PET to be Recycled into Fabric at New Facility in North Carolina

Polyester and nylon textured yarns manufacturer, Unifi has opened its $8 million REPREVE recycling centre that will allow the company to expand production capacities recycled fibre.

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

According to Unifi, over the past two years it has recycled more than 247 million post-consumer PET bottles, and over 400 million bottles will be recycled in 2012 at the new recycling centre.

The 50,000 square foot (4650 square metre), state-of-the-art recycling centre located in Yadkinville, North Carolina, will enable Unifi to recycle post-industrial and post-consumer polyester waste, and in the future, fabrics and garments. The goal of the facility is to expand production capacities and capabilities, improve fibre colour and drive volume growth for improved economics.

The recycling centre has been constructed to reclaim waste materials, and the company says that the building itself is 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-utilises heat in the production of REPREVE chip.