UNIFI®, Makers of REPREVE®, Announces Updated Life Cycle Data Confirming Certain Environmental Benefits of REPREVE® Polyester

July 26, 2023 at 09:00 AM EDT

Peer-reviewed data finds REPREVE polyester reduces greenhouse gas emissions, fossil fuel usage, water consumption, and more compared to virgin polyester

Unifi, Inc. (NYSE: UFI) (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “UNIFI”), makers of REPREVE and one of the world’s leading innovators in recycled and synthetic yarns, today announced the findings of an independent peer-reviewed Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) verifying that REPREVE recycled polyester lowers climate change potential compared to virgin polyester.

REPREVE is the world’s leading recycled polyester fiber brand made from post-consumer plastic bottles and pre-consumer waste materials. The innovative brand was developed by UNIFI to address the growing concern about plastic waste in the environment. REPREVE fibers and yarns are knit and woven into a variety of fabrics for use in apparel, automotive interiors, home furnishings, and other products for some of the world’s most recognized brands.

The updated, independent LCA was conducted to quantify the environmental impacts of REPREVE polyester across a variety of categories and multiple global production sites compared to virgin polyester produced in those same geographies.

The findings of the LCA confirm that REPREVE polyester reduces:

greenhouse gas emissions by up to 42% relative to virgin filament yarn and by 60% when compared to virgin staple fiber;
fossil fuels depletion by up to 66% relative to virgin filament yarn and by 76% when compared to virgin staple fiber; and
water scarcity by up to 76% and freshwater consumption by up to 67% compared to virgin filament yarn.

“REPREVE polyester provides an alternative to virgin fibers and yarns that reduces climate change potential and offers an immediate impact on the sustainability goals and environmental considerations of our esteemed partner brands that integrate REPREVE into their products,” said Eddie Ingle, Chief Executive Officer of Unifi, Inc. “We strive to be great stewards for our planet and our future, and we are thrilled to be able to help others do the same.”

“We believe in transparency and traceability, so it’s important for us to share our peer-reviewed LCA data to show the significant reductions that REPREVE polyester offers to critical environmental factors that otherwise accelerate climate change or deplete other limited resources,” said Meredith Boyd, Senior Vice President of Sustainability, Technology & Innovation.

About UNIFI, Inc.

UNIFI, Inc. (NYSE: UFI) is a global textile solutions provider and one of the world's leading innovators in manufacturing synthetic and recycled performance fibers. Through REPREVE®, one of UNIFI's proprietary technologies and the global leader in branded recycled performance fibers, UNIFI has transformed more than 35 billion plastic bottles into recycled fiber for new apparel, footwear, home goods, and other consumer products. UNIFI continually innovates technologies to meet consumer needs in moisture management, thermal regulation, antimicrobial protection, UV protection, stretch, water resistance, and enhanced softness. UNIFI collaborates with many of the world's most influential brands in the sports apparel, fashion, home, automotive, and other industries. For more information about UNIFI, visit www.unifi.com.

About REPREVE®

Made by Unifi, Inc. (NYSE: UFI), REPREVE® is the global leader in recycled performance fibers. Leveraging its proprietary regeneration technology, REPREVE® has transformed more than 35 billion plastic bottles into recycled fiber that is trusted by leading brands to power sustainable consumer goods worldwide. REPREVE® offers advanced fiber technology that delivers enhanced comfort, greater performance, superior durability, thermal regulation, and more. As the only eco-performance fiber with U TRUST® product verification to certify transparency and traceability, REPREVE® empowers brands and consumers to champion sustainability. As a catalyst for change, REPREVE® is committed to leading the global shift towards a more sustainable future by innovating today. For more information about REPREVE®, visit www.repreve.com.

REPREVE® is a trademark of Unifi, Inc.