UNIFI showcases innovation and circular economy technologies at Febratex 2026

UNIFI, the manufacturer behind the global brand REPREVE® and a leader in synthetic recycled yarn innovation, participated in Febratex 2026, held from August 18 to 21 at Parque Vila Germânica in Blumenau (SC). Recognized as one of the Americas’ premier technology and innovation trade shows for the textile industry, the event brought together companies and professionals to focus on solutions shaping the sector’s future.

During the event, UNIFI showcased new textile technologies and circular economy solutions, highlighting the Brazilian launch of A.M.Y.® Peppermint—a plant-based odor-control technology derived from peppermint oil—and the expansion of REPREVE Takeback™, which is now produced entirely from recycled textile waste.

Circular economy-based booth

A highlight of UNIFI’s participation in Febratex 2026 was the “Circular Booth” concept, developed in partnership with PROY Arquitetura and Rato Roi. The project utilized ByePlastic® and Multiflex panels to demonstrate how temporary architecture can incorporate circular economy principles and reduce waste at trade shows and events.

Modular, demountable, and reusable, the space was designed to breathe new life into post-consumer materials and showcase—in a practical way—how sustainability, design, and innovation can be applied to event architecture.

In total, approximately one ton of plastic waste—including textile materials—was transformed into a functional, reusable architectural solution. The volume of material used for the booth was roughly equivalent to:
– 25,000 post-consumer plastic packages;
– 6,000 post-consumer PET bottles;
– textile waste equivalent to about 600 polyester T-shirts.

Beyond its environmental impact, the project involved recycling cooperatives, thereby contributing to productive inclusion and income generation.

A.M.Y.® Peppermint arrives in Brazil

During Febratex 2026, UNIFI also introduced A.M.Y.® Peppermint to the Brazilian market—a new technology within the A.M.Y.® platform for odor control.

Developed using sustainably sourced peppermint oil, the technology offers a plant-based alternative to traditional odor control treatments. The yarn is designed to provide a long-lasting feeling of freshness throughout the product’s lifespan and is suitable for various applications, such as apparel, footwear, home textiles, and automotive interiors.

A.M.Y.® Peppermint is available globally in both virgin polyester and REPREVE® recycled polyester yarns.

Key attributes of the technology include:
– long-lasting odor control that remains effective even after 50 home wash cycles;
– plant-based technology derived from mint, including peppermint oil;
– availability in virgin polyester and REPREVE® recycled polyester yarns;
– traceability of REPREVE® yarns via FiberPrint® technology;
– U-TRUST®, GRS, and SCS certifications regarding recycled content.

A.M.Y.® Peppermint joins UNIFI’s portfolio of odor control solutions, which also includes silver- and zinc oxide-based yarn technologies. The platform’s various solutions meet the growing demand for products that combine performance, comfort, well-being, and sustainability.

REPREVE Takeback™ expands textile recycling solutions

Another highlight presented by UNIFI at Febratex 2026 was the expansion of REPREVE Takeback™, a circular polyester solution now produced entirely from recycled textile waste—with the exception of dyes, additives, and low-melting-point polymers.

This development broadens the company’s portfolio of circular solutions and reinforces its strategy of transforming textile waste into new industrial materials.

REPREVE Takeback™ now includes high-performance filament yarns and dyeable white staple fibers, expanding the material’s potential applications across various products and processes within the textile supply chain.

The initiative also aligns with UNIFI’s goal to recycle—by the 2030 fiscal year—an amount of textile waste equivalent to that generated by 1.5 billion T-shirts.

Innovation and sustainability for the textile industry

UNIFI’s participation in Febratex 2026 underscored the importance of technological innovation and the circular economy in developing new solutions for the sector. At the booth, customers and partners had the opportunity to explore domestic and international products created using the company’s materials and technologies, as well as get a close look at new offerings for the Brazilian market.

“We are very pleased to participate in this key industry event and to reinforce our commitment to sustainable innovation through these new product launches,” said Mauro Fernandes, CEO of Unifi do Brasil Ltda.

With solutions focused on recycling, performance, and reducing environmental impact, UNIFI’s presence at Febratex 2026 highlighted various pathways for the textile industry to advance toward more circular and sustainable models.

About UNIFI, Inc.

UNIFI, Inc. (NYSE: UFI) is a global leader in synthetic fiber technology. Using proprietary recycling technology, UNIFI® is a pioneer in scaling the transformation of post-industrial and post-consumer waste into sustainable products.

Through the REPREVE brand—a global leader in traceable recycled fibers—UNIFI is transforming how various industries think about the materials they use—and reuse.

As a vertically integrated manufacturer, the company has direct operations in the United States, Colombia, El Salvador, and Brazil, as well as sales offices in various regions around the world. UNIFI envisions a future where circular and sustainable solutions are the only choice.

For more information about UNIFI, visit:www.UNIFI.com.

About REPREVE®
Produced by UNIFI, Inc. (NYSE: UFI), the REPREVE® brand is a global leader in high-performance recycled resins and fibers.

Through proprietary recycling technology, REPREVE utilizes multiple waste sources, including disposable plastic bottles, ocean-bound plastics, textile waste, and recycled yarn.

To date, REPREVE has transformed more than 46 billion plastic bottles and the equivalent of 1 billion T-shirts’ worth of textile waste into recycled fibers, driving globally scalable products for some of the world’s leading brands.

With traceability guaranteed by FiberPrint® technology and U-TRUST® certification, REPREVE is present in diverse segments, including apparel, footwear, home furnishings, industrial, medical, military, mobility, and packaging. For more information about REPREVE, visit: www.repreve.com.