#Recycling / Circular Economy

2022-01-27

Unifi, makers of REPREVE®, introduces new product certification and innovations at outdoor retailer

Unifi, Inc. (NYSE: UFI), makers of REPREVE and one of the world’s leading innovators in recycled and synthetic yarns, is launching an enhanced supply chain certification and two new products at Outdoor Retailer’s Winter Market taking place Jan. 26-28, 2022, in Denver. These additional innovations—U TRUST® Product Certification, REPREVE SmartDye™ technology and Berry Compliant Knit Cord—enhance and support Unifi’s commitment to sustainability, transparency and customer service.

Focused efforts are advancing innovative and sustainable solutions for customers

The U TRUST Product Certification allows brands to obtain an additional level of transparency for their products made with REPREVE recycled fibers and builds on other Unifi certifications: U TRUST Fabric Certification, Scientific Certification Systems, Oeko-Tex certification and the Global Recycle Standard certification. As a complement to these existing safeguards, the U TRUST Product Certification allows brands to aggregate multiple REPREVE certified fabric components in a product and leverages a physical tracer (Unifi’s FiberPrint® technology) that can be audited, proven and found in the product throughout its life.

“Our newest certification gives brands additional peace of mind that goes beyond what a purely transaction-based certification can provide,” explained Jay Hertwig, Unifi’s senior vice president of commercialization. “This certification’s credibility can be validated by external parties. The U TRUST Product Certification validator tool also introduces new functionality for corporate brands and retailers into their brands’ certifications.”

Unifi is also launching REPREVE SmartDye lower-temperature dyeable recycled polyester. The product yields substantial energy savings and reduces cycle time when compared to standard polyester. Available in REPREVE Polyester Staple Fiber and REPREVE Filament Fiber, REPREVE SmartDye improves dye cycle efficiency and achieves up to 30%1 energy savings without compromising a fabric's performance.

In addition, the company is launching Berry Compliant Knit Cord, a high-quality synthetic cord that’s perfect for comfortable ear loops for standard, surgical, KN95 and N95 respirator masks. It’s soft, durable and strong, and the product is packaged on yarn bobbins – not loose in boxes. Customizability is key for this product, as it’s available in nylon and polyester, multiple colors and patterns, and in a variety of sizes.

“We are listening to our customers and helping to meet their evolving needs through these three new innovations,” said Unifi CEO Eddie Ingle. “What makes REPREVE different is that it’s transparent, traceable and certified, and we continue to expand on those attributes. We’re proud that our new products are sustainably made using our USA-based vertically integrated supply chain. This—along with our new certification—will enable our customers to continue to tell eco-friendly stories about their brands.”

“Production is a product”

From technical textiles and AI-driven robotics to the limitations of textile circularity: Professor Dr Thomas Gries looks back on more than two decades of development at ITA Aachen. In the interview, he explains why production technology remains a decisive success factor, discusses international collaborations and innovation ecosystems, and shares his views on the transformation of production landscapes and the challenges facing an increasingly regulated industry.

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt

“Innovation, resilience and international experience remain the great strengths of the Swiss textile machinery industry”

Geopolitical uncertainty, growing competitive pressure from China, new free trade agreements and the shift towards a circular economy are currently reshaping the global textile industry. In this interview, Cornelia Buchwalder discusses the current mood within the Swiss textile machinery sector, the industry’s distinctive innovative strength, new market opportunities in India and Asia, and the technological trends that could shape the upcoming trade fair cycle leading up to ITMA 2027.

Industrial scale meets verified governance: RE&UP is now B Corp™ certified

RE&UP, the circular-tech transforming global textile waste into high-volume Next-Gen materials, has officially become a Certified B Corporation™. The milestone establishes the industrial recycler among a select group of manufacturing infrastructure providers verified as meeting B Lab Standards for social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.

Recover™ and Ünteks Group partner to scale recycled cotton in knitwear

Recover(TM), a global producer of low‐impact, high‐quality recycled cotton fiber, announces a new partnership with Ünteks Group, a vertically integrated textile manufacturer based in Turkey. The collaboration focuses on the development of circular knit fabrics and garments, combining Recover’s recycled cotton fiber with Ünteks Group’s integrated capabilities across knitting, dyeing, printing, and garment production.

ALADIN paves the way for circular and demand-driven textile production in Europe

Textile production can be organized sustainably by utilizing short supply chains and preventing overproduction. This can already be achieved today by intelligently connecting and efficiently utilizing existing infrastructure. At the same time, production becomes circular when innovative technologies and materials are used that enable high-quality recycling. The ALADIN research project, launched in May 2026 and co-funded with five million euros under the EU Horizon Europe program, is creating the conditions for this.

Ence and ShareTex begin initial testing of the ATENEA innovation project to promote textile recycling in Spain

Ence and ShareTex are making progress on the Atenea R&D project, which aims to develop a complete value chain for textile recycling in Spain. Specifically, the goal of the ATENEA project—which is funded by the Center for Technological Development and Innovation (CDTI)—is to connect all the necessary stages for the recovery of textile waste, from collection and management, through recycling and transformation into new raw materials, to their incorporation into new textile products.

Rieter sees Barmag integration on track as orders and sales rise

The first half of 2026 was shaped by the successful completion of the largest acquisition in Rieter’s history. The Man-Made Fiber Division enables entry into the growth segment of man-made fibers and sustainably strengthens Rieter’s market position in the Asia region. The expanded Group is now the world’s leading system supplier for the processing of natural and man-made fibers. In the first half of the year, initial cost savings in material costs and operating expenses have already been realized. The targeted synergies are expected to amount to at least CHF 20 million by the end of the 2028 financial year. Due to the completion of the acquisition on February 2, 2026, the first half of the year for the Man-Made Fiber Division only amounts to five months.