NSF Engine Spotlight: North Carolina Textile Engine

By leveraging advanced R&D and strong regional partnerships, the NSF Engine targets the $96 billion industry to drive a shift toward environmental sustainability and global competitiveness.

NCTISE brings together a coalition of universities (led by North Carolina State University’s Wilson College of Textiles), industry leaders, community organizations, investors, and policymakers, all united by a vision for revitalizing the textile industry with a focus on:

• Advancing circularity in textiles by building systems to capture and process post-consumer waste at scale, transforming it into new fibers and materials.
• Enhancing the sustainability ecosystem by focusing on design for end-of-life, product durability, repair capabilities, and textile reclamation.
• Developing a diverse, skilled workforce equipped for innovations in sustainable textiles, with a focus on inclusive access to well-paying jobs through new curricula, apprenticeships, and worker empowerment initiatives.

The NSF Engine addresses critical challenges such as additive chemistries, new materials, advanced manufacturing, and recycling technologies, with an emphasis on governance to ensure effective implementation. Under the leadership of CEO Anne Wiper, Deputy CEO Molly Hemstreet, Deputy CEO Melissa Sharp, and PI Dr. Andre West, the Engine envisions:

• Institutionalizing a regional textile innovation ecosystem that accelerates R&D applications and brings cutting-edge sustainable textile technologies to market.
• Engaging economic and workforce development organizations, manufacturers, and educational institutions to address workforce gaps and promote inclusive economic growth.
• Developing and informing policy, standards, and labeling to create clear definitions for textile circularity and sustainability, facilitating broader understanding and adoption.

Over the next decade, NCTISE aims to see the textile industry in the region and beyond evolve into a global leader in sustainable practices, characterized by innovative products, a robust circular economy, and a thriving, inclusive workforce. For more details, visit nctise.org