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Zhejiang Kingsun Eco-Pacl Ltd. (Kingsun), a Chinese manufacturer of biodegradable paper tableware, announced today it will establish its first U.S. production facility in Robbinsville, North Carolina. The company will hire for 300 jobs, and with successful initial operations and phased project development, hopes to create up to 515 jobs in Graham County, representing a $80.5 million investment in the Western North Carolina region.
“North Carolina offers global companies a perfect location for expansion into North America,” said Governor Josh Stein. “We welcome Eco King to western North Carolina, where it will find a welcoming business climate, education and workforce programs tailored to its needs, and the full range of competitive advantages that make North Carolina the top state to do business in the country.”
Kingsun will open its operation in an adaptively reused space in a former furniture manufacturing building, located at 68 Snowbird Road. The building has been officially vacant since 2020 and largely underutilized in square footage since 2014, when previous tenants ceased operations. The arrival of Kingsun marks a new opportunity for the community—making it the largest manufacturing project announced in Graham County and the seven-county region in the last 15 years.
“We have been impressed by how welcoming Robbinsville, Graham County and North Carolina have been to our company and this important project,” said Ping Zhang, Chairman, Eco King Solutions. “We worked very hard to find the right location for our business to thrive. We know we found it right here due to the excellent workforce, quality of life and friendly business climate. We are excited to be a part of the community, and we are excited for our company to prosper here.”
The facility will be used to manufacture Kingsun’s full range of eco-friendly disposable tableware, including biodegradable dishware, bowls, and plates. In addition to production, the company will dedicate a portion of the space as a showroom for buyers of its products, hosting clients and potential partners on-site.
The project not only reactivates a long-dormant facility but also reestablishes an important industrial capability in Western North Carolina. Kingsun uses wood pulp and recycled cardboard as raw materials for its products—resources that align well with the region’s legacy of wood-based manufacturing. This investment helps preserve that skillset and reconnects the local economy with its manufacturing roots.
“This is a transformative win for Graham County and the entire region,” said Christopher Chung, CEO of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina. “Beyond the jobs and investment, this project affirms the critical roles that sustainability and manufacturing play in Western North Carolina and across the whole state. We are proud to have helped bring Kingsun here and look forward to supporting their long-term success in our state.”