Unifi Introduces New Sustainable Offerings at 2019 Outdoor Retailer Snow Show
Unifi, Inc. — global textile
solutions provider and one of the world’s leading innovators in manufacturing
sustainable synthetic and recycled performance fibers — will launch three new
product offerings next week at Outdoor Retailer Snow Show
2019 (Jan 30-Feb 1). Focused on consumer
demands for recycled products, Unifi is introducing TruFlexx™ sustainable,
engineered stretch fiber made with
REPREVE®;
along with TruClean™ chemical-free anti-static fiber, and REPREVE nylon
staple fiber.
“Our customers continue to ask for fibers and technologies that will not only
help them meet their sustainability goals, but also provide superior
performance,” said Jay Hertwig, group VP of global branded sales for Unifi.
“At Unifi, we continue to develop solutions that help our customers make a
difference.”
TruFlexx engineered stretch fiber is a
breakthrough, 100 percent polyester, sustainable stretch fiber that eliminates
the need for spandex. When spandex is knit into a fabric, it greatly limits
recyclability of the fabric after its useful life. TruFlexx engineered stretch
can replace spandex in the 5-10 percent content range for comfort-stretch knits,
creating the possibility of a 100 percent closed-loop, recyclable polyester
fabric. It is engineered for stretch and recovery, providing shape retention
with less compression, while also improving moisture management.
Static is a significant issue for apparel and home textiles; Unifi’s next new
fiber, TruClean anti-static fiber, is a chemical-free option that
permanently inhibits static cling, repelling pet hair, lint and other small
particles to keep fabrics looking newer. Applications for TruClean anti-static —
another sustainable option available with REPREVE recycled fiber — include
apparel, pet bedding, upholstery, curtains and automotive.
Transforming fashion through materials innovation
Join us as leaders from Crocs, Hilos, Marchon Eyewear, Planet FWD and Target discuss real-world examples, practical strategies, and supply chain considerations for developing eco-friendly clothing, shoes, and accessories that minimize waste and protect the planet — Tuesday, Oct. 15, at SB'24 San Diego.
Unifi is also launching REPREVE nylon staple fiber — a new, more eco-friendly
option for spun yarns. REPREVE recycled nylon staple fiber can be used to
improve the hand feel and strength of fabrics, and add a natural heather effect
or a cooling effect. Nylon is lightweight, durable, moisture-wicking and resists
pilling and abrasion; desirable characteristics that can easily be blended into
a more sustainable yarn using REPREVE Nylon staple fiber.
“We believe that true innovation starts in the fiber, and our goal is to provide
even more options to inspire our customers to innovate at the fiber level to
achieve sustainable, high-performing products,” said Richard Gerstein,
Unifi’s EVP of global branded premium value-added products, and chief marketing
and innovation officer. “True innovation happens when we collaborate with our
brand and textile partners to create unique performance technologies that are
embedded in the fiber, and we are excited to share these exciting new products
at Outdoor Retailer Snow Show.”
For more information, please visit Unifi at booth #54067-UL.
Saint Haven offers sustainably soft, breathable fabric for sensitive skin
Meanwhile, Saint Haven, a startup offering a luxurious line of
sustainable essentials, recently launched. On a mission to ease the discomfort of
her children's sensitive skin issues, Jacqueline Sacks — wife of former
PayPal COO David Sacks — spent several years developing a brand-new,
proprietary method for softening fabric, leading her to
develop Saint Haven SoftTM, an incredibly soft and breathable non-toxic
fabric — the brand offers blissfully soft clothing for women, babies, toddlers
and children.
Jacqueline Sacks, a mother of three, was desperate for a solution that would
ease her daughter's discomfort from eczema. She needed a soft, stretchy,
breathable fabric that wouldn't irritate the skin further or soak up the salves
she was using for treatment. Sacks tried unsuccessful DIY fixes before taking
matters into her own hands — developing a proprietary fabric that is a result of
years of research.
From consulting with everyone from fabric manufacturers to high-end lingerie and
bed linen boutiques, Jacqueline spent years researching, experimenting and
mixing her own fibers. After 19 prototypes, she arrived on what the brand hails
as the softest, most breathable, non-toxic fabric. Working with ethical
manufacturers throughout Portugal, Saint Haven developed a propriety method
of softening fabric. The fabric is produced using modal, derived from
sustainably grown beech trees, and both more breathable and less absorbent than
cotton. The material is spun into an ultra-fine textile and then dipped in a
non-toxic enzyme to achieve Saint Haven SoftTM.
The collection is comprised of 13 initial styles of shirts, pants, dresses, and
a robe that are simple, sustainable and functional.
Stora Enso partners with H&M, IKEA to industrialize TreeToTextile
Speaking of sustainable forest fibers, TreeToTextile AB is a joint venture
between H&M group, Inter IKEA group and inventor and entrepreneur Lars
Stigsson, launched in 2014 with the aim of developing new textile fibers in a
sustainable way at attractive cost levels. Last month, TreeToTextile announced
the next step in bringing its sustainable textile to market, with the addition
of Stora
Enso
to the partnership — to help support the industrialization of TreeToTextile’s
production process, the Finnish materials innovator will set up a demonstration
plant at one of its Nordic facilities.
“We are excited to welcome our new partner, Stora Enso, and to share more of the
innovative work that we are doing at TreeToTextile. With the help of our new
partner, we will be entering an industrialization phase. The new fiber that we
have developed is both sustainable and produced at a lower cost,” says Annica
Karlsson, chairman of the board of TreeToTextile AB.
TreeToTextile’s process takes renewable forest raw material and regenerates the
cellulose into a textile fiber. This production process uses less energy and
chemicals, allowing for a much more sustainable and cost-efficient process
compared to conventional technologies and fibers.
“It’s fantastic to see how the idea of utilizing forest resources for a more
sustainable textile has developed from lab stage to a commercially viable
product in just a few years,” Stigsson says.
The technology has been tested in a pilot line in Sweden and is now to be scaled
up with the construction of a demonstration plant at one of Stora Enso’s Nordic
facilities. Inter IKEA group and H&M group plan to use the fiber in their
products, but the aim is that the entire industry should benefit from this
sustainable fiber, since it can be used in conventional supply chains.
“We’re very happy to join this partnership and contribute to a more sustainable
textile production. Stora Enso produces dissolving pulp for textiles based on
renewable and fully traceable wood from sustainably managed forests. It will be
exciting to participate in the industrialization of this technology at one of
our facilities to meet growing demand,” says Markus Mannström, EVP of the
Stora Enso Biomaterials division.
“We welcome Stora Enso to this partnership. For us, TreeToTextile is a long-term
investment as we strongly believe it will contribute to offering our customers
even more sustainably produced products at affordable prices,” says Erik
Karlsson, Investment Manager for Sustainable Fashion at H&M group’s investment
arm CO:LAB.
“With Stora Enso as a partner we now add industrial knowledge and deep
competence within the cellulose field. This together with existing consumer and
textile knowledge as well as an entrepreneurial spirit brings us one step closer
to our goal of introducing a new sustainable low-cost fibre for the many
people,” says Lena Julle, Category Area Manager Textiles at IKEA of Sweden.
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Sustainable Brands Staff
Published Jan 25, 2019 7am EST / 4am PST / 12pm GMT / 1pm CET