UNIFI on September 30 launched two yarns aimed at brand sourcing teams under pressure to phase out fluorinated water-repellent finishes: Cofira, a dual-function yarn that combines spun aesthetics with filament performance, and Resist2O Pro, a fluorine-free expansion of the company's water-resistant portfolio.

The Greensboro, North Carolina–headquartered maker of REPREVE recycled polyester introduced Cofira as a filament-spun fusion inside a single yarn construction. The product delivers spun yarn comfort alongside filament performance and accepts pairing with three of UNIFI's existing performance platforms — A.M.Y., ChillSense and ReFlexx — in a single SKU.

"These new products bring true innovative solutions through their multifunctional capabilities that help reduce complexities associated with high-performance products," said Eddie Ingle, CEO of UNIFI. "Engineered with recycled materials, these high-performance tech yarns are both versatile and sustainable."

UNIFI is positioning Cofira for apparel, furnishings, gear and accessories end-uses, a wide remit for a performance yarn launch. The yarn ships globally in virgin polyester and in REPREVE grades, including REPREVE Takeback. Recycled-content lots carry FiberPrint chain-of-custody verification and ship certified to U-TRUST, GRS and SCS.

What does the launch change for sourcing teams?

Cofira's flexibility poses the operational question first: can mills run dual-function constructions on existing circular knitting and weaving equipment? UNIFI has not specified retooling needs, and that gap will push brand sourcing teams to request plant trials before committing production volumes.

Resist2O Pro carries the heavier commercial weight. The technology minimizes water absorption, eliminates the traditional topical DWR finish step, and qualifies as both fluorine-free and PFOA-free below 5 parts per billion.

The framing lands directly on a current sourcing pain point. Mills and brands that have built PFAS-related items into restricted-substance lists now face reformulation pressure on the finishing side. Resist2O Pro moves water resistance from the finish stage into the yarn, removing the topical treatment entirely.

How compliant is "fluorine-free" on its own?

UNIFI defines PFOA-free as below 5ppb, which addresses one substance inside a wider regulated family. Brand restricted-substance lists typically cover a broader PFAS panel, and the sourcing decision for buyers is whether Resist2O Pro clears that full panel, not only the PFOA threshold.

Mills running the yarn should expect brand buyers to request full PFAS test reports before SKU commitment, alongside chain-of-custody documentation on the recycled-content share if the yarn ships in a REPREVE grade.

Showroom calendar for sourcing teams

UNIFI will showcase both technologies at Performance Days Munich, Booth J18, on October 13-14, followed by the Functional Fabric Fair in Portland, Oregon, Booth 730, on October 26-28. The Munich fair concentrates European technical-textile sourcing teams in outdoor, sportswear and workwear categories. Portland pulls North American outdoor and activewear buyers with the stronger overlap for brands sourcing PFAS-compliant performance fabrics.

The sourcing and compliance decision these launches force

Cofira functions as a yarn substitution play, easy to slot into the mill qualification cycles brands already run for recycled polyester grades. Resist2O Pro is the more disruptive proposition: moving water resistance from a topical finish into the yarn construction changes both the manufacturing flow and the chemistry panel a brand has to clear.

Sourcing teams with PFAS phase-out commitments already on the 2026-2027 calendar can move both products into supplier qualification immediately, using the Munich fair as the first in-person sourcing window. Buyers working to tighter phase-out timetables should hold production volume commitments until mills provide full restricted-substance-list sign-off beyond the PFOA threshold.