Unifi gets zippy
A major manufacturer plans to use eco-friendly yarn from Greensboro-based Unifi in to produce a new, sustainable line of zippers.
Ideal Fastener Corp., the world's second-largest zipper maker, plans to use Unifi's 100-percent recycled yarns, called Repreve, in its Ideal Earth brand. Repreve, which will be used in a variety of styles and colors of zippers, is a collection of polyester yarns made from recycled products. Ideal says using the recycled yarn will reduce the manufacturer's need for virgin polyester.
Ideal estimates that, for every 150 of its sustainable jacket zippers or every 500 of its pant zippers made with Unifi's yarn, one gallon of gasoline will be conserved.