Textiles & Nonwovens

The Very Fiber of Innovation

#2

Largest Textiles Workforce in the Country (Lightcast, 2025)

650+

Textile and Textile Product Mills (NC Commerce, 2025)

$1.1B

in Exported Textile Goods (Wisertrade, 2025)

Nonwoven fabric in multiple colors
Textiles &
Nonwovens

Creating the Pattern for Textile Transformation 

North Carolina is a leading hub for textiles and nonwovens in the US, combining a skilled workforce, cutting-edge manufacturing, and top research institutions. The state drives innovation across industries—from transportation and home furnishings to medical and hygiene products. With a diverse textile ecosystem and close access to end users, North Carolina empowers companies to grow, innovate, and lead in the global market. 

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Dome Manufacturer to Invest $4.6 Million in Fayetteville for Manufacturing Facility

Yeadon Fabric Domes, LLC, a manufacturer of air supported structures, will create 72 new jobs in Cumberland County. The company will invest $4.6 million to build a manufacturing facility in Fayetteville.

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For the Fifth Year in a Row, North Carolina Ranks in Top Three States to Do Business

CNBC named North Carolina as second-best state to do business and in the top three for the fifth year in a row thanks to our well-trained and diverse workforce, booming economy, and strong business environment.

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North Carolina is where a rich textile tradition meets a thriving, high-tech, manufacturing hub, creating an unparalleled environment for both textiles and nonwovens companies.

33K
Workers in Textiles, Nonwovens, and Apparel making
600+
Degrees Awarded Yearly in Textile Sciences

Our Strong Workforce Is Woven In

North Carolina employs more than 33,000 people in the textiles and nonwovens industry, making it the second largest in the US (Lightcast, 2025). There’s never a shortage of skilled workers and valuable customers.

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Known for Teaching Textiles

North Carolina State University’s globally recognized College of Textiles leads the nation in nonwovens research and industry partnerships. Its Nonwovens Institute is the largest industry-academic cooperative research center in the nation.

Congratulations. Happy african american couple students in graduation dresses and hats embracing, having ceremony at university campus, enjoying and celebrating graduation, closeup portrait

Everything You Need from Needle to Thread to Cloth

All textiles and nonwovens companies can feel at home in North Carolina. With an especially high concentration of knit fabric, apparel knitting, nonwoven, fabric finishing, and cord and tire fabric mills, the right infrastructure is right here.

White cotton thread

Weaving around the World

Whether your materials are fit for transportation vehicles, home and office furnishings, or medical/hygiene products, you’re in the right place. NC’s advanced textile landscape is highly diverse and proximity to end users is second to none.

Black jersey fabric with fleece backing. Non-woven fabric textur

Textile and Nonwoven Companies in North Carolina

North Carolina’s advanced textile landscape is highly diverse, with companies serving a wide variety of both regionally and internationally based end users. There are several companies in the state that are innovating the textiles of the future.
American & Efird logo

American & Efird

Avgol Nonwovens logo

Avgol Nonwovens

Freudenberg logo

Freudenberg

Gildan logo

Gildan

Hanes Brands logo

HanesBrands

Kimberly-Clark logo

Kimberly-Clark

Lydall logo

Lydall

Mohawk Industries logo

Mohawk Industries

Parkdale Mills logo

Parkdale Mills

Saertex logo

Saertex

Uniquetex logo

Uniquetex

Being centrally located on the East Coast and having access to a growing advanced manufacturing talent pool were some of the differentiating factors for our decision to grow here.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What workforce development resources are available for textile companies?

    North Carolina leads the way in producing top-tier talent for the textile industry, supplying companies with a pipeline of skilled workers and unmatched access to textile and nonwovens R&D resources. The North Carolina State University (NCSU) Wilson College of Textiles is the only university in the United States with a college entirely devoted to textiles education and is the #1 textiles institution in the world. Six of North Carolina’s community colleges have dedicated training programs and manufacturing technology centers that provide a wide array of services to companies. 

  • What resources are available to support nonwoven businesses?

    North Carolina has many programs and research centers that support nonwovens businesses, including: 

Need more help?

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The EDPNC helps businesses large and small succeed in North Carolina. For assistance, fill out the form and a member of our team will be in touch.

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Bryn Covington

Bryn Covington

Business Development Specialist