Textiles
THE VERY FIBER OF INNOVATION.
AN UNPARALLELED INDUSTRY PRESENCE
North Carolina exports roughly $1.4 billion in textile goods globally each year, leading the nation with nearly 20% of all U.S. textile exports. Home to the largest textile mill industry in the U.S., the state employs more than 39,000 people. An industry presence this big means there’s never a shortage of skilled workers and valuable supply chain partners.
A DEDICATED LEARNING & INNOVATION CENTER
North Carolina State University’s globally recognized College of Textiles leads the nation in nonwovens research and industry partnerships. And by educating the next generation of textile specialists, it regularly streams new entrants through our state’s talent pipeline.
A WORKFORCE THAT WORKS HARDER
More than 39,000 people work directly in NC’s textile manufacturing sector. This includes the largest nonwovens manufacturing workforce in the U.S. Thousands of North Carolinians work in occupations that have transferable skill-sets for the industry.
AN EASY CONNECTION TO END-USERS
The state’s two deepwater seaports and two Class 1 rail carriers provide access to millions of suppliers and customers. Even better, NC’s advanced textile landscape is highly diverse and proximity to end users is second to none. Whether your materials are a fit for transportation vehicles, home & office furnishings or medical/hygiene products, you’re in the right place.
“North Carolina is a recognized center for nonwoven manufacturing and R&D and we have identified here a strong infrastructure to support our business.”
– Ilan Pickman, CEO, Shalag Industries Ltd
Industry Support
THE NONWOVENS INSTITUTE AT N.C. STATE UNIVERSITY (NWI)
The world’s first accredited academic program for the interdisciplinary field of engineered fabrics. The NWI is an innovative global partnership between industry, government and academe.
Learn More
TEXTILE PROTECTION AND COMFORT CENTER (T-PACC) AT N.C. STATE UNIVERSITY
A world leader in laboratory-based instrumented systems, its facilities are devoted to analysis of heat and flame protection, chemical resistance and comfort performance.
Learn More
ZEIS TEXTILES EXTENSION
Located at NC State University, ZTE provides training and certification in textiles and serves the industry's prototyping production needs for entrepreneurs as well as corporations.
Learn More
COTTON INCORPORATED
An initiative funded by U.S. growers of upland cotton and importers of cotton/cotton textile products, is the premier research and marketing company representing upland cotton.
Learn More
CAROLINA TEXTILE DISTRICT
Offers qualified sourcing, a full value-chain connection through its Mill Network program and an incubator for textile entrepreneurs.
Learn More
ASSOCIATION OF THE NONWOVEN FABRICS INDUSTRY (INDA)
INDA provides sourcing and business development services to hundreds of member companies in the nonwovens industry.
Learn More