Nonwovens

Nonwovens

North Carolina: Home to the Future of Nonwovens

With a reputation for innovation and a legacy in textiles, North Carolina is the perfect fit for nonwoven textile companies. For nearly three decades, industry leaders like Dupont and Kimberly-Clark have called North Carolina home. Our robust nonwovens research ecosystem is supported by the state’s strong education system.

#1 Largest Nonwovens Workforce in the USCNBC Top State for Business 2022, 2023home to 8 of the worlds top nonwoven companies
Leading Producer of Nonwovens

North Carolina is where a rich textile tradition meets a thriving, high-tech hub to create an unparalleled environment for both textile and nonwovens companies. The state boasts the largest concentration of nonwovens companies, users and suppliers in the nation and is highly specialized in engineered fabrics. 8 of the top 10 nonwovens firms in the world operate in North Carolina. NC’s nonwoven industry contributes $398.5M annually to the state’s GRP. This is more than double that of any other nonwovens cluster in the nation.

Strong Supply Chain

With 83% of the raw materials needed by nonwovens manufacturers able to be sourced in-state, you’ll find everything you need for your supply chain. 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.

Education and Workforce

North Carolina Universities produce the most textile sciences and engineering degrees in the United States. 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.

Fastest Growing State for Nonwovens

North Carolina has added more jobs within the nonwovens industry over the last 10 years than any other state. Home to the largest nonwovens manufacturing workforce in the U.S., more than 39,000 people work directly in NC’s textile manufacturing sector. Thousands of North Carolinians work in occupations that have transferable skill-sets for the industry.

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.
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ASSOCIATION OF THE NONWOVEN FABRICS INDUSTRY (INDA)
INDA provides sourcing and business development services to hundreds of member companies in the nonwovens industry.
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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.
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CAROLINA TEXTILE DISTRICT
Offers qualified sourcing, a full value-chain connection through its Mill Network program and an incubator for textile entrepreneurs.
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IN GOOD COMPANY

Berry Logo
Dupont Logo
Kimberly Clark Logo
Jacob Holm Logo: Magic Meets Fabric
Carolina Nonwovens Logo
Avgol Nonwovens Logo

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