O'Mara Introduces Eco-Fil as the Only'Genuine' Recycled Polyester

Rutherford College, NC--March 1, 2007--Responding to growing consumer and industry demand for environmentally friendly textiles, O'Mara, Inc., a leading full-line producer of nylon and polyester yarns, has introduced Eco-Fil, the world's only filament polyester yarn made from 100% post-consumer plastic beverage containers. In addition to its unique position in the recycled products category, Eco-Fil's superior performance characteristics make it suitable for an exceptionally wide range of end-use applications.

Eco-Fil has been termed "greener than green" because the environmental benefits of its 100% post-consumer content are far greater than those of merely "recycled" products. Company President Tim O'Mara explained, "It's critical to realize the difference between post-consumer waste and other recycled materials. Eco-Fil is made exclusively from PET bottles that have actually been filled with beverages, depleted by the consumer, and reclaimed from the waste stream."

Mr. O'Mara pointed out that many textile companies claiming to use 100% recycled components are actually including factory scraps, production line rejects and other materials salvaged or diverted from upstream "post-industrial waste"--which is normally reclaimed anyway. These textiles may contain only five- to ten-percent actual post-consumer waste, he said. He also cautioned that proportions of source materials in these yarns often vary, resulting in inconsistent quality and performance. "You never know what you're getting," he warned.

By recapturing the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from emptied bottles, the Eco-Fil process ensures a true "closed-loop" product lifecycle, yielding substantial ecological benefits: It reduces the depletion of natural resources, eases the burden on landfills, requires less energy use, and reduces America's reliance on imported petrochemicals. As a synthetic material, Eco-Fil also eliminates the need for herbicides and pesticides used for natural fibers. Economic benefits include more stable, predictable sourcing and prices for recycled raw materials, independent of world petroleum markets.

No Sacrifice in Quality

Along with Eco-Fil's outstanding environmental virtues, O'Mara company officials point out that the fiber still offers the physical properties textile and apparel manufacturers demand in a high-quality polyester yarn--a soft, luxurious hand, strength, shrinkage resistance, dye uptake, colorfastness, stretch, durability and manufacturability. The yarn can be fully or partially oriented, texturized, dyed, woven, knit, spun and finished to meet the needs of diverse textile markets. It is currently delivering outstanding performance in  automotive and contract upholstery, home furnishings, rugged fabrics for marine and outdoor recreation products, sports and high-tech performance apparel, hosiery, narrow fabrics, and fine fabrics for designer clothing lines.

Noting the remarkable growth of consumer interest in environmentally compatible products and sustainable industries, company Chairman Joseph O'Mara said that the real business risk today lies in not meeting the demands of those markets. "There is obviously growing public concern about such current issues as global climate change, dependence on nonrenewable oil resources and environmental damage from hazardous materials and other pollutants," he said. "Because of these concerns, consumers are not only more accepting of products based on recycled materials, they are actively seeking them out, and voting with their wallets."

It's Easier Being Green

It was a different story in 1993, when the first generation of recycled polyester fleece was introduced , meeting with some consumer resistance due to its stiffer feel and higher price. Today, O'Mara's next-generation formulation and production produce recycled filament yarns that approach virgin polyester in softness, smoothness, drapability and color. The company has also upgraded Eco-Fil by adding a certified fire-resistant (FR) treatment, as well as an exclusive SmartSilver permanent anti-odor/antimicrobial finish based on advanced nanotechnology. These enhancements, according to the company, are designed to solidify Eco-Fil's position as the leading choice for mills and manufacturers seeking versatile, high-quality, 100% post-consumer-waste filament yarns.

To reinforce the Eco-Fil brand among textile producers as well as finished product manufacturers, O'Mara, Inc. has developed a distinctive logo, symbolizing the recycling process, to identify the fiber in whatever end-product it is used. The company is also providing marketing support through new corporate literature.

About O'Mara, Inc.

O'Mara, Inc. is a private, ISO 9001-certified producer of filament yarns, with 37 years of industry experience. Under its flagship OMTEX brand, the company produces a full line of polyester filament yarns for knitting and weaving, and Type 6 and Type 66 nylon filament yarns for narrow fabrics and knitwear. All OMTEX yarns can be solution-dyed, texturized and partially or fully drawn to meet specifications for a broad range of textile applications. O'Mara, Inc. maintains manufacturing plants in Rutherford College, NC and Guntersville, AL; and executive offices in both Rutherford College and Wayne, PA. From its strategic East Coast locations, the company is able to provide fast, reliable delivery to customers across the country. As a private firm, O'Mara, Inc. places a premium on providing a superior level of service and value to its customers.

For more information about Eco-Fil or other O'Mara products, please contact:

Tim O'Mara, President, O'Mara, Inc.

828-874-2100 / [email protected]

or:

Gary Siegel, President, CNA Publications, Inc.

212-684-0455 / [email protected]