Introduction Repreve is a recycled polyester brand name by Unifi, an American fiber manufacturer. Unifi manufactures Repreve out of recycled plastic chips made from polyester waste such as plastic bottles. Finished fabrics can either be 100% Repreve or a hybrid with virgin polyester or other fibers (such as Spandex). It is used to create fabrics for athletic and fashion clothing as well as upholstery. Launched in 2017, Repreve is now the world’s leading, branded recycled fiber. Many of the most recognizable, global brands in the world use Reprieve. How is Repreve fiber made? In America alone, 35 billion plastic bottles get thrown away per year. At Unifi’s advanced recycling facility, plastic bottles are sorted, washed, and chopped into flake material. The clean flake is blended, melted, and turned into a Repreve recycled chip and loaded in silos. One silo can hold the equivalent of 27 million plastic bottles. The chip goes through its extrusion and texturing process and is transformed into fibers with inherent performance properties. For dyeing, an innovative process called Waterwise may then be used. Color is blended into the fibers, offering long-lasting, vibrant fabric colors with a waterless dyeing process that conserves natural resources. The solution dye becomes part of the fiber as it's being extruded, resulting in rich, brilliant, long-lasting color. Advantages of Repreve Fiber Eco-Conscious Producing Repreve offsets the need to produce new petroleum, emitting fewer greenhouse gases and conserving water and energy in the process. To date, Unifi has recycled 25 billion bottles. It diverts plastic waste from landfills to create durable, sustainable fibers that can be used in textile fabrics. Producing one pound of Repreve can:
Save enough energy to run a compact fluorescent light bulb for nearly 22 days
Save enough water to provide more than the daily requirements of drinking water for one person
Save the amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emitted while driving a hybrid car almost 3 miles
Certified and Traceable Repreve is the only eco-performance fiber with U TRUST® verification to certify recycled content claims. From any point in the supply chain, using their unique FiberPrint® tracer technology, the fabric can be tested to verify Repreve is in there, and in the right amounts. Repreve fibers are certified for recycled content claims by Scientific Certification Systems (SCS). It has also received the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification, a well-known international eco-label. Oeko-Tex offers “Confidence in Textiles,” ensuring that Repreve's fibers are tested to be free of harmful levels of more than 100 restricted chemicals. Properties and Innovations Repreve polyester is just as durable as virgin polyester. Repreve fibers made with Sorbtek® wick moisture up to three times faster than other fibers - so moisture moves away and evaporates quicker, keeping the wearer cool and dry. It is soft (with a cotton-like feel) and smooth with 4 way stretch (depending on what it is blended with). It is water-resistant, fights against odors, and lightweight. Its A.M.Y.® technology (built into the yarn structure) works by inhibiting the growth of odor-causing bacteria, mold, mildew, and algae on fabrics. It has multiple applications - in fashion, activewear, upholstery, outdoor gear, and car interiors. Disadvantages of Repreve Fiber The only concern with Repreve is the fact that it requires plastic to be produced, thus continuing the industrial petrochemical cycle. It would be good to see single-use plastics disappearing altogether from our shelves. However, it is a major step in the right direction in terms of sustainability. It tackles a current problem. Where is Repreve Fabric made and sourced from? The Repreve plant is based in Yadkinville, North Carolina in the U.S. It is a zero-landfill facility - nothing from that plant goes into a landfill. Our source of Repreve comes from our Japanese supplier Takisada Nagoya. Our Repreve blends are with wool, polyester, and Lenzing Ecovero to create stunning fabrics with beneficial properties. Examples from our Showroom Repreve®/Wool Vintage 308g/s’m Twill (2x1L)