Unifi Inc., located in Greensboro, North Carolina, specializes in producing recycled and synthetic yarns, including its Repreve product. The company has introduced Repreve with Ciclo technology, which incorporates recycled polyester and nylon infused with a biodegradable technology that allows synthetics to decompose naturally.

Source: RecyclingToday

Unifi developed Repreve with Ciclo technology in partnership with Intrinsic Advanced Materials LLC, a joint venture formed by Parkdale Advanced Materials Inc. and Intrinsic Textiles Group LLC, based in Hayward, California.

We can always do more to lessen our environmental impact throughout the product life cycle. Our collaboration with Intrinsic Advanced Materials addresses the worldwide issue of synthetic microfiber shedding by providing a globally available solution that mills, brands and retailers can now integrate to reduce microplastic fiber pollution.

^{Unifi CEO Eddie Ingle}

This innovative technology features a patented additive at the fiber level, enabling synthetic yarns to more closely resemble natural materials like wool. Unifi highlights that this advancement allows the yarns to break down in environments like soil and seawater while maintaining performance, durability, and dyeability. The company's new offerings aim to address the environmental challenges posed by microplastic fiber pollution from the shedding of synthetic textiles.

According to Unifi, Repreve with Ciclo allows synthetic fibers to naturally biodegrade when exposed to moisture and microorganisms over time, significantly shortening the duration that synthetic fibers persist in the environment. The company reports that products containing Ciclo are being utilized by “forward-thinking, sustainable brands” such as Bass Pro Shops, Billabong, Champion, Oakley, and Target.

Unifi states that all Repreve-branded products can incorporate the Ciclo additive, including Repreve Takeback and Repreve Our Ocean, and are available worldwide.

The company will showcase Repreve with Ciclo at Booth 815, while Ciclo technology can be found at Booth 712 during the Functional Fabric Fair, scheduled from April 14-16 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland.