NEW YORK — Unifi Inc.’s new environmentally friendly polyester yarn is gaining traction in the activewear market.
The Greensboro, N.C.-based polyester and nylon yarn producer said last week that two major performance fabric manufacturers would be incorporating its Repreve yarns, a polyester yarn made from 100 percent recycled material, into their product assortments.
The company has partnered with Malden Mills to produce a new line of eco-friendly Polartec fabrics using Repreve yarn.
“Unifi has achieved a level of consistency and performance in its Repreve family of yarns that allows our textile engineers to do what they do best, which is push the envelope of fabric design,” said Michael Spillane, chief executive officer of Malden Mills, in a statement.
Polartec fabrics with Repreve will be available in more than 20 new styles. Malden also has found that Repreve enhances the characteristics of its recycled Polartec fabrics. Malden’s new Polartec Power Dry, Polartec Thermal Pro and Polartec Wind Pro are now available using recycled materials.
Unifi also has joined fabric manufacturer Consoltex to launch a line of environmentally friendly activewear. The collection will be sold under Consoltex’s Earthwhile brand, which uses organic cotton blended with nylon to produce fabrics targeted for the active and athleticwear markets.
“Both companies are committed to bringing innovative products to the market, while addressing the need to conserve the earth’s resources,” said Roger Berrier, vice president of Unifi’s commercial operations, in a statement.
The company spent three years developing Repreve, added Berrier. The new line using Unifi’s Repreve yarn will be available in four of Consoltex’s fabrics used for pants, shorts, vests and soft-shell garments.