Life Sciences Brochure
From the mountains to the coast, North Carolina is committed to being a global life sciences leader.
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Plastics & Chemicals
Plastics &
Chemicals
Chemicals
A Perfect Reaction for Business Growth
North Carolina is a national leader in plastics and chemicals manufacturing, offering the Southeast’s largest and most skilled workforce, an infrastructure built to support mass exporting, and a tax structure that doesn’t hinder business growth. Home to major companies and innovative startups alike, businesses benefit from North Carolina’s low costs, high quality of life, and strong industry partnerships, making it an ideal destination for growth in the plastics and chemicals sector.
PPG Will Establish Cleveland County Manufacturing Center
PPG will create 110 jobs in the City of Shelby. The company reports it will invest $380 million to establish a new manufacturing center in Cleveland County, marking the return of the PPG brand name to Shelby, where the company first established a facility in the 1950s.
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HEYCO-Werk USA Will Invest $12 Million In Auto Plastics Production Facility
HEYCO-Werk USA Inc., a plastics injection molder for the automotive industry, will create 34 new jobs in Gaston County. The company will invest more than $12.75 million to build a new state-of-the-art manufacturing site in Gaston County.
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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.
Learn MoreNorth Carolina’s work in the plastics and chemicals industry is reaching new heights. Whether you specialize in plastics or chemical manufacturing, we have the infrastructure to help your company make its mark.
550+
Chemical & Plastics Engineers Graduate Annually
7%
Industry Growth Since 2018
4
International Airports and 2 Seaports
More Than Enough Lab Coats to Go Around
With more than 84,000 workers across 1,100+ establishments, North Carolina has the largest workforce in the Southeast for plastics and chemicals manufacturing (Lightcast, 2025). The state’s top universities produce more than 500 graduates in the field every year (UNC System, 2025).
The Pinnacle of Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
Pfizer, Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, and Thermo Fisher Scientific are just a few companies that develop life-saving medications here. Bolstered by customized partnerships with local schools, pharma manufacturers find highly skilled talent built for their needs.
An Infrastructure for Efficient Exporting
North Carolina’s location and exporting infrastructure makes for convenient shipping. The Port of Wilmington specializes in cold storage shipping, which helped lead to pharmaceuticals and vaccines being North Carolina’s top exported product in 2022.
Headquarters Find a Home Here
North Carolina’s low cost of business and high quality of life attract global headquarters of major plastics and chemical manufacturers like Albemarle Corporation, Sealed Air Corporation, and Burt’s Bees, Inc.
Plastics and Chemical Companies in North Carolina
Frequently Asked Questions
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What pharmaceutical companies are in North Carolina?
Companies like Pfizer, Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, and Thermo Fisher Scientific are actively developing life-saving and life-changing medications from their establishments in North Carolina.
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How large is the plastics and chemicals workforce in North Carolina?
North Carolina has a strong workforce presence in the plastic and chemicals industry, with 84,000+ workers across 1,100+ manufacturers. The state’s specialized education systems produce 550+ new plastics and chemicals engineers each year.
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What resources are available for life science companies in North Carolina?
North Carolina provides life science companies with top research universities, the largest US research park, specialized training, skilled talent, and strong industry partnerships to drive innovation and growth. You can find resources statewide:
Co-Labs and Incubators
- BioNetwork Natural Product Lab, Craft Beverage Services, & Test Kitchen at Asheville-Buncombe Tech
- The North Carolina Research Campus (NCRC)
- BioLabs NC
Training Facilities
- The Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise (BRITE) at North Carolina Central University (NCCU)
- The Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center (BTEC) at North Carolina State University
- The Pharmaceutical Services Network (PSN) at Pitt Community College
- National Center for the Biotechnology Workforce
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine
- IRCAD Surgical Training Institute
General Life Science Support
- The North Carolina Biotechnology Center (NCBiotech)
- The North Carolina Biosciences Organization (NCBIO)
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News
GLOBAL CHEMICAL MANUFACTURER DYMAX WILL CREATE 227 JOBS IN UNION COUNTY
Dymax Corporation, a global chemical and plastics manufacturer, will open a new manufacturing center and create...
News
EUROPEAN PLASTICS MANUFACTURER TO INVEST $47 MILLION TO BUILD U.S. MANUFACTURING PLANT IN GASTON COUNTY
Premix Group, a plastics manufacturer, will create more than 30 new jobs in Gaston County. The...
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