Wilson College of Textiles Shines at Techtextil

Passersby in downtown Raleigh may have noticed something a bit different about the Sir Walter Raleigh statue in front of the Raleigh Convention Center Aug. 20-22. The larger-than-life statue donned a tartan cape in celebration of Techtextil North America. 

The yearly trade show brings together professionals from across the continent to connect and learn about the latest industry trends. Novel fabrics, machinery with advanced automation and other cutting edge technologies in the world of technical textiles and nonwovens are all on display. The tartan on Sir Walter Raleigh’s cape, designed by a Wilson College of Textiles alumna in 2017, served as a symbol for the institution’s massive impact on the event. 

“The biggest focus in the industry right now is the continued effort to improve sustainability across the industry, including recycled materials, hemp and bio-based fibers,” Melissa Sharp, associate director of the college’s Zeis Textiles Extension, says of the event. “Additional trends are around the advancements in the functionality of materials.”

Over 100 students, staff and faculty from the Wilson College attended the conference. Many of these students, staff and faculty also presented their research during the event. Students benefited from a discounted attendance rate due to the college’s long-standing partnership with the event. 

“Our students have unparalleled access to the show since it is so close to our college, providing them with a rare opportunity to interact with industry professionals across many sectors of the industry and for companies to interact with students who may have interest in internships and permanent employment after graduation,” Sharp says. 

These networking opportunities for students are aided by the number of NC State and Wilson College alumni who attend the conference each year. That close-knit community and industry presence was evident at the North Carolina Textile Foundation’s alumni and friends events. 

The Zeis Textiles Extension (ZTE), which offers prototyping and research services for the industry from its state-of-the-art facilities in the Wilson College, enjoys a symbiotic relationship with TechTextil North America.

“TechTextil provides a unique opportunity for ZTE to showcase our capabilities and industry services,” Sharp says. “The TechTextil team is a wonderful partner with the Wilson College to highlight the U.S.’s only college of textiles and how the Wilson College is able to support the textile industry in North Carolina and beyond.”