GREENSBORO, N.C. — October 13, 2026 — Unifi, Inc., together with polyester filament yarn manufacturers across North and Central America, today announced the launch of YarnProof™, an industry-wide initiative designed to provide immediate, physical verification of polyester filament yarn origin throughout the supply chain.
YarnProof, powered by FibreTrace® technology, embeds an invisible and permanent tracer into polyester filament yarn during extrusion. The tracer remains with the material throughout its lifecycle and can be immediately detected using a proprietary FibreTrace handheld scanner at designated points across the supply chain, including yarn, fabric, and finished goods.
By linking physical verification to origin claims, YarnProof supports compliance with the yarn-forward requirements of the CAFTA-DR and USMCA trade agreements. Working alongside existing documentation and certification systems, YarnProof adds a layer of verifiable evidence that strengthens trade integrity, protects compliant supply chains, and supports regional manufacturing.
“Supply chain integrity is a top priority for our brand,” said Nick Pence, Senior Director of Material Supply at Under Armour. “As we continue to rely on yarn manufacturers in the region to fulfill our brand’s strategic goals, we are encouraged by the proactive steps the industry is taking to enhance transparency and reliability throughout the supply chain, and to provide physical evidence to support sourcing history.”
As concerns over non-compliant trade continue to grow, trade regulators like U.S. Customs and Border Protection have emphasized the importance of private-sector solutions that help strengthen supply chain traceability and support enforcement efforts.
“Traditional methods of fraud detection, such as document review and site visits remain important,” said Kim Glas, President & CEO of the National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO). “With the launch of YarnProof, the region gains a new tool for substantiating origin claims, giving brands greater confidence in their sourcing decisions while creating additional opportunities for North and Central American manufacturing.”
North and Central American polyester filament manufacturers have united behind YarnProof to help decrease the reputational risk faced by brands and retailers, address growing scrutiny of supply chain claims, reduce exposure to non-compliant trade, and strengthen confidence in regional sourcing programs. These manufacturers are Aquafil O’Mara, Inc., CS America, Inc., CS Central America, S.A. de C.V., Nan Ya Plastics Corporation, America, Premiere Fibers, LLC, Sans Americas, Skytex México, S.A. de C.V., Tecnología Textil Avanzada S.A., Textufil S.A. de C.V., Unifi Manufacturing, Inc., and United Textiles of America.
“Strong regional manufacturing depends on trust, transparency, and consistent enforcement of trade requirements,” states Allen Jacoby President of Technical Textiles at Milliken & Company. “The ability to verify material origin through immediate physical evidence strengthens compliance, improves transparency, and builds confidence across the supply chain.”
As brands, retailers, and regulators place greater scrutiny on sourcing claims, YarnProof provides a new level of accountability for regional supply chains. By connecting physical evidence directly to material origin, the initiative helps protect compliant manufacturers, strengthen trust in regional production, and support the long-term competitiveness of North and Central American manufacturing.
For more information on YarnProof, please visit www.yarnproof.com
Posted: October 13, 2026
Source: Unifi, Inc.
