USFibers secures strategic investment from Glisco, OIC to scale PET recycling, polyester staple fibre production

USA – USFibers has received strategic investment from Glisco Partners and Orion Infrastructure Capital to expand PET waste recycling into polyester staple fibre, add production capacity, and enter new markets.

Established in 1994, the company is a vertically integrated recycler and manufacturer of polyester staple fibre in the United States. 

Its recycling operations process post-industrial and post-consumer PET waste into fibre, keeping by-products out of landfill. 

The funding represents the next stage of the company’s development, according to the announcement.

Scaling Recycling Infrastructure

The proceeds aim to help add production capacity to address demand in core end markets, develop technical and product capabilities with a focus on specialised and engineered fibre applications, and continue spending on recycling infrastructure. 

USFibers operates a pilot-scale staple production line and a pilot-scale needlepunch nonwovens line, according to the company’s website. The investment will allow the company to scale these pilot capabilities to commercial production volumes.

The PET recycling process at USFibers involves collecting post-industrial and post-consumer PET bottles and containers, shredding, washing, and extruding the material into fibre. 

Unlike mechanical recycling that produces flake or pellet, USFibers’ vertical integration means the recycled PET goes directly from waste stream to finished fibre without intermediate processing by separate companies.

Market Demand for Recycled Fibre

Polyester staple fibre is used in automotive interiors, furniture batting, insulation, filtration, geotextiles, and nonwoven fabrics. 

As brand owners across automotive, apparel, and home furnishings sectors commit to increasing recycled content, demand for post-consumer recycled polyester fibre has grown.

USFibers’ ability to produce specialised and engineered fibre applications positions it to serve customers requiring specific performance characteristics.

Leadership and Partnership

Teddy Oh, who will continue to lead the company under its existing management structure, explained that the company is excited to partner with Glisco and OIC as it builds on the strong foundation established over the past three decades. 

He noted that this investment strengthens the company’s capacity, broadens its capabilities, and allows it to continue delivering high-quality, customised solutions to customers, while positioning it to be an even stronger, long-term partner to employees, suppliers, and customers.

When PET Bottles Become Car Seats

A PET bottle recycled into polyester fibre is not the end of the story. It is the middle. USFibers’ vertical integration turns waste into automotive interiors, furniture padding, and insulation, markets where recycled content is increasingly mandated. 

The Glisco and OIC investment is not just about fibre. It is about closing the loop from bottle to bumper.

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