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Rhode Island has played a vital part in textiles manufacturing since colonial times with the opening of Samuel Slater Mill in Pawtucket. Today, more than 70 textiles companies remain in Rhode Island.

“Over the many years I’ve worked with Rhode Island’s textiles manufacturers, I’ve seen firsthand the remarkable work they do and their potential to grow and create jobs,” said Senator Whitehouse. “With the support of URI, we were able to start the Rhode Island Textile Innovation Network to help local companies promote their good work, train and hire Rhode Islanders, and share knowledge and insight with one another — to turn our textile stars into a constellation.” According to Johnson, Senator Whitehouse’s support of Rhode Island’s textiles industry and its early stages of research has emphasized the importance to textile manufacturers throughout the state. “Senator Whitehouse has been at the forefront of this,” Johnson said. “He has a strong relationship with the textile companies and is a big supporter of the industry and URI. He has helped get people’s attention about the importance of microplastics research and encourage companies to do whatever they can to support the research at URI.” RITIN works with trade associations, such as the Rhode Island Marine Trades Association, to help companies understand the challenges of microfiber pollution, and to connect the next generation of textile scientists to industry, where they will contribute to finding solutions. Johnson said that RITIN is made up of textile companies including Propel, LLC, Darlington Fabrics, Brookwood Finishing and Cooley Group, all of which have done projects with URI faculty.

As the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution, Rhode Island has a rich history in textile manufacturing. Today, the Ocean State’s connection to textiles remains strong with researchers at the University of Rhode Island studying textiles and their environmental impact. Rhode Island has played a vital part in textiles manufacturing since colonial times with the opening of Samuel Slater Mill in Pawtucket. Today, more than 70 textiles companies remain in Rhode Island. Mary Johnson is the manager of 401 Tech Bridge and the Rhode Island Textile Innovation Network (RITIN), an industry group for Rhode Island textile manufacturers that contribute to research, education, and development in the industry. According to Johnson, the relationship URI has with the textiles industry and its dedication to coastal research and ocean exploration allows for the further understanding of the presence of microfibers (a microplastic pollutant) in the ocean, especially in Narragansett Bay. “Everything having to do with the ocean is very important to Rhode Island and New England,” Johnson said. “Being able to collaborate across departments and colleges and with the textiles industry makes the research that the University does much more valuable.” The RITIN was founded by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (RI-D) in partnership with URI’s Business Engagement Center, Polaris MEP and industry partners in an effort to create more jobs in the textiles industry by fostering partnerships and collaboration within industry — and with industry, academia and government, through all phases of manufacturing.

URI Initiative Plastics: Land to Sea SPRING | 2021 Page 23