RALEIGH, N.C. — November 17, 2026 — North Carolina’s textile innovators are invited by The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) to join a trade delegation to the Middle East focused on technical textiles and advanced material applications. This mission will connect participating companies with distributors, manufacturers, and government buyers seeking high-performance fiber, yarn, fabric, and finished solutions across industrial, medical, defense, and infrastructure sectors.
Who should participate?
Companies producing or supplying:
- Fibers and filaments: high-tenacity polyester, aramid, carbon, polypropylene, UHMWPE, and bio-based fibers.
- Yarns: multi-filament, high-modulus, conductive, antimicrobial, and flame-resistant yarns.
- Fabrics: woven, nonwoven, and knitted structures engineered for filtration, protection, composites, or geosynthetics.
- Finished goods and systems: personal protective equipment (PPE), ballistic panels, smart textiles, automotive interiors, filtration media, marine composites, or performance apparel.
Why the Middle East?
Rapid expansion in smart infrastructure, defense modernization, oil & gas safety, and renewable energy projects is fueling demand for advanced technical fabrics. Regional buyers are increasingly seeking U.S. partners known for quality, innovation, and reliability — and North Carolina’s textile cluster leads the nation in technical and specialty textile manufacturing.
Benefits to Delegates:
- Pre-arranged B2B meetings with vetted distributors and buyers;
- In-market briefings on regulatory, customs, and procurement trends;
- Exposure to high-value niches — aerospace, geotextile, filtration, energy, and defense sectors; and
- On-site logistical and translation support through state and federal trade partners.
Participating Regions: Oman, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.
Planned Dates: Spring 2026
Application Deadline: February 15, 2026
To express interest or receive the full itinerary, contact Jeri Barutis at Jeri.barutis@edpnc.com
Source: The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) – Jeri Barutis
Posted: November 21, 2025
