![]() The current state of the textile industry is miles ahead of where it began and I look forward to the new innovations we will see in the near future. Meeting the students who are developing the future of the textile industry right here in North Carolina was a highlight of the trip. It was a privilege to see both Parkdale Mills and the College of Textiles Centennial Campus in action. These partners help drive the purpose-driven research taking place in the Nonwovens Institute and throughout the College of Textiles The Nonwovens Institute has more than 60 industry partners and is the largest industry-academic consortium in the United States. The new Nonwovens Institute Partner Lab will revolutionize research and development in air, blood and water filtration and demonstrates the College’s close partnerships with leading companies throughout the world. These partners are fully integrated into the university, working with faculty, students and staff.įounded 113 years ago, the College of Textiles is the leading institution of its type with more than 2,000 graduate and undergraduate students. North Carolina State University’s College of Textiles “Centennial Campus”, is home to university colleges, departments, and research labs and also home to 61 industry and government partners who work with the university each day. textile industry, from textile heart filters, to textile composites used in airplane bodies, to highly flame resistant fabrics and clothing for soldiers, first responders and firemen – the United States is on the leading edge of new and innovative products and materials. There is huge expansion potential for this industry.Īdvanced textile materials hold great potential for the U.S. The global market for technical textiles was estimated to have a value of $93 billion in 2000 and expected growth is estimated at $127 billion in 2011. We toured the labs to see how technical advanced textiles are being used in aerospace, industrial, marine, medical, military, safety, and transportation. Our second tour was to see the future of textiles at North Carolina State College of Textiles. ![]() Performance textiles are fiber-based products that are valued for their technical function and properties as well as their aesthetics. There are more than 500 performance textile businesses located in 76 out of 100 counties across North Carolina. Freudenberg, the world’s largest producer of nonwovens, has two locations in the state, with its North American headquarters in Durham Kimberly Clark, a vertically integrated manufacturer and converter of nonwoven products for the health and hygiene markets, with two manufacturing facilities and PGI, one of the world’s leading companies in the hygiene, wipes, medical, industrial, and specialty markets with production operations in four locations in the state, with its headquarters in Charlotte. Many global leaders of the industry call North Carolina home. North Carolina in particular has a high concentration of our textile industry. textile and apparel exports grew 19 percent to $20 billion, and were up 14 percent through November of 2011. The industry is one of the largest employers in the manufacturing sector. economy with a major source of employment and economic activity. The textile and apparel industry provides the U.S. Businesses that contribute to this volume of exports range from small, family-owned and operated facilities to integrated mills that operate state of the art machinery and production equipment. Many people may not be aware that the United States is the second largest single country exporter of textiles, with $20 billion in exports in 2010. ![]() The industry representatives included Polymer Group International (PGI), Unifi, Inc., Mount Vernon, Frontier Spinning, Pharr Yarns, Hanesbrands, VF Corporation, and the North Carolina Department of Commerce who are all very familiar with the changing face of textile and apparel production here in the United States. Parkdale hosted a unique industry panel of local textile representatives, to share with us the issues facing manufacturing, the importance of innovation for advanced textile manufacturing, and the importance of industry growth in jobs and exports. (John Clark/The Gazette)ĭuring the past two years, increased demand for Parkdale’s diverse mix of high quality cotton, cotton blend, and polyester yarns has allowed the company to allocate more than $100 million on capital expenditures, creating nearly 1,500 jobs. Francisco Sanchez, under secretary of commerce for international trade, left, listens to plant manager Keith Nicholson, right, as he toured Parkdale plant 15 in Belmont on Wednesday morning.
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