Polyester yarn producer Unifi celebrated the official opening of its REPREVE Recycling Center yesterday; an $8 million investment which will allow the company to expand production capacity of its REPREVE recycled fibre.

REPREVE is a family of recycled polyester and nylon fibres that can be used in a wide range of applications, including apparel, automotive, seating and panelling fabrics. Since its introduction in 2006, REPREVE has grown from a single recycled polyester fibre into an entire brand of sustainable products.

Unifi confirms that in the last two years alone, over 247 million post-consumer PET bottles have been recycled into REPREVE fibre and estimates that it will recycle over 400 million bottles into REPREVE in 2012 at the new facility.

Unifi says the 50,000 square feet, state-of-the-art REPREVE Recycling Center will enable it to recycle post-industrial and post-consumer polyester waste, and in the future, fabrics and garments too. The aim of the facility is to expand production capacities and capabilities, improve fibre colour and drive volume growth for improved economics.

“The opening of the REPREVE Recycling Center solidifies Unifi’s commitment to be the world’s leader in the production of sustainable fibres,” said Roger Berrier, president and COO of Unifi.

“The REPREVE Recycling Center was built using the latest state-of-the-art recycling technology providing us with flexibility to further expand the REPREVE brand in new and innovative directions.”

The event took place at the G. Allen Mebane Industrial Complex in Yadkinville, and featured a ribbon cutting ceremony, tours and a program of speakers including Bill Jasper, chairman and CEO; Roger Berrier; John Mowbray, editor and publisher of EcoTextile News; Gail Strickler, Assistant United States Trade Representative for Textiles; and Kim Glas, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Textiles and Apparel and Chairman, CITA.

The Recycling Center has been constructed to convert waste materials into REPREVE and the building itself was built with environmental benefits in mind. Sustainable features include:

• 67 skylights to take advantage of natural sunlight
• Light fixtures controlled by sensor technology to reduce energy use
• Low flow fixtures and motion sensors anticipated to reduce water use by 34%
• Many building materials were bought regionally and comprised of recycled content
• Energy Recovery Kit that captures and re-utilizes heat in the production of REPREVE chip

“The new REPREVE Recycling Center will grow employment in Yadkin County, adding at least 25 new jobs when fully implemented,” added Berrier.