#Yarn & Fiber

2022-09-01

UNIFI, makers of REPREVE®, elects Frank Blake to the Board of Directors

Unifi, Inc. (NYSE: UFI), makers of REPREVE and one of the world's leading innovators in recycled and synthetic yarns, today announced the election of Frank Blake to the Company’s Board of Directors, effective September 5, 2022.

Contributes decades of strategic, commercial and executive experience to the Board

Al Carey, Executive Chairman of UNIFI, stated, “We are excited to welcome Frank to UNIFI’s Board of Directors. He brings decades of leadership experience driving commercial excellence with industry-leading companies. We are confident that his contributions and expertise will amplify UNIFI’s growth trajectory.”

UNIFI Elects Frank Blake to the Board of Directors. (Photo: Business Wire)

Mr. Blake added, “I am grateful to join the Board of Directors of UNIFI and excited to become more involved with a company at the forefront of sustainable practices. With sustainability leading so many commercial decisions in today’s world, I believe UNIFI is well-positioned to continue to be a market leader in the space for years to come. I look forward to working with everyone at UNIFI and further building upon their long history of successes and market leadership.”

Mr. Blake currently serves as the non-executive Chairman of Delta Air Lines, Inc.’s board of directors. He served as the Chairman and CEO of The Home Depot from 2007 until November 2014 and thereafter as Chairman of the board of directors until his retirement in February 2015. He previously served as Vice Chairman of the board of directors of The Home Depot and as Executive Vice President.

Mr. Blake joined The Home Depot in 2002 as Executive Vice President — Business Development and Corporate Operations. He was previously the Deputy Secretary for the U.S. Department of Energy and served in a variety of executive positions at General Electric Company, including as Senior Vice President, Corporate Business Development in charge of all worldwide mergers, acquisitions and dispositions. Additionally, Mr. Blake is a member of the board of directors of Macy’s, Inc. and was previously a member of the board of directors of The Procter & Gamble Company.

Mr. Blake holds a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and received his juris doctor degree from Columbia Law School.

textile.4U publishes special edition “Top 100 Textile Recycling Companies 2025”

With a comprehensive 176-page special edition, textile.4U is dedicating its latest issue entirely to one of the most dynamic and influential topics in today’s textile industry: textile recycling. The new issue, published exclusively in high-quality print, presents the Top 100 textile recycling companies researched and selected by TexData – organizations that already play a key role in the transition to circular textiles or are expected to have a significant impact in the near future.

Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024 signed by Governor

Senator Josh Newman (D-Fullerton) is proud to announce that Senate Bill 707 (SB 707), the Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024, has been signed into law by the Governor of California, Gavin Newsom. This groundbreaking legislation establishes the country’s first Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) textile recycling program, marking a significant step forward in the state’s efforts to combat waste and promote sustainability.

Modtissimo promotes sustainability with 28 coordinates in the Green Circle

Modtissimo is proving more and more to be a textile and clothing show that delivers the latest innovations in the area of sustainability, with the iTechStyle Green Circle being the main showcase for companies' creations. In this 60+4 edition, taking place on 12 and 13 September, 28 coordinates will be exhibited in a section organised by CITEVE and curated by Paulo Gomes.

The EU and Egypt team up to mobilise private sector investments at Investment Conference and sign a Memorandum of Understanding underpinning €1 billion in macro-financial assistance for Egypt

At the EU-Egypt Investment Conference, co-organised by the EU and the Government of Egypt on 29-30 June, the EU and Egypt are teaming up to intensify private sector investments in Egypt. They are also signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the disbursement to Egypt of up to €1 billion in Macro-Financial Assistance.

From premiums to parity: How Fashion for Good is rewriting the economics of new materials

Fashion for Good launches Price Parity Toolkit: developed with support from Laudes Foundation, Canopy and Finance Earth, the framework introduces an innovative financing approach (premium decoupling) to remove price premiums from the supply chain and unlock faster adoption of lower-impact materials across the industry.

Better, faster, bio-based: Functional new Plastic alternatives

How can new bio-based and biohybrid materials with improved features be developed faster? Six Fraunhofer institutes are jointly exploring this question in the SUBI²MA flagship project, using an innovative bio-based polyamide developed by Fraunhofer researchers as a model. Its specific properties make it a promising alternative to fossil-based plastics.

Innovation and customer proximity – KARL MAYER’s clear focus makes an impression

ITMA ASIA in Singapore was a resounding success for KARL MAYER, exceeding all expectations. The company welcomed visitors from 39 countries and held around 570 expert discussions. Most guests came from India, followed by China, Indonesia and Pakistan. The exchange with them was both well-founded and targeted. Conversation topics ranged from investment projects and new technologies to opportunities for cooperation and business expansion.

Catching heart disease early with AI-based sensor system

It slips on like a normal vest: Fraunhofer IZM has created a smart sensor system in cooperation with the Charité and the Technical University of Berlin. The vest records a vast array of cardiovascular parameters, which an AI-based system uses to support medical diagnostics and spot potentially dangerous developments.