The apparel, bedding, floorcovering, traditional textiles, nonwovens and technical textiles sectors in the US are booming with new investments and expansions. Most investments are focused on sustainability and development of Central America, says a Textile World report.
One of the first investments is Eastman Chemical Co putting in$1 billion in a material-to-material molecular recycling facility in France. The facility will recycle upto 160,000 metric tons annually of hard-to-recycle plastic waste currently being incinerated. West Sacramento, Calif.-based Origin Materials Inc plans to invest at least $750 million to develop a biomass manufacturing facility in Ascension Parish, La. The plant will produce plant-based polyethylene terephthalate (PET) with sustainable wood residue for use in packaging, textiles, apparel and other applications.
Floor covering companies expand operations
Floor covering companies are also expanding their operations. Dalton, Ga.-based Shaw Industries Group, a global flooring provider, is expanding its operations in Aiken County, SC with $400 million investment. Sherrill Furniture, a manufacturer of high-end furniture, plans to invest $2.9 million to open a new custom upholstery production facility in Conover, NC. The company manufactures high-quality custom furniture for nine furniture brands, retailers and interior designers in 50 states of the US.
Focus on Central America
In December 2021, Vice President Kamala Harris announced significant multimillion-dollar investments by Parkdale Mills and six other companies into Central America. The most prominent amongst these is over $100 million investment by Intradeco Holdings in Central America, part of which will be used to expand the company’s solar energy power. Miami-based Intradeco Holdings also plans to invest $100 million in Central America to make the most of the CAFTA-DR and nearshoring opportunities.
Rise in investments in sleep products
Investments in sleep products have also been growing in recent past. Manufacturer of hybrid memory foam mattresses, Somnus Mattress International LLC announced a $13 million investment plan to establish operations in Blacksburg, S.C. The company will manufacture mattresses to serve clients across the US. Oremium manufacturer and supplier of bedding products BRN Sleep Products AS announced an investment of more than $4.3 million to establish operations in Orangeburg County, SC. The company manufactures and assembles mattresses and bases; besides marketing, distribution and sale of bed products.
Delivering non-wovens and technical textiles
Indorama Venutures company Avgol® America Inc has partnered YanJan USA LLC to deliver exclusive nonwoven product offerings to the North American market. Va-based Verdex has secured financing to scale its proprietary nanofiber technology and complete a commercial manufacturing facility in Richmond, Va. Damien Deehan, Co-CEO, Verdex, says, the investment allows Verdex to target specific challenges and problems in multiple industries to create game-changing products.
Investments in apparel sector
Through one of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Montreal-based Gildan Activewear acquired 100 percent stake in Phoenix Sanford LLC for approximately $168 million. The acquisition will allow Gildan to build on its global vertically integrated supply chain by further internalizing yarn production.
Charlotte, NC-based clothing and apparel company Citadel Brands LLC announced an investment of more than $7.5 million to establish operations in Kingstree, The new operations will increase the company’s distribution capacity and promote future growth for new products and brands. Though these investments are very large in terms of capital but they enable these companies to participate in the growth story of the US textile industry.
