One Facility.
A World of Resources.
This center will be a breakthrough for the textile industry because the fiber idea or concept conversion will be all under one roof…we can produce the products that we need, and it will not be made in China or Asia but in Gaston County.
Davis Warlick
Executive Vice President, Parkdale Mills
THE RACE IS ON TO INNOVATE. ARE YOU READY?
An advanced materials revolution is underway. Fashion brands, healthcare institutions, automotive suppliers, scientists, our defense department, and many others are all focused on creating better textile solutions to address sustainability, create better performance, and provide our front-line workers with improved protection and safety.
Today, the process to develop innovative new textile solutions and products is timely, expensive, and highly fragmented. It requires travel across the globe to access all the resources and technology that may be needed for research and development, testing and production.
The Fiber Innovation Center at Gaston College’s campus in Belmont, North Carolina will be a world-class facility focused on the future of the textile industry. From the new polymer development lab to the automated extrusion line – It will be the only facility in the world where scientists, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders can take a fiber idea and convert it to a textile product under one roof.
CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES
THE FUTURE OF TEXTILES IS COMING HOME.
FIBER INNOVATION CENTER
FIBER INNOVATION CENTER
For over 75 years, the Textile Technology Center (TTC) in Gaston County, North Carolina has provided technical assistance and support to the textile industry in North Carolina and around the world. While the industry has evolved over the years, the TTC has remained committed to helping companies and entrepreneurs meet new and emerging needs for developing and testing advanced fibers and fabrics.
Continuing our excellence in innovation and creativity, the Textile Technology Center at Gaston College and the Manufacturing Solutions Center at Catawba Valley Community College joined forces at the end of 2020 to create the Manufacturing and Textile Innovation Network (MTIN) to provide the industry and manufacturers with an unmatched resource for textile testing, prototyping, applied research & development, business incubation sourcing and workforce training.
Education remains at our core and our commitment to the industry will continue as as the new Fiber Innovation Center also brings new educational opportunities for those interested in the textile industry. To meet new and emerging workforce demands a new associate degree program, internship opportunities, and customized training programs will be offered by the College.
OUR COMMITMENT TO THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY
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EQUIPMENT
CONSTRUCTION
When completed, the new facility in Belmont, North Carolina will be approximately 39,000 square feet and include an extrusion lab, spun yarn and filament processing areas, and incubation space for entrepreneurs.
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