UNIFI® Inc. announced that the company has been named to Fast Company’s 2025 list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies in the Fashion and Apparel category.

“Being recognized as one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies is a great honor,” says Eddie Ingle, chief executive officer of UNIFI. “Polyester is the most widely used fiber in the world, and industries need a sustainable solution that can be adopted into supply chains to reduce reliance on virgin production. Our goal at UNIFI is to use our industry-leading REPREVE® brand to mainstream recycled and circular products, which will help build a more sustainable future.”

UNIFI was recognized for its commitment to sustainability, including its Textile Takeback™ process that produces ThermaLoop™, circular polyester and insulation from post-industrial and post-consumer fabric waste.

To date, UNIFI has recycled the equivalent of 950 million T-shirts’ worth of textile and yarn waste, which is more than halfway toward its goal of recycling the equivalent of 1.5 billion T-shirts’ worth of waste by fiscal year 2030. Additionally, UNIFI aims to divert 50 billion plastic bottles from landfills by the end of 2025 and is on pace to cut GHG emissions by 30% by fiscal year 2030.

“Our list of the Most Innovative Companies offers both a comprehensive look at innovation today and a playbook for the future,” says Brendan Vaughan, Fast Company editor-in-chief. “This year, we recognize companies that are harnessing [artificial intelligence] AI in deep and meaningful ways, brands that are turning customers into superfans by overdelivering for them, and challengers that are introducing bold ideas and vital competition to their industries. At a time when the world is rapidly shifting, these companies are charting the way forward.”