture of natural fibers and the comfort of high-performance materials. Using proprietary technology, this fabric is woven or knitted from a four-lobed, flat cross-section full dull yarn with random thicknesses in both the longitudinal and cross-sectional directions. Moreover, to achieve the combination of natural fiber like texture and advanced functionalities, Teijin Frontier also adopts special dyeing and finishing technology and post-processing techniques.

Delivering High Performance

The newly developed fabric delivers the following performance properties to enhance comfort and wearability:

  • Quick dry: Capillary action wicks away perspiration via grooves on the fiber surface.
  • Cool touch: Full dull yarn contains titanium oxide promotes a cooling sensation as heat is transferred from the skin to the fiber, flat cross-sectional shape increases the skin contact area.
  • Anti-stickiness: Random thicknesses of the yarn forms irregularities on the surface of the fabric and prevents its adherence to the skin.
  • Anti-transparency and UV protection: Full dull yarn and the four-lobed flat cross-sectional structure produce a light-scattering effect that creates opacity and helps to block UV radiation.

Teijin Frontier plans to begin sales of this fabric from fiscal year 2025 and aims to sell 250,000 meters by fiscal year 2027.

Posted: May 22, 2025

Source: Teijin Frontier Co., Ltd. / Teijin Group

Navis TubeTex Partners With Pluvia To Deliver Expanded Sales And Support For Continuous Washing And Bleaching Applications

LEXINGTON, N.C. — May 22, 2025 — Navis TubeTex is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with Pluvia, a European-based innovator in sustainable textile machinery. Through this collaboration, Navis will support the sales and service of Pluvia’s continuous ranges for washing and bleaching in the North American market.

This partnership brings together two companies known for performance, innovation, and customer commitment. Pluvia’s cutting-edge technology is recognized globally for its efficiency and sustainability in wet finishing processes. By aligning with Navis’ established sales and service infrastructure, this partnership ensures North American customers will now have local access to Pluvia’s advanced continuous ranges, along with expert support for installation, operation, and maintenance.

“Pluvia has developed an impressive suite of technologies that are efficient and aligned with Navis in our drive for more sustainable, high-performance solutions,” said Will Motchar, president and CEO of Navis TubeTex. “We’re proud to bring these systems into our offering and confident this partnership will deliver added value to a broader customer base”.

“Partnering with Navis TubeTex allows us to serve our North American customers with the responsiveness and technical expertise Navis has provided its customers in the U.S. market,” said Murat Agagunduz, CEO of Pluvia, “We’re excited to work with a company that shares our values in innovation, quality, and sustainability.”

Effective immediately, U.S.-based customers can reach out to Navis for sales inquiries, technical support, spare parts, and service related to Pluvia continuous ranges completing a full range of finishing technologies to serve the textiles, nonwovens, and other finished goods markets.

Posted: May 22, 2025

Source: Navis TubeTex

Trützschler’s TRUECYCLED Yarn Is Driving Sustainability In Lotus Cars

MÖNCHENGLADBACH, Germany — May 22, 2025 — Thanks to Trützschler’s advanced TRUECYCLED process, high-quality recycling yarn has now entered Lotus electric cars. Together with the German company Brain of Materials, Trützschler played a crucial role in ensuring that the so-called WYRON truecycled® yarn meets the strict requirements of the automotive sector. Featured in the Lotus Eletre and Emeya models, this innovative material proves that sustainability and top performance can go hand in hand.

The yarn’s premium haptics, lightweight properties, and sustainability attributes perfectly suit the spirit of Lotus’
Emeya and Eletre models. Copyright — Lotus Cars

Brain of Materials, located in Mönchengladbach, Germany, produces the WYRON truecycled yarn for Lotus, using state-of-the-art Trützschler technology. The open-end yarn consists of 50-percent post-consumer textile waste and 50-percent recycled polyester, Nm 15. It is used for the back sections of car seats, providing a sustainable solution without compromising the standards expected by Lotus, a prestigious car brand known for its high-performance sports cars and electric vehicles.

