UNIFI, Inc., the makers of Repreve and a global leader in recycled and synthetic yarns, has been named to Fast Company’s list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies of 2025 in the Fashion and Apparel category. The recognition highlights UNIFI’s commitment to sustainability, particularly its advancements in bottle-to-textile and textile-to-textile recycling.

Eddie Ingle, Chief Executive Officer of UNIFI, expressed pride in the achievement: “Being recognised as one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies is a great honour. Polyester is the most widely used fibre globally, and industries need sustainable solutions to reduce reliance on virgin production. Our goal is to mainstream recycled and circular products with our industry-leading Repreve brand, helping to build a more sustainable future.”

UNIFI continues to set global standards in recycling technology with its Textile Takeback process, which produces circular polyester and ThermaLoop insulation at a commercial scale. This process repurposes post-industrial and post-consumer fabric waste, enabling global brands to extend the lifecycle of their materials. To date, the company has recycled the equivalent of 950 million T-shirts’ worth of textile and yarn waste and is on track to reach 1.5 billion by 2030.

The company also aims to divert 50 billion plastic bottles from landfills by the end of 2025 while cutting greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 30% by 2030. UNIFI monitors its sustainability progress using third-party, peer-reviewed life cycle assessment data and bold target setting.

Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies list recognises businesses that are reshaping industries and achieving remarkable milestones. The editorial team evaluates thousands of submissions to highlight companies that drive progress across the global economy. This year’s list acknowledges firms harnessing artificial intelligence, brands fostering customer engagement, and challengers introducing bold new ideas.

The full list of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies is available at fastcompany.com, with a print edition hitting newsstands on 25 March. Fast Company will also host the Most Innovative Companies Summit and Gala on 5 June, featuring a day of discussions and a creative black-tie gala with networking, a seated dinner, and an honouree presentation.

www.UNIFI.com

www.repreve.com