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Green textile biz coming to China Grove

By Ben McNeely | Media General

Published: May 5, 2009

CHINA GROVE - Sustainable Textile Group LLC, a national manufacturer of fabric made from pre-consumer waste, will establish a new facility in Rowan County. The company plans to invest $11 million and create 223 jobs in China Grove during the next two years.

The state and Rowan County offered economic incentive grants to bring the company to the old Hanesbrands facility in China Grove.

Gov. Bev Perdue announced the move today in a press release. The state has promised a $300,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund to the green company. Rowan County also granted a 75-percent tax rebate for five years to the company for investing in the county.

Sustainable Textile Group, LLC is part of the Sustainable Solutions Network of companies, which includes Sustainable Solutions Inc., Strateline Industries LLC and Circle LLC. The companies offer a wide range of sustainable products and services. Those include non-woven fabrics made from regenerated cotton fibers. The fabric is used in items such as personal wipes and other non-woven materials for the home furnishing, medical and automotive industries.

The plant in China Grove will produce yarns from regenerated fibers. The 223 new jobs will pay an annual average wage of $29,141, not including benefits, according to the release.

"The common misconception is that 'green' always costs more. It is our goal to produce items that are first of all better products, cost the same or less and are sustainable. Utilizing 'waste' as a raw material, we create high-quality products that are then sold globally," said Joy Nunn, founder and CEO of Circle LLC. "With the assistance of Gov. Bev Perdue and local leaders, Sustainable Textiles Group LLC is able to re-open a closed textile facility, produce competitively priced and high-quality products, and offer job opportunities to hundreds of North Carolinians. It is a win-win-win situation."