TRENTON, S.C. — In a move that signals a significant shift toward the domestic fortification of sustainable manufacturing, USFibers, a premier U.S.-based recycler and producer of high-quality polyester staple fiber (PSF), has announced the closing of a strategic investment from Glisco Partners and Orion Infrastructure Capital (OIC). Announced on May 4, 2026, the capital infusion is designed to accelerate the company’s production capacity, modernize its technical infrastructure, and broaden its reach into burgeoning international and domestic markets. The partnership aims to solidify USFibers’ position as a cornerstone of the circular economy within the textile industry, providing a resilient supply chain for critical sectors including automotive, filtration, and geotextiles.
Founded in 1994 and headquartered in Trenton, South Carolina, USFibers has spent over three decades establishing itself as the largest vertically integrated recycler and manufacturer of polyester staple fiber in the United States. By leveraging advanced recycling technologies to convert post-industrial and post-consumer polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste into high-performance fibers, the company has successfully diverted millions of pounds of plastic from landfills annually. This new investment marks the beginning of a transformative era for the company, which remains under the leadership of CEO Teddy Oh and his existing management team.
A Legacy of Vertical Integration and Technical Innovation
The core of USFibers’ competitive advantage lies in its vertical integration. Unlike many manufacturers that purchase pre-processed recycled pellets, USFibers manages the entire lifecycle of the material—from the sourcing of raw PET waste to the final extrusion of specialized fibers. This control over the supply chain allows for a level of customization and quality assurance that is rare in the recycled materials sector.
Since its inception in the mid-1990s, the company has evolved alongside the technological advancements of the polymer industry. Today, USFibers serves a diverse array of end markets that require rigorous performance standards. In the automotive sector, its fibers are used in interior carpeting, trunk liners, and acoustic insulation. In the filtration industry, the company’s products are essential components in high-efficiency air and liquid filters. Furthermore, its geotextile applications support critical infrastructure projects, providing soil stabilization and drainage solutions that rely on the durability of polyester.
The strategic investment from Glisco and OIC is specifically earmarked to enhance these technical capabilities. According to company officials, a portion of the funds will be directed toward upgrading machinery to produce finer denier fibers and specialized cross-sections, which are increasingly in demand for high-performance filtration and medical-grade textiles.
The Strategic Partnership: Glisco Partners and OIC
The entry of Glisco Partners and Orion Infrastructure Capital brings a combination of private equity expertise and infrastructure-focused credit to USFibers. Glisco Partners, known for its focus on middle-market companies with high growth potential, views USFibers as a platform for long-term value creation. Alfredo Castellanos, Managing Partner of Glisco Partners, emphasized that the investment is a vote of confidence in the company’s management and its unique business model.
"Glisco is thrilled to partner with Teddy and the rest of the USFibers team, supporting their business vision and growth plans," Castellanos stated. "We look ahead to working alongside Teddy and OIC to create long-term value for stakeholders; our investors will have exposure to an outstanding business model led by a highly proficient management team."
Orion Infrastructure Capital (OIC) brings a different but complementary strength to the table. As a firm specializing in infrastructure and the energy transition, OIC’s involvement underscores the perception of USFibers not just as a textile company, but as a vital piece of industrial infrastructure. Ethan Shoemaker, Investment Partner and Head of Infra Credit at OIC, noted the growing demand for recycled polyester and high value-add applications as a primary driver for their involvement.
"For the company’s customers and suppliers, our investment means greater opportunities and a stronger and more resilient supply chain going forward," Shoemaker added. This resilience is particularly important in an era where global supply chains have faced unprecedented volatility, and domestic manufacturing is being prioritized by both the public and private sectors.
Contextualizing the Global Circular Economy in 2026
The investment comes at a time when the global community is grappling with the limitations of current recycling systems. The Circularity Gap Report 2025, a benchmark study for the industry, revealed a sobering statistic: while the world consumes approximately 106 billion tons of materials annually, only 6.9% of those materials are derived from recycled sources. This "circularity gap" highlights a massive untapped market for companies capable of turning waste into high-value industrial inputs.
In the United States, the push for sustainable materials has been driven by both consumer preference and increasingly stringent environmental regulations. Large-scale manufacturers in the automotive and consumer goods sectors have committed to "net-zero" targets, many of which involve incorporating a higher percentage of recycled content into their products by 2030. USFibers is uniquely positioned to help these corporations meet their sustainability mandates without sacrificing material performance.
The 2026 market landscape for polyester staple fiber is characterized by a shift away from virgin, petroleum-based polymers toward recycled PET (rPET). This shift is not merely environmental; it is economic. As carbon taxes and environmental impact fees become more prevalent in global trade, the cost-effectiveness of recycled fibers continues to improve relative to their virgin counterparts.
Chronology of the Deal and Advisory Roles
The path to this strategic investment was paved by a series of performance milestones for USFibers. Over the last five years, the company has expanded its collection networks, securing long-term contracts with post-industrial waste generators. This ensured a steady stream of raw material, which in turn attracted the attention of institutional investors looking for stable, "green" infrastructure opportunities.
TM Capital, a division of Capstone Partners, served as the exclusive financial advisor to USFibers throughout the transaction. The firm played a crucial role in navigating the complexities of a deal that involved both private equity and infrastructure credit. Their involvement highlights the sophisticated nature of the transaction, which required balancing the operational needs of a manufacturing plant with the long-term financial objectives of institutional lenders.
Implications for the Workforce and the South Carolina Economy
The investment is expected to have a tangible impact on the regional economy of Trenton and the broader South Carolina manufacturing corridor. South Carolina has a storied history in the textile industry, and the growth of USFibers represents a modern, high-tech iteration of that legacy.
While specific job creation numbers were not disclosed in the initial announcement, the expansion of production capacity typically necessitates an increase in skilled labor, from chemical engineers and machine operators to logistics and supply chain managers. CEO Teddy Oh emphasized that maintaining the company’s culture and its relationship with its employees remains a top priority.
"This investment strengthens our capacity, broadens our capabilities, and allows us to continue delivering high-quality, customized solutions to our customers," Oh said. "Just as importantly, it positions us to be an even stronger, long-term partner to our employees, suppliers, and customers."
Analyzing the Future of USFibers
The infusion of capital from Glisco and OIC allows USFibers to address several strategic goals simultaneously. First, the increase in production capacity will help alleviate the current supply constraints in the rPET market, where demand often outstrips supply for high-purity recycled fibers. Second, the focus on efficiency and technical upgrades will likely reduce the company’s own energy footprint, further enhancing its sustainability credentials.
Furthermore, the expansion into "new markets" hinted at in the announcement suggests that USFibers may be looking beyond traditional textiles. The rise of 3D printing, advanced composites, and non-woven medical applications presents significant opportunities for a company with USFibers’ extrusion expertise.
As the industry moves toward a more circular model, the role of companies like USFibers becomes increasingly central. By bridging the gap between waste management and industrial manufacturing, USFibers is providing a blueprint for how traditional industries can adapt to the ecological and economic realities of the 21st century.
The partnership between USFibers, Glisco Partners, and OIC is more than just a financial transaction; it is a strategic alignment aimed at scaling a proven model of sustainability. In a world where the circularity rate remains stubbornly low, the expansion of the largest vertically integrated recycler in the U.S. represents a significant step toward a more resource-efficient future. With a solid foundation in Trenton and a new injection of capital, USFibers is poised to lead the next generation of American manufacturing.
