Unifi, headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina, has now transformed more than 30 billion post-consumer plastic bottles into its Repreve recycled performance fibres that are used by hundreds of the world’s leading brands.
When Unifi launched Repreve, it was initially adopted by only two brands. Now, more than 1,000 brands worldwide use the recycled performance fibres and Repreve sales are approaching 40% of Unifi’s total sales, with that number expected to continue to grow in the coming year.
“Our brand and mill partners helped us achieve this milestone,” said CEO Eddie Ingle. “By making the switch to sustainable by choosing to use Repreve, we’ve been able to keep more than 30 billion plastic bottles out of landfills. We want to thank consumers for choosing to buy products – ranging from apparel to home furnishings to shoes – made with Repreve.”
“We anticipate companies will continue to make the switch to Repreve, enabling us to increase recycling rates and giving plastic bottles a second life,” added sustainability manager James Cooper. “As we look to the future, we will expand to additional brands and applications, in addition to developing circular programmes that allow existing textiles to be transformed into new textiles.”
Fifty years ago, Unifi started making fibres with a new material called polyester. They’ve changed and grown over the years—and so has polyester! But Unifi’s drive to be tech-savvy innovators—and to serve customers with the most imaginative solutions that can be offered—has never faltered. Better than anyone, Unifi knows from experience: True innovation starts in the fibre.
