The global knitted fabric market was valued at USD 23.8 billion in 2018 and is projected to reach USD 35.7 billion by 2025, expanding at a CAGR of 6.0% from 2019 to 2025. Growth in the global apparel industry remains a major contributor to market expansion, while increasing adoption of knitted textiles across automotive, construction, manufacturing, medical, sportswear, and protective clothing applications is creating additional demand.

Market at a Glance

Why Is the Knitted Fabric Market Growing?

The expanding apparel sector is one of the primary forces supporting knitted fabric demand. Consumers are increasingly seeking lightweight, flexible, breathable, comfortable, and high-performance textiles, encouraging manufacturers to develop fabrics suited to a wider range of end uses.

Knitted materials are also becoming increasingly important beyond traditional clothing. Their use is expanding across automotive components, construction materials, manufacturing applications, medical products, protective clothing, sportswear, and other technical applications.

Asia Pacific represented the dominant regional market in 2018, accounting for 70.2% of total revenue. The region's strong position reflects the importance of textile and apparel manufacturing within the broader industry landscape.

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Product and Application Trends

Weft-knit fabric represented the leading product category in 2018, accounting for more than 60.0% of the industry. Demand is supported by its broad suitability for apparel and other textile applications.

Technical applications represented more than 80.0% of the market in 2018, demonstrating the growing importance of knitted materials in performance-oriented end uses.

Lightweight textiles are gaining particular attention. Demand has increased for materials incorporating polypropylene, linen, silk, faux fur, and synthetic fibers as consumers and manufacturers place greater emphasis on low-weight and high-performance products.

Circular knitted fabrics are also gaining traction in hosiery because of their breathability. Lightweight knitted textiles are being used in protective clothing where durability, anti-tear characteristics, and layered construction are important.

In sportswear, featherweight textiles combined with high compression, chlorine resistance, and moisture-management properties are increasingly valued. Knitted fabrics are also finding broader application in denim as consumers favor wrinkle-resistant, flexible, soft, and comfortable materials.

Synthetic Fibers Expand the Application Base

Synthetic fibers are becoming increasingly important in both construction and apparel. In construction, their use is expanding into geotextile applications involving roofs, walls, dams, and roads.

Their thermal-insulation and dust-resistant properties also make synthetic fibers suitable for products such as curtains, napkins, carpets, and tablecloths. These applications broaden the addressable opportunity for knitted and synthetic textile manufacturers beyond conventional apparel.

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AI and 3D Knitting Transform Manufacturing

Technology is becoming an important differentiator within knitted fabric manufacturing. Artificial intelligence is increasingly being applied to predict textile properties and product quality before actual manufacturing. AI-based quality inspection can also help reduce errors and operating expenses.

The adoption of 3D knitting machines is another significant development. These machines can knit multiple yarns simultaneously using digitally stored information, improving manufacturing productivity while making customized production easier. The ability to reduce operating time and costs could support further adoption of digitally enabled textile manufacturing.

Together, AI-driven quality control and 3D knitting technologies are contributing to a more automated and flexible production environment.

Consumer Preferences Influence Fabric Development

Changing consumer preferences are influencing both fabric characteristics and product design. Demand has grown for loop-stitch jackets, cardigans, large shawls, and scarves, while colors such as grey, classic black, brown, and beige have gained popularity globally.

The increasing preference for lightweight and comfortable apparel is also encouraging manufacturers to explore new fiber combinations and fabric structures. These developments are expanding opportunities for manufacturers that can deliver performance, customization, and design flexibility simultaneously.

Sustainability and Product Innovation

Sustainability is emerging as another area of product development. Manufacturers are exploring biopolymers and other approaches to produce more sustainable fabrics while maintaining performance characteristics.

Product innovation is also being used to expand knitted fabrics into new application areas. Manufacturers are increasingly focusing on fabric technologies that offer specialized properties and support applications beyond conventional clothing.

Explore the full list of profiled companies operating in this market with recent strategic initiatives

Competitive Landscape

The knitted fabric industry is highly fragmented, with numerous small producers competing alongside several larger manufacturers. Although the market includes a large number of smaller companies, leading players maintain significant market positions.

Key companies include:

• Baltex
• Jong Stit Co., Ltd.
• Georg and Otto Friedrich GmbH
• Zhejiang Chaoda Warp Knitting Co., Ltd.
• ABHINANDAN KNITS PVT LTD.
• Haining Jinmao Warp Knitting Co., Ltd.
• Guilford
• Loyal Textile Mills Ltd.
• TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC.
• Pacific Textiles Holdings Limited
• Teejay Lanka PLC
• SSM Industries

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