North Carolina State University will receive millions in federal funding to help enhance the textile industry in the U.S.
The North Carolina Sustainable Textiles Innovation Engine is one of 10 entities nationwide to receive funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation through its Regional Innovation Engines program. Each of the entities selected will receive up to $15 million for two years and up to $160 million over 10 years.
North Carolina's textile-focused effort is led by The Industrial Commons, a nonprofit based in Morganton. Meanwhile, N.C. State will serve as a core partner in the effort, leading its research and development. The partnership also includes community colleges, manufacturers and brands.
"The team will have the infrastructure and ties to rapidly develop, revitalize and scale a cutting edge and environmentally sustainable textile industry that can be competitive in the global economy," said N.C. State Chancellor Randy Woodson. "That can lead to new jobs, new opportunities and economic prosperity for our citizens."
Andre West, N.C. State professor and co-principal investigator on the grant, said outcomes of the engine's efforts could include a reduction in the textile sector's carbon footprint, the development of new product lines and an increase in U.S. production of textile products.
"The Engine will look for ways to capture and process post-consumer waste at scale, and then process that waste into the building blocks that can become fibers for new textiles," West said in a release from N.C. State. "It will also take a broad approach that focuses on all aspects of the sustainability ecosystem."
The Piedmont Triad Regenerative Medicine Engine, based in Winston-Salem, was also included in the awards announced on Jan. 29. This partnership includes the Wake Forest Institute of Regenerative Medicine, North Carolina A&T State University, Winston-Salem State University and Forsyth Technical Community College. The aim is to accelerate the transition of regenerative medicine technologies into commercial products.
