#Recycling / Circular Economy

2021-09-23

Unifi, teams up with the University of Notre Dame

Unifi, Inc. (NYSE: UFI), one of the world’s leading innovators in recycled and synthetic yarns, is continuing its commitment to sustainability across college campuses. The company recently brought its REPREVE® mobile tour to The University of Notre Dame™ during the school’s home opener football game against Purdue University on September 18.

This was the first time the mobile tour has visited Notre Dame, signifying the beginning of a new partnership. In addition, L2 Brands, makers of League apparel and Legacy headwear, was able to showcase fan gear made with REPREVE recycled performance fibers inside the mobile tour.

“Unifi is committed to working today for the good of tomorrow, and that includes educating younger generations about the importance of recycling,” said Jay Hertwig, Senior Vice President of Commercialization at Unifi. “Our partnership with Notre Dame demonstrates the importance and impact of recycling and how the transformation of recycled bottles into new products results in greener, more sustainable college campuses and helps to protect our natural resources.”

Inside the REPREVE mobile tour, L2 Brands also gave product demonstrations to college students, alumni and friends of Notre Dame, who were able to see firsthand how the bottles they recycle are given a second life and transformed into their favorite Fighting Irish™ hats, shirts and jerseys.

“Fans were able to interact with Notre Dame apparel that not only looks and feels great, but that also allows consumers to feel good about the products they purchase,” said Pete Waldon, President of L2 Brands. “When fans see that their favorite gear is made using recycled plastic bottles, it shows the endless possibilities of sustainability.”

Notre Dame’s commitment to sustainability runs deep. The university has pledged to be a leader in sustainable operations, education and research, and a role model for responsible citizenship.

“Our mission at Notre Dame is to be a powerful force for good in the world,” said Tomi Gerhold, Director of Licensing at Notre Dame. “Our partnerships with Unifi and L2 Brands help us work toward the goal of fostering a focus on the connection between environmental stewardship and the common good.”

The REPREVE mobile tour’s next stop will be at the University of Maryland on Friday, October 1, where L2 Brands will also showcase its sustainably made REPREVE apparel.

Texprocess 2026: Automation, digitalisation and AI redefine textile processing

Making investment decisions in textile processing has become significantly more demanding. Increasing energy costs, a shortage of skilled labour and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties are compelling companies to focus on technologies that deliver clear gains in efficiency and process reliability. This applies equally to apparel manufacturing and to the processing of technical textiles and high-performance materials. As a result, modernisation initiatives are assessed more carefully – even as the need to upgrade production systems continues to intensify.

Techtextil 2026: Between innovation pressure & market reality

From 21 to 24 April 2026, Techtextil in Frankfurt am Main will once again become the central meeting point for the international technical textiles and nonwovens industry. Running in parallel, Texprocess will focus on the industrial implementation of textile processing technologies as the leading platform in this field. Together, the two trade fairs form a closely integrated presentation and working platform along the entire textile value chain – from material development to finished applications.

Between geopolitical pressure and industrial resilience

In this interview, Dr. Janpeter Horn (VDMA) discusses the current challenges facing textile machinery manufacturers, shaped by geopolitical tensions, regulatory developments and subdued investment. He also outlines why innovation strength, integrated solutions and strategic positioning remain key to global competitiveness.

Circulose and CTA announce collaboration to enable lyocell fibers using CIRCULOSE® pulp

Circulose has announced an agreement with China Textile Academy Green Fibre (CTA) to offer lyocell fibers produced using CIRCULOSE® pulp. Producing lyocell from recycled pulp at commercial scale is an important step in making textile-to-textile recycled materials available across a wider range of textile applications.

Solving the Feedstock Gap: Unlocking Post-consumer Feedstocks for Textile-to-Textile Recycling in Europe

Fashion for Good launches Project FAE (Feedstock Activation Europe) to develop the sorting and pre-processing infrastructure needed to channel non-rewearable post-consumer textiles into textile-to-textile (T2T) recycling at scale. The project is a practical response to one of the most pressing problems in textile circularity: making post-consumer waste a viable, commercially competitive raw material for recyclers.

BASF at Techtextil 2026: Helping to shape the future of the textile industry with tangible solutions

At the leading international trade fair for technical textiles and nonwovens from April 21 to 24, 2026 at the Messe Frankfurt, BASF will present numerous solutions and new projects in the textile sector to customers and partners at booth B 68 in hall 11.0. The focus is on product innovations and future-oriented technologies.

RE&UP partners with Madewell and ISKO on textile-to-textile denim capsule

RE&UP Recycling Technologies is accelerating the shift toward a closed-loop textile economy through a collaboration with American denim brand Madewell and global fabric manufacturer ISKO. By transforming approximately 20,000 pairs of post-consumer jeans into recycled feedstock for a textile-to-textile denim capsule, RE&UP demonstrates the commercial viability of circular systems in the denim sector.

Aditya Birla Group showcases integrated technical textile capabilities at Techtextil 2026

As global industries rethink supply chains and accelerate the adoption of advanced materials, the Aditya Birla Group, a US$67‑billion global conglomerate, headquartered in Mumbai, India, showcased the full strength of its technical textiles portfolio at Techtextil 2026 in Frankfurt today. The Group’s presence underscored India’s transformation into a hub for high-value, performance-driven textile solutions within the global ecosystem.

Techtextil & Texprocess 2026: Global benchmark for textile innovation – Performance Apparel Textiles takes centre stage at the opening

With 1,700 exhibitors from 54 countries, Techtextil and Texprocess 2026 showcase the full range of innovation within the international textile industry – from new materials and recycling technologies to finishing solutions and high-performance textile manufacturing and processing technologies. The opening press conference centred on a key theme where innovation is especially strong: Performance Apparel Textiles.