According to Lotus, the yarn’s premium haptics, lightweight properties, and sustainability attributes perfectly suit the spirit of its Emeya and Eletre models. Adding to its sustainability credentials, the production process — from collecting post-consumer waste to spinning the yarn — takes place entirely in Western Europe.

“At Lotus, we take a holistic design approach, with a commitment to true innovation and sustainability, whilst maintaining a luxury look and feel. WYRON truecycled yarn demonstrates that dedication, and we’re thrilled to be the first automotive brand to bring the material to life in our cars” said Marie-Camille Lecoq, head of CMF Sustainability at Lotus.

The heart of this success: Trützschler’s recycling expertise

Achieving such a breakthrough requires cutting-edge recycling technology and deep expertise. “At Trützschler, we are proud to contribute our decades of know-how in textile recycling and innovative machinery solutions to this pioneering project,” says Christian Franke, head of the Project Department at Trützschler. “By working closely with Brain of Materials for many years, we’ve ensured that the WYRON truecycled yarn meets the demanding standards of the automotive industry, while offering high quality and durability.”

This is made possible by the comprehensive TRUECYCLED process, which provides a system solution for textile recycling. Covering every step from cutting and tearing textile waste to carding and drawing secondary fibers, TRUECYCLED enables the efficient production of sustainable, reliable yarns that serve as a premium alternative to conventional materials.

Driving sustainability forward

The integration of WYRON truecycled yarn into Lotus vehicles marks a milestone in both the textile and automotive sectors. It proves that (textile) recycling can produce high-quality materials suited for the most demanding applications — showcasing its potential to shape the future of mobility and beyond.

Posted: May 22, 2025

Source: Trützschler – Maren Schubert

Better Sleep Starts With Smarter Materials: Precision Textiles Keith Martin Discusses Supply Chain Integrity In Magazine Feature

FAIRFIELD, N.J. — May 22, 2025 — In recognition of Better Sleep Month, Precision Textiles, an award-winning supplier of mattress components for the bedding sector, is highlighting the often-unseen components that help create a healthier, more restorative sleep experience — and encouraging the industry to think beyond surface comfort. Recently featured in Specialty Fabrics Review Magazine, Keith Martin, vice president of Precision Textiles, is shining a light on the often-overlooked role of supply chain integrity in achieving more sustainable sleep.

In the article, Martin explains how the wool supply chain is evolving to meet rising expectations around sustainability, animal welfare, and regenerative farming. From responsibly sourced materials to streamlined production practices, Martin emphasizes the growing importance of transparency, ethical sourcing, and component innovation. The company’s long-term use of GOTS-certified wool and other natural fibers in its flame barrier solutions demonstrates its ongoing commitment to environmentally responsible manufacturing and supply chain accountability in mattress production. It also reflects a broader commitment to supporting mattress manufacturers with components that perform reliably, reduce environmental impact, and build consumer confidence.

Keith Martin, vice president of Precision Textiles

“The emphasis on integrity and environmental responsibility reflects a growing understanding that the path to better sleep starts long before the mattress reaches the bedroom,” Martin said. “As more brands look to align with evolving consumer values, materials like certified wool offer a dual benefit — natural performance with a verifiable story behind it.”

As the article mentions, Precision Textiles has used certified wool in its products since 2016, including PurLoft and PurLoft Organic, which are both GOTS-certified and made using wool fibers that are naturally flame-resistant. “Used as a barrier placed directly beneath the mattress cover, these products also offer loft for enhanced comfort — demonstrating how sustainability, and innovation can work together,” Martin explained.

As consumers become more intentional about what’s in their mattresses — and manufacturers seek trusted partners to meet those expectations, Precision Textiles continues to lead with materials that deliver performance, sustainability and purpose. The company has long been committed to developing innovative solutions that not only meet the highest standards of safety and quality but also contribute to a healthier planet.

