Sustainable Outdoors Begins With a ” Tapeless” Zipper

Less is More, Breaking the Mold

In the outdoor industry, sustainability, once a mere buzzword, is now the baseline. With this in mind, NOTAPE™ has introduced the game-changing “tapeless, seamless and water repellent zipper without film” technology. This innovation made its European debut in the first instance at European Outdoor Week (ORBDAYS & OUTDOOR TRADE SHOW) in Italy, from May 17–19 2026, presenting Mercedes the opportunity to challenge perceptions regarding the application of the zipper.

For the last 135+ years, the design of the zipper has remained static. Fabric tape, once considered an essential component of the zipper, also introduced additional dyeing, color matching, sewing, and waste. The removal of tape in NOTAPE™ has created a rethink of structural design, costing less and damaging the environment less.

Rewriting the Rules: Industry Trends

One of the major challenges of outdoor clothing has not been the swapping of fabrics. It has been the structural rethink of garments.

As a result of the fabric tape, production, energy, and chemical usage has all increased, making each additional layer more rigid and frictional. NOTAPE™ begins innovating at the source, whereby the high-performance zipper teeth are bonded directly to the fabric of the garment through precision injection molding to create the first seam.

In this design, there is tapeless. In addition, there are no additional seam lines. Lastly the closure is lightweight, and only a single seam.

The Environmental Upside: Quantified Impact

There are several sustainability advantages to this design:

•  There are structural decreases of 95% in the usage of water, energy, and chemicals.

•  The design has a carbon footprint reduction of between 19.4 and 26.6% and this is TÜV-certified and verifiable.

•  Due to fewer parts, less production passes, and less waste streams, there is less scrap and packaging.

Compared to traditional zipper designs, the Tapeless Zippers use minimum components and processes which lessen environmental impact. The Tapeless Zipper simplifies materials and the manufacturing process for brands, customers, and the supply chain.

Value Across the Supply Chain

Tape dyeing is the most polluting step in traditional zipper production. It consumes large amounts of water and releases dye-laden wastewater; tape setting consumes heat energy; some tapes require coatings with volatile organic compounds. NOTAPE™ removes the tape entirely — dyeing, setting, and coating are deleted. No more dyes, auxiliaries, or fixatives. The one-piece integrated forming process also eliminates stitching and its associated chemicals. This reduces factory compliance costs and prevents toxic substances from entering the environment.

NOTAPE™‘s Unique Position

A small design innovation can drive enormous environmental change. NOTAPE™’s tape-free, stitch-free zipper is not just a reinvention of a century-old product; it is a small component taking on the big responsibility of protecting our planet. When countless tape-free zippers enter apparel and daily life, together they become a powerful force for reducing environmental burden and safeguarding our ecological future.

Practical Benefits: Beyond Sustainability

The production line becomes less labor intensive and less error prone as all base components (top and bottom fastening teeth) are integrated with the fabric in one operation with the least amount of steps.

Less manual labor. No tape calendering. No pre-dyeing the tape. No rework. No order for tape.

For the Wearer:

•  Garments drape naturally without ridge or scratch.

•  Windbreakers stay sleek;

In Numbers:

•  32%+ power savings in molding step.

•  19.4%+ carbon footprint reduction compared with traditional taped zippers.

•  Material efficiency cuts trims, scraps, and unnecessary packaging.

Conclusion: An Overhaul for Outdoor Sustainability

NOTAPE™ is designed to be much more than a product. It’s a system upgrade. One solution brings to the table design freedom, sustainability and efficiency. At European Outdoor Week, it is not just about showcasing a zipper; it is about demonstrating how performance and responsibility can coexist.

When the closure disappears, the garment moves as intended—and the environmental impact shrinks too. By eliminating tape, NOTAPE™ gives outdoor brands a tangible, scalable path to sustainability.

Every zip tells a story: about thoughtful design, reduced waste, and the future of outdoor gear.

Partner with NOTAPE™. Transcend Tradition. Support a Sustainable Structure.