Unifi Breaks Ground on Recycling Center Expansion

Unifi, Inc. yesterday celebrated the groundbreaking of its planned 85,000 square foot addition to the Company’s REPREVE Recycling Center in Yadkinville, N.C. The expansion will increase capacity to produce Unifi’s recycled fiber brand, REPREVE, and other premier value-added products (PVA) by up to 60 million pounds. The $10 million investment also will add an estimated 18-20 new jobs in the Yadkin County area in the future.

The state-of-the-art recycling center originally opened in 2011. The addition is estimated to be finished in spring of 2016, and is being completed by North Carolina-based Omega Construction, Inc.

“We are very encouraged by the continued growth of REPREVE and the opportunities it brings for Unifi and our customers,” said Roger Berrier, president and chief operating officer of Unifi, Inc. “This investment affirms our commitment to sustainability, and allows us to provide increased resources for the needs of our customers.”

“Unifi’s expansion underscores its continued growth and commitment to textiles in North Carolina,” said Governor Pat McCrory. “We welcome these new jobs and the investment in Yadkin County, as well as the continued development of North Carolina-based innovation.”

As part of Unifi’s company-wide commitment to sustainability, the REPREVE Recycling Center was built with environmental benefits in mind. The addition will aim to incorporate many of the same sustainable features as the original building, such as:

  •  Skylights to take advantage of natural sunlight
  •  Energy-efficient light fixtures
  •  Low-flow fixtures for reduced water usage
  •  Building materials comprised of recycled content

Adding to the focus on sustainability, a newly installed solar farm could provide roughly 10 percent of the energy at the REPREVE Recycling Center. The solar farm has a 1-megawatt capacity and sits on six acres of land at Unifi’s G. Allen Mebane Industrial Complex in Yadkinville.

Image:  Left to Right: Barry Shore, Polyester Operations Manager for Unifi; Tom Caudle, Vice President of Manufacturing for Unifi; Roger Berrier, President & Chief Operating Officer for Unifi; Bill Jasper, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer for Unifi; Bobby Todd, President of Economic Development Partnership and Executive Director of Yadkin County Chamber of Commerce; and Barry Hennings, President of Omega Construction.