During Better Sleep Month and beyond, Precision Textiles remains focused on advancing sustainable solutions that elevate sleep quality, support ethical sourcing, and quietly redefine what it means to sleep better.

Posted: May 22, 2025

Source: Precision Textiles

Textiles Monterey Group Expands Operations With Acquisition Of Patrick Yarns

SHERBROOKE, Quebec & KINGS MOUNTAIN, N.C. — May 2, 2025 — Textiles Monterey Group is pleased to announce the successful acquisition of Patrick Yarns, previously a part of the Coats Group. Located in Kings Mountain, N.C., this facility will now operate under the name FilSpec USA, marking a new era of innovation and excellence in specialty yarn production.

This acquisition strengthens FilSpec commitment to delivering high-quality technical specialty spun yarns to customers across North America and Europe. FilSpec USA will join forces with FilSpec’s existing operations in Sherbrooke, Quebec, expanding production capabilities and reinforcing the company’s industry leadership.

“We are thrilled to welcome FilSpec USA to our family,” said Gilles Desmarais, president of Textiles Monterey Group. “This strategic growth enhances our ability to serve our customers with innovative solutions and premium yarn products across multiple markets.”

Both facilities will continue to uphold the company’s legacy of craftsmanship, technological advancement, and dedication to customer success.

Posted May 20, 2025

Source: FilSpec

2025 INDA Supply Report Shows North American Nonwovens Industry’s Continued Growth With A Focus On Sustainability

CARY, N.C. — May 20, 2025 — The 12th annual North American Nonwovens Supply Report, released today by INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, reveals continued growth and strategic transformation within the North American nonwovens industry.

For the second consecutive year, North American capacity continued to increase by over 100,000 metric tons, reaching 5.730 million metric tons in 2024, according to the report based on producer surveys and interviews.

Investments across all processing methods and diverse end-use sectors drove this expansion, according to the INDA findings. Production output continues to shift and slowed in 2024. The larger machine installations coming online promise future efficiency and capacity improvements.

The noteworthy trend is the installation of several new production lines, primarily in long-life sectors. This shift underscores the industry’s proactive efforts to achieve sustainability goals and reduce environmental impact.

Report Based on Producer Input

The annual INDA report delivers data to support industry growth and strategic planning, offering a detailed analysis of capacity, production, operating rates, and regional trade across North America, including Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Driven by extensive research, including producer surveys and in-depth interviews with industry leaders, the report provides a comprehensive picture of the nonwoven materials landscape, covering composites, roll and finished goods.

“As part of INDA’s role to be the industry’s trusted data source, this report offers valuable insights for benchmarking, strategic planning, and decision-making,” said Tony Fragnito, INDA president and CEO. “This year’s findings highlight a resilient industry expanding capacity with ongoing investments across all regions and sectors, a strategic shift toward sustainable, long-life products, and a commitment to innovation and meeting rising demand across North America.”

The entire report is provided free of charge to producers who provided information. The Executive Summary from the annual Supply Reports, the quarterly INDA Market Pulse, and the monthly Price Trends Summary are provided to INDA members on a complimentary basis as part of their membership. The data gathered for this annual report is a springboard for the biennial Global Nonwoven Markets Report, published in November 2024.

“INDA is committed to continuing to improve the quality of our data and industry insights, and the ongoing strong participation from suppliers makes that possible,” said Mark Snider, Chief Market and Industry Analyst. “As the market evolves to increasing pressures within the global supply chain, this report examines the key dynamics driving these changes.”

