Southeastern North Carolina has a long and productive history in the textile industry. Today, advanced and performance textiles contribute to 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 is home to many excellent resources for companies in this industry. There are approximately 2300 employees in textile and apparel firms in the region. Additionally, many of the region’s chemical plants (~50) produce raw materials for the textile industry.

To learn more about the advantages we offer to companies in the textile industry, please download our Advanced Textiles Fact Sheet.

Segment Strengths

• Chemicals and Resins: Specialty chemical companies located in the region include Hexion Chemical, BASF, and Silar Laboratories. And textile companies with chemical production capabilities include DAK Americas, Invista, and Wright Chemical.   

• Natural Fibers: Cotton production in NC’s Southeast Region is among the highest in the state, which ranks ninth in national production. Six of our counties produced over 20,000 bales (480 lb bales),and total production in the Region was over 250,000 bales (USDA 2008).

• Synthetic Fibers: 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.  

• Military / Protective Market: Fort Bragg and Camp Lejune 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.

• 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.  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.

Workforce Development Programs and Institutions

• Textiles Off-Campus – program which allows professionals to continue their education in this rapidly changing industry, regardless of their location.   A graduate certificate in Nonwoven Science and Technology is available.

• TexEd – leading provider of extension education and engagement for textiles and allied businesses and services. The program offers textile technology certificate programs, e-learning options, and customizable in-plant training opportunities

• NC Textile Connect – a website designed to connect NC textile companies with the myriad of resources, product and marketing information and events within the University and NC State government.
  

• NC State University Nanotechnology Institute – a university research consortium focusing on applied technologies such as nano-textile research.

General Advantages

• Mid-Atlantic location gives access to 200 Million US and Canadian residence in a one-day drive time.

• Workforce that is 10% more productive than the national average.

• The second lowest unionization rates in the country (4.1%).

• 2 deep water ports in NC and within 200 miles of the highest volume ports on the east coast (Norfolk, VA and Charleston, SC).

• Free customizable training programs through NC’s Community College system at any of our eight Community Colleges.

• Foreign Trade Zone 214 at the Port of Wilmington and Foreign Trade Zone 93 inland.

• Highly competitive incentives and financial assistance.

• Population growth at nearly twice the national average.

• Quality of life that attracts and retains talent with a cost of living that is lower than the national average.