Advanced Textiles

Southeastern North Carolina has a long and productive history in the textile industry. Over the past decade, a shift from traditional weaving and sewing textiles to advanced and technical non-weaving textiles has occurred. Advanced and performance textiles are more automated and provide a variety of products in the region, including military uniforms and equipment, synthetic fibers, environmental protection products, industrial and automotive filters, and clothing. As a leading state in textile manufacturing, North Carolina has a number of excellent resource organizations to assist companies in this industry sector.

Advanced Textiles Assets

 

The center for the entire US textile industry and its technological innovations is NC.  NC’s Southeast Region has the assets to make non-woven and technical textile companies successful.  While traditional textile and apparel manufacturing industries continue to move overseas, NC’s Southeast remains competitive.  The region, which is currently home to over 30 performance textile companies (and 50 other textile companies), is emerging as a major hub for next-generation fabric, apparel and textile production.

Access to Raw Materials

 

The region is a unique producer of both the synthetic and natural raw materials required to foster innovation and growth in the advanced textiles industry.  

 

  • Chemicals and Resins:
    • Chemicals provide the base raw material to form fibers as well as dyes or finishes that can be applied to various textile products
    • Specialty chemical companies located in the region, include Hexion Chemical, BASF, and Silar Laboratories.
    • Textile companies with chemical production capabilities include DAK Americas, Invista, and Wright Chemical.   
  • Natural Fibers:
    • Cotton is the most widely used natural, cellulosic fiber in advanced textile production.
    • Cotton production in NC’s Southeast Region is among the highest in the state, which ranks sixth in national production. 
    • 3 counties produced over 20,000 bales (480 lb bales),  total production in the Region was over 100,000 bales (USDA 2008).
  • Synthetic Fibers:
    • The main synthetic fibers are polyester, nylon, acrylic, polyolefin, and spandex, which are important components of a wide variety of advanced textile products.
    • The Region is home to a growing number of firms that specialize in the production of synthetic fibers, including DAK Americas, Quantum Acrylics, Omni Systems/Hygiene Systems, and Kordsa USA.  

 

Access to Growing Product Markets

  • Military / Protective Market:
    • The Department of Defense procured over $156 million in textile products from NC companies in 2005. (www.ncmbc.us/ClothingandTextiles.php)
    • Fort Bragg, in the Region, and Camp Lejune, adjacent to the Region, are two of the nation’s largest military installations and provide convenient access to leading consumers of “protective” and “intelligent” textiles.
    • Companies in the Region currently supplying military /protective needs include: Berg General Supply, Forster Textile Mills, NYP Corp-Ampack Division, Paraclete Armor & Equipment, and Camoteck.
    • NC Military Business Center - a business development organization whose mission is to leverage military and other federal business opportunities for NC-based industrial assets.
  • Medical / Hygiene Market:
    • This market will be experiencing rapid growth over the next decade in this region more than others due to increasing retirement and military populations. 
    • A robust medical textiles industry will be needed to provide this growing marketplace with final products such as paper-like textiles found in medical apparel, sanitary napkins, and diapers, to new medical devices and drug delivery systems that use biocompatible fibers.
    • Companies in the Region that are actively serving the Medical / Hygiene market include: Castle Uniforms, Cascades Tissue Group-NC, Laurel Hill Paper, and Omni Systems/Hygiene Systems.

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NORTH CAROLINA'S SOUTHEAST
The Regional Economic Development Marketing Organization For Southeastern North Carolina
707 West Broad Street, P.O. Box 2556, Elizabethtown, NC 28337
Phone: 800-787-1333 Fax: 910-862-1482
 
 
 
 
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