For more information or to purchase, visit: https://www.inda.org/market-intelligence/

Posted: May 20, 2025

Source: INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry

FIT Graduate Students Presented With Bob Fisch Awards For Entrepreneurial Excellence

NEW YORK CITY — May 20, 2025 — The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), a college of the State University of New York (SUNY), has announced that two $25,000 Bob Fisch Awards for Entrepreneurial Excellence have been presented to outstanding students in the Fashion Design MFA and Global Fashion Management MPS programs in its School of Graduate Studies. Bob Fisch — the founder and former chair and CEO of rue21, the award-winning author of the bestsellers Fisch Tales: The Making of a Millennial Baby Boomer and Get a Life: A Roadmap to Rule the World, and an FIT Foundation board member — established the awards to help advance the careers of students.

Fisch, widely recognized for his bold innovations in value-priced, fast fashion retailing, said: “Once again, all the students have inspired me, showcasing their academic achievements. I am proud to advise and coach them as they have infused their thesis projects with creativity, inspiration, and passion. It has been amazing mentoring these students the past two years. What is exciting to see is how they are starting their graduate school experience with curiosity and now leaving after two years with confidence to build on their future in business and life experiences. My role is helping the students to utilize the powerful word ‘pivot’ in their current experiences and into the upcoming future. Time to ‘face the fear,’ be bold and fearless to achieve their dreams and goals. The best is yet to come!”

“A gift from Bob is more than a contribution,” said FIT President Joyce F. Brown. “Students benefit beyond the financial support. He acts as their guide and sounding board, not only throughout the projects but into the future. Bob deeply believes in mentorship, but he believes that it is a two-way street, which gives young people a chance to learn from him while he learns from their creative young minds.”

“Since 2022, Bob has given out eight $25,000 entrepreneurial awards to students in both the Fashion Design and Global Fashion Management masters’ programs. Along with Bob’s mentorship, these awards have made a tremendous impact on the students and their futures,” said Dr. Brooke Carlson, interim dean of the School of Graduate Studies. “We are so grateful for Bob’s generosity these last four years.”

The 2025 recipients of the Bob Fisch Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence are:

Abbey DeFulviis, Erin Moronell, and Jessica Schneider, Global Fashion Management MPS, creators of CulturClasm. The team identified the problem of fashion networking in New York City being very exclusive and access to jobs hinging on insider connections. In response, the students developed CulturClasm, a way to build a community of fashion industry professionals that connects them with career opportunities through curated experiences and mentorship.

“[Winning this award] validates the problem we’ve identified—that there’s a need for collaboration within the fashion industry—and we’re really looking forward to fostering some meaningful relationships,” said Schneider.

With the award proceeds, CulturClasm plans to deploy its digital marketing strategy.

Lawson Park, Fashion Design MFA, creator of Brooks Avenue. Park developed and launched a print-driven apparel brand during her first year in the MFA program, which has already become very successful. The brand is based on original prints and unique styles inspired by the idea of living authentically, Park said: “I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit … it means a lot for Bob to see that potential in me and for him to validate that, and I’m excited to keep growing it.”

With the award proceeds, Park has a trifecta of plans: to grow the brand’s wholesale markets; to produce part of her thesis collection; and to restock the brand’s bestsellers.

Past recipients of the Bob Fisch Awards for Entrepreneurial Excellence include graduates: 

Gina Ciarrocchi, Global Fashion Management MPS, of Pittsburgh, PA, creator of Silversleeve; Talia Abbe, Fashion Design MFA, of New York, NY, creator of Tabbe Designs; Lindsey Mortensen, of Dallas, TX, Mubarak Abliz, of Xinjiang, China, and Victoria Shchepakina, of Saratov, Russia, all Global Fashion Management, for POSSE, the Innerwear as Outerwear luxury lingerie brand created for sizes D cup and up; Valeria Watson, Fashion Design MFA, of Guadalajara, Mexico, creator of Valeria Watson, a clothing line that explores the blend of cultures between the United States and Mexico; Amanda Brown, of New York, NY, Eva Carelus, of Freeport, NY, and Gerry Chen, of New York, NY, all of Global Fashion Management MPS, for Maid to Alter, a circular bridesmaid dress brand with rentable dresses that have self-adjustable features that allow one garment to serve many customers, saving bridesmaids time and money on dress alterations; and Stephanie Kim, Fashion Design MFA, of South Korea, for The Yearbook Committee, a film and design production company in New York.

