UNIFI Launches New Recycled Polyester Products
UNIFI, Inc., a leading innovator in recycled and synthetic yarns, today unveiled two groundbreaking additions to its REPREVE portfolio, now recognized as the largest collection of regenerated performance polyester globally. Leveraging its proprietary Textile Takeback process, UNIFI introduced a white-dyeable filament yarn and a cutting-edge insulation material, ThermaLoop—both representing significant advancements in scalable textile-to-textile recycling.
Revolutionizing Polyester Recycling
“Polyester is the most widely utilized fibre on the planet, and it’s time for transformative change,” stated Eddie Ingle, Chief Executive Officer of UNIFI, Inc. “Textile brands can now create solutions with the entire product life cycle in mind, working towards their 2030 environmentally preferred materials targets. Our mission is to provide best-in-class sustainable products that eliminate the need for virgin materials and significantly reduce carbon emissions.”
Both new products are crafted from 100% recycled polyester feedstock, incorporating at least 50% textile waste, and meet virgin-quality standards. The Textile Takeback process enables the recycling of both global post-industrial and post-consumer textile waste into next-generation materials using proprietary technologies. To enhance sustainability across the supply chain, UNIFI plans to collaborate with global brands to reclaim their waste, ensuring materials remain in circulation longer.
Circular REPREVE Filament Yarn
The new circular REPREVE filament yarn is a white, dyeable, high-performance polyester suitable for critical applications across industries. This addition expands the circular REPREVE polyester line, which also includes black filament yarn and black and white staple fibre, all integrated with FiberPrint tracer technology, allowing for U-Trust certification. The yarn can be enhanced with UNIFI’s performance technologies, including anti-odour, moisture-wicking and stretch properties, making it a versatile choice for a wide range of applications.
ThermaLoop Insulation
ThermaLoop insulation is available in down-like fibre, fibreball and padding formats, offering superior performance, recovery and thermal efficiency. The padding is engineered with REPREVE low melt fibre, a pioneering innovation enabling the production of 100% recycled synthetic padding. This product line, particularly with its black insulation option, embodies UNIFI’s ‘waste nothing’ philosophy, utilizing a wide variety of textile waste as feedstock.
Global Availability and Commercial Scalability
Both products are now available globally and can be seamlessly integrated into existing supply chains without disruption. This commercial scalability addresses a critical challenge for polyester-reliant industries, particularly fashion brands striving to create circular apparel to meet sustainability goals. These innovations support UNIFI’s ambitious objective to recycle the equivalent of 1.5 billion T-shirts’ worth of textile waste by fiscal year 2030.
