Synthetic yarns producer Unifi celebrated the ground breaking of its planned 85,000 square foot extension to the Company’s Repreve Recycling Center in Yadkinville, N.C. yesterday.

The expansion will increase capacity to produce Unifi’s recycled fibre brand, Repreve, and other premier value-added products (PVA) by up to 60 million pounds. The $10 million investment will add an estimated 18-20 new jobs in the Yadkin County area in the future.

"We are very encouraged by the continued growth of Repreve and the opportunities it brings for Unifi and our customers,” said Roger Berrier, president and chief operating officer of Unifi, Inc. “This investment affirms our commitment to sustainability, and allows us to provide increased resources for the needs of our customers.”

The additional investment in the Repreve Recycling Center will support the growth of Repreve as a result of new and expanding value-added programs with customers, and increased consumer demand for environmentally responsible products. The state-of-the-art recycling centre originally opened in 2011.

“Unifi’s expansion underscores its continued growth and commitment to textiles in North Carolina,” said Governor Pat McCrory. “We welcome these new jobs and the investment in Yadkin County, as well as the continued development of North Carolina-based innovation.”

The recycling centre addition is estimated to be finished in spring of 2016, and is being completed by North Carolina-based Omega Construction, Inc. As part of Unifi’s company-wide commitment to sustainability, the Repreve Recycling Center was built with environmental benefits in mind.

The addition will aim to incorporate many of the same sustainable features as the original building, such as skylights to take advantage of natural sunlight, energy-efficient light fixtures, low-flow fixtures for reduced water usage and building materials comprised of recycled content

Adding to the focus on sustainability, a newly installed solar farm could provide roughly 10% of the energy at the Repreve Recycling Center. The solar farm has a 1-megawatt capacity and sits on six acres of land at Unifi’s G. Allen Mebane Industrial Complex in Yadkinville.

"Unifi has been an integral part of Yadkin County for nearly 45 years,” said Bobby Todd, president of Economic Development Partnership and executive director of Yadkin County Chamber of Commerce. “We are pleased that Unifi continues to grow and bring economic growth and job opportunities to our area.”  

Unifi, Inc. is a multi-national manufacturing company that produces and sells textured and other processed yarns designed to meet customer specifications, and premier value-added yarns with enhanced performance characteristics.

In addition to its flagship Repreve products – a family of eco-friendly yarns made from recycled materials – key Unifi brands include:  Sorbtek, Reflexx, AIO – all-in-one performance yarns, Satura, Augusta, A.M.Y., MYNX UV and Microvista.  Unifi's yarns can be found in the products of major brands in the apparel, hosiery, automotive, home furnishings, industrial and other end-use markets. 

The Repreve brand of recycled fibres is made from recycled materials, including pre-consumer manufacturing waste and post-consumer plastic bottles.

Repreve can be found in many products, ranging from apparel to office furnishings, and even socks. It is also used in industrial, automotive and medical applications. Repreve has been adopted by some of the world’s leading brands and retailers, including Patagonia, The North Face, Haggar and Ford.

www.unifi.com

www.REPREVE.com