Launched in 2021, the Awards for Entrepreneurial Excellence are an extension of the comprehensive Bob Fisch graduate student program, which celebrates entrepreneurial excellence and intergenerational mentoring. The program includes thesis project completion grants, scholarships for FIT’s Fashion Design MFA and Global Fashion Management MPS programs, annual educational “fireside chats” led by Fisch, and extraordinary one-on-one and group mentoring sessions.

FIT’s Fashion Design MFA program, established in 2017, focuses on practice-based research. Unconventional in approach, the program welcomes students with non-fashion backgrounds as well as those with rich traditional undergraduate training in fashion design. The curriculum emphasizes research methodologies and pushes critical thinking that motivates innovation and invention in design, fit, cut, construction, silhouette, and materiality. The Global Fashion Management MPS program emphasizes leadership, applied creativity, problem-solving, and analytical thinking, along with effective writing and presentation skills. The curriculum includes courses in production management and supply chain, global marketing and fashion brand management, culture and international business, corporate finance, politics and world trade, business policy, global retail management, entrepreneurship, and leadership.

Posted: May 20, 2025

Source: The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT)

Reju Announces The Site Selection Of Regeneration Hub One, Its First Industrial Size Textile-To-Textile Recycling Center

PARIS — May 20, 2025 — Reju™, the progressive textile-to-textile regeneration company, today announced that it has selected the Chemelot Industrial Park for its first industrial scale regeneration center. Located in Sittard, Netherlands, Chemelot is a leading European industrial park and innovation hub. This follows the successful opening of Regeneration Hub Zero in Frankfurt in October 2024.

Reju Regeneration Hub One

Regeneration Hub One aims at accelerating Reju’s path to build a circular infrastructure for textile waste regeneration at scale. This strategic location will enable Reju to leverage existing infrastructure and industrial synergies to scale its operations efficiently.

The project will be subject to final investment decision by the board of Technip Energies, the parent company of Reju.

The Hub ambitions to regenerate the equivalent of 300 million articles annually that would otherwise end up as textile waste, resulting in a production capacity of 50,000 metric tons of rBHET per year and will then be repolymerized into Reju PET. This output, originating from textile waste, will be transformed into Reju Polyester with 50 percent lower carbon emissions than virgin polyester. The Reju Polyester will then be reintroduced into the downstream supply chain, where it will be converted into yarns and fabrics ready for consumer use.

Textile consumption in Europe has grown from 17 kilograms per person in 2019 to 19 kilograms per person in 2022 — enough to fill a large suitcase for every person living in Europe. And as a result, so is textile waste, in the EU Member States in 2022 about 94 million tonnes* of textiles were discarded and likely to be burnt or buried. Through collaboration with upstream partners, Reju will be ensuring textile-to-textile traceability.

Patrik Frisk

“This is a major milestone for Reju. With this announcement of a site for Regeneration Hub One, we are reinforcing our commitment to transforming the textile industry through innovation and collaboration,” said Patrik Frisk, CEO of Reju. “Chemelot is the ideal environment for scaling our technology and integrating into a broader network of industrial power houses which are also focused on circularity. This is where we want to prove that textile-to-textile circularity at scale is achievable.”

Owned by Technip Energies, a leading engineering and technology company, Reju utilizes proprietary technology originally developed by IBM Research. By recovering, regenerating, and recirculating textile waste, starting with polyester, Reju is creating a new, scalable circular system reducing the industry’s reliance on virgin materials.

“At Chemelot, we are committed to fostering sustainable innovation and enabling circular solutions across industries,” said Koos van Haasteren, CEO of Chemelot. “Reju’s Regeneration Hub One aligns with our mission to drive the transition toward a circular economy. By integrating their advanced textile recycling technology within our industrial ecosystem, we can help accelerate the reduction of textile waste and set new benchmarks for sustainability in the materials sector.”

