#Sustainability

2021-10-14

Unifi champions sustainability at Fall Furniture Market

Unifi, Inc. (NYSE: UFI), one of the world’s leading innovators in recycled and synthetic yarns, is helping to make the home furnishings industry become more sustainable. Company leaders are hosting and taking part in three panel discussions (described below) during this year’s High Point Fall Furniture Market as part of the “Sustainability Stories” series by the High Point Market Authority (HPMA).

The REPREVE® Mobile Tour will also be at Furniture Market from October 15 to 19, demonstrating, through an interactive experience, how Unifi’s technology transforms plastic bottles into fibers used in furniture and other consumer goods.

“As furniture brands continue to make more sustainable choices in their product designs, we support and empower their transition to more responsible sourcing,” said Jay Hertwig, senior vice president of commercialization at Unifi. “Partnering with the HPMA and having a presence at the largest home furnishings industry trade show in the world is a natural fit for Unifi and REPREVE. This is an excellent opportunity to highlight leading brands who are already using REPREVE and further the awareness of sustainability in various applications.”

The Big Shift: Why Circular Design is the Way of the Future

The next generation of consumers is more mindful about the environment and climate change than ever before, and there is great demand for the furnishings industry to shift from the linear make-take-toss lifecycle into more circular and sustainable practices. Chad Bolick, Unifi’s vice president of global key accounts, will join other panelists for a discussion about replacing the end-of-life concept with upcycling, shifting toward renewable energy, reducing carbon emissions, eliminating the use of toxic chemicals, and aiming to eliminate waste.

3 Distinct Views - One Eco-Focused Goal

Rachel Bradley, Unifi brand sales manager, will lead a panel where participants will discuss their eco-friendly lifestyle perspectives, tips for shopping sustainably, and favorite Furniture Market sustainable sources. Participants will also share their unique views on sustainable products on display during the “Sustainability Stories” program.

Eco-Friendly Manufacturing: A look behind the scenes

Hertwig is participating in a panel featuring updates from Unifi and other manufacturers who will share insights on how they create sustainable products and source sustainably.

“The industry is becoming increasingly more aware of the value and importance of sustainable practices,” said Tom Conley, president and CEO of HPMA. “Through our “Sustainability Stories” activation at Center Stage during Fall Market, we aim to highlight those who have embraced an eco-friendly focus and provide an opportunity for discovery and education so the industry can continue to make strides towards a more sustainable future.”

Market attendees can view the full schedule and programming elements for Center Stage, here:

https://www.highpointmarket.org/events/sustainability-stories

“Production is a product”

From technical textiles and AI-driven robotics to the limitations of textile circularity: Professor Dr Thomas Gries looks back on more than two decades of development at ITA Aachen. In the interview, he explains why production technology remains a decisive success factor, discusses international collaborations and innovation ecosystems, and shares his views on the transformation of production landscapes and the challenges facing an increasingly regulated industry.

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt

“Innovation, resilience and international experience remain the great strengths of the Swiss textile machinery industry”

Geopolitical uncertainty, growing competitive pressure from China, new free trade agreements and the shift towards a circular economy are currently reshaping the global textile industry. In this interview, Cornelia Buchwalder discusses the current mood within the Swiss textile machinery sector, the industry’s distinctive innovative strength, new market opportunities in India and Asia, and the technological trends that could shape the upcoming trade fair cycle leading up to ITMA 2027.

The Or Foundation, adidas, BESTSELLER, H&M Group, and Inditex launch Apparel Recovery Coalition, responding to impacts of post-consumer textile exports

adidas, BESTSELLER, H&M Group, Inditex and The Or Foundation, with support from Circle Economy, unveiled the Apparel Recovery Coalition (ARC). The coalition will explore how producer responsibility systems can support circular pathways such as reuse, upcycling, recycling, and responsible waste management in countries that receive large volumes of exported secondhand apparel.

NEUMÜHLE launches mono-material hoodie designed for textile recycling

With the Circular Mono Hoodie, Zurich-based label NEUMÜHLE introduces a new essential designed around a single-material principle. The textile construction is cotton throughout, right down to the sewing thread. Entirely free from elastane, the hoodie launches as a Limited Drop for CHF 139. Take-back, collection and existing recycling partnerships complement its circular design.

EIM evolves into a new Environmental Intelligence to measure the impact of textile production

¿Do we really know the environmental impact behind a garment? Answering this question remains one of the textile industry’s major challenges. Garment production involves multiple stages, from yarn and fabric to final finishing, carried out by different players across the supply chain. Accesing reliable data from each process, connecting it and establishing a common language are essential to understanding a product’s true impact.

Mayer & Cie. Global gears up tor ITMA Asia 2026

Mayer & Cie. Global will focus on mattress fabric production at ITMA Asia, taking place in Shanghai from 20 to 24 November 2026. The company will showcase one of its flagship models for this application: the OVJA 2.4 EM. Joining the mattress fabric specialist will be an OV 3.2 QCe, presented at ITMA Asia in a configuration for knitting double-face fabrics in E40. This gives the OV 3.2 QCe a combination of capabilities rarely found in the market. The German textile machinery manufacturer will also introduce its new portfolio strategy and share updates from its development team at its Albstadt headquarters.

FET highlights advances in fibre spinning technology at Dornbirn Global Fiber Congress

Fibre Extrusion Technology Limited (FET) presented its latest developments in fibre spinning technology at the Dornbirn Global Fiber Congress in Austria in September 2026. In a presentation entitled “Spinning a good yarn”, Dr Jonny Hunter examined recent technological developments and challenges facing the fibre industry, highlighting the company's expanding range of specialised fibre extrusion and spinning systems.

Vietnam’s market evolution creates new sourcing opportunities at VIATT 2027

As Vietnam’s textile industry continues to upgrade and scale, new opportunities are emerging for suppliers of advanced raw materials, design-led fabrics, production technologies, and sustainability solutions. The Vietnam International Trade Fair for Apparel, Textiles and Textile Technologies (VIATT) will return 24 – 26 February 2027, presenting a cross-sector platform – spanning apparel, home and technical categories – for overseas companies to connect with manufacturers, brands, sourcing offices, retailers, and industry buyers from Vietnam, ASEAN, and beyond.