Thanks to the efforts of the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA), the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management and the Ministry of Climate Policy and Green Growth, the recycling center is to be located on the Chemelot Industrial Park in the Netherlands. Minister Sophie Hermans (Climate Policy and Green Growth) said: ‘With Reju’s decision to locate its innovative recycling plant at Chemelot, the Netherlands is achieving a first: the country’s first large-scale recycling facility where discarded textiles are turned into raw material for new and even better textiles. This is the kind of new industry we are aiming for – sustainable, circular and future-orientated. It contributes to green growth and strengthens our position in circular chemistry. Despite the challenges in the sector, the Netherlands remains attractive for green industrial investments. With this new plant, we are actively building the industry of tomorrow, and I am proud that Reju has chosen the Netherlands.’

Through collaboration with upstream partners, Reju will be ensuring textile-to-textile traceability for waste that would otherwise be buried, burnt, or dumped.

Since its launch, Reju:

  • Opened the first Regeneration Hub in Frankfurt
  • Partnered with Goodwill and Waste Management in the US that will advance textile recycling in North America
  • Announced a partnership with Nouvelles Fibres Textiles to automatically sort clothing and disruptors (zippers, buttons etc)
  • Announced a partnership with Cibutex in Europe establishing an ecosystem among their member companies
  • Announced a partnership with Rematrix in Europe securing sustainable textile supply

For more information visit reju.com

*European Environment Agency briefing on Circularity of the EU textiles value chain in numbers

 

Posted: May 20, 2025

Source: Reju

Levi Strauss & Co. Enters Into Definitive Agreement To Sell Dockers® To Authentic Brands Group

SAN FRANCISCO — May 20, 2025 — Levi Strauss & Co. (LS&Co.) and Authentic Brands Group today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement for LS&Co. to sell Dockers® to Authentic for an initial transaction value of $311 million, subject to customary adjustments and closing conditions, with the potential to reach up to $391 million through an $80 million earnout opportunity in future years based on the performance of the Dockers business under Authentic’s ownership.

“The Dockers transaction further aligns our portfolio with our strategic priorities, focusing on our direct-to-consumer (DTC) first approach, growing our international presence and investing in opportunities across women’s and denim lifestyle,” said Michelle Gass, president and CEO of LS&Co. “After a robust process, we are confident that we maximized the value of the business and that Authentic is the right organization to usher in the next chapter of growth for the Dockers® brand. We thank the global Dockers team for their strong commitment and execution to building the brand, which continues to be the authority on khaki.”

With this agreement, LS&Co. is well positioned to reach its potential as a best-in-class omnichannel retailer as it continues to evolve the globally iconic Levi’s® brand from jeans to denim lifestyle while also scaling the Beyond Yoga® brand. LS&Co. remains focused on driving long-term, sustainable profitable growth across categories, channels and regions as it continues to deliver stakeholder value. LS&Co. intends to return approximately $100 million of the net cash proceeds from the transaction to shareholders through share repurchases, in line with its established capital allocation strategy.

“Dockers is a natural fit for the Authentic model,” said Jamie Salter, founder, chairman and CEO of Authentic. “It’s a brand with deep roots, high awareness and a solid foundation in licensing — all things we look for when acquiring new brands. Dockers® played a key role in shaping casual workwear as we know it today, and we see significant potential to build on that legacy and grow the brand across a variety of categories.”

The transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close on or around July 31, 2025, for the Dockers intellectual property and operations in the United States and Canada, and on or around January 31, 2026, for the remaining Dockers operations. In addition, LS&Co. will provide certain transition services to Authentic and its partners for Dockers® through a limited transition period.

BofA Securities Inc. is serving as financial advisor to LS&Co., and Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP is serving as its legal advisor.

Posted: May 20, 2025

Source: Levi Strauss & Co. (LS&Co.)

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