Knitted Fabric Market

Market Overview:

The global knitted fabric market size is expected to exhibit a growth rate (CAGR) of 3.96% during 2024-2032. The market is experiencing growth due to increased demand in fashion, sports, and healthcare industries, driven by enhanced comfort, flexibility, and breathability of these fabrics. Additionally, innovative knitting technologies and sustainable production methods are influencing the market positively.

Knitted fabric is a textile produced by interlocking yarn loops, offering unique properties. Its primary benefits include flexibility, elasticity, breathability, and efficient production. These qualities facilitate moisture absorption and conformability, providing superior comfort and fit. Predominantly, it is employed in apparel manufacturing due to its adaptability and comfort. Other sectors include home furnishings, utilizing it for blankets and upholstery, healthcare for bandages and supportive garments, and the automotive industry for components like seat covers and airbags.

The market is primarily driven by the rising popularity of casual and sportswear, which extensively use knitted fabrics. Their breathability, elasticity, and moisture absorption properties make them ideal for this sector. In addition to this, the surge in home furnishing demands, where knitted fabric is used for blankets, bed sheets, and upholstery, is contributing significantly to the market's expansion. The healthcare sector's utilization of knitted fabrics in products such as bandages and support garments is acting as a key growth driver. Besides this, the automotive industry's application of knitted fabrics in seat covers and airbags is fueling the market growth. Other factors, such as the increasing population and growing middle-class demographics are creating a positive outlook for the market further across the globe.

Knitted Fabric Market Trends/Drivers:

Rising Demand from the Apparel Sector

The increasing product demand within the apparel sector is leading the market toward growth. This can primarily be attributed particularly to the growing popularity of casual and sportswear worldwide. This trend is largely attributable to shifts in societal norms, lifestyle changes, and the rise of athleisure fashion, which blends comfort with style. Knitted fabrics, with their inherent properties of flexibility, elasticity, and breathability, are ideally suited for the production of casual wear and athletic garments. Its ability to conform to body movements while providing excellent comfort levels is particularly appealing to consumers.

Enhanced Focus on Sustainability

The market is also influenced by the growing focus on sustainability. Consumers and businesses alike are increasingly attentive to the environmental impact of textiles. Knitted fabrics, which can be produced with less waste and energy than woven fabrics, are therefore appealing to the environmentally conscious consumers. There is also a rising inclination toward the adoption of more sustainable and ethical production practices. This includes the use of organic and recycled fibers, and fair-trade and transparent supply chains.

Advent of Smart Textiles

Knitted fabrics are being engineered with features like temperature regulation, moisture management, and even embedded electronics for wearable technology applications. In the healthcare sector, for instance, smart fabrics are being utilized to monitor patients' vitals remotely, enabling efficient, non-invasive healthcare provision. The athletic apparel industry has also embraced smart textiles, with garments designed to monitor performance metrics and provide real-time feedback. This rising demand for multifunctionality, coupled with ongoing advancements in textile technology, positions smart textiles as a critical factor propelling the growth of global knitted fabric market. The integration of intelligent functionalities into knitted fabrics is transforming the textile landscape and creating vast opportunities for innovation and growth in the sector.

Knitted Fabric Industry Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the global knitted fabric market report, along with forecasts at the global, regional and country levels from 2024-2032. Our report has categorized the market based on product and application.

Breakup by Product:

• Weft-Knit
• Warp-Knit

Weft-knit represents the largest market segment

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the product. This includes weft-knit and warp-knit. According to the report, weft-knit represented the largest segment.

Weft-knitted fabrics, created with a single yarn that runs back and forth to form horizontal rows, are distinguished by their unique features: elasticity, flexibility, and breathability. These attributes lend themselves well to a multitude of uses in various industries, from apparel and fashion to medical and automotive applications. Furthermore, advancements in manufacturing technology have contributed to the dominance of weft-knit fabrics. Modern automated knitting machines can produce these fabrics rapidly and efficiently, meeting high-volume demands. This efficiency not only helps manufacturers keep up with the large-scale requirements of industries but also allows for cost-effective production. Another key driver is the growing focus on sustainability within the textile industry. Weft-knit fabrics, due to their production process, generate less waste compared to their counterparts, appealing to the increasing consumer and corporate attention towards eco-friendly products. Besides this, the versatility of weft-knit fabrics facilitates their use in innovative applications, such as smart textiles, which integrate technology for enhanced functionality.

Breakup by Application:

• Household Products
• Fashion and Clothing
• Industrial Applications

Fashion and clothing account for the majority of the market share

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the application. This includes household products, fashion and clothing, and industrial applications. According to the report, fashion and clothing represented the largest segment.

The favorable properties of knitted fabric make it a preferred material in the clothing industry. They offer a good fit and are adept at conforming to body shapes and movements. These characteristics are especially advantageous in the production of casual wear, sportswear, and undergarments, which demand both comfort and flexibility. Additionally, societal shifts toward more casual dressing, facilitated by evolving workplace norms and the rise of remote working, have spurred increased demand for casual and comfortable clothing. This trend has further facilitated the role of knitted fabrics in the clothing sector. The emergence of smart textiles in the fashion industry is another significant driver. Knitted fabrics lend themselves well to this innovation, accommodating the integration of digital components and technologies to add different functionalities.

Breakup by Region:

• North America
  • United States
  • Canada
• Asia-Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Australia
  • Indonesia
  • Others
• Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • United Kingdom
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia
  • Others
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Others
• Middle East and Africa

Asia Pacific exhibits a clear dominance, accounting for the largest knitted fabric market share

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include North America (the United States and Canada); Europe (Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Russia, and others); Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, and others); Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, and others); and the Middle East and Africa. 

The Asia Pacific region boasts a significant population base, providing a substantial consumer market for apparel and home furnishings made with knitted fabrics. Rapid urbanization and the growing middle class, particularly in countries, such as China and India, have led to increased disposable income and purchasing power. This shift has spurred the demand for higher quality and more diverse clothing and home decor items, significantly contributing to the growth of the market. Moreover, the region has a well-established textile industry with a robust infrastructure for both production and export. Countries such as China, India, and Bangladesh are among the world's top textile producers and exporters, and their strong industry network supports efficient production and distribution of knitted fabrics. Additionally, labor costs in these countries tend to be lower than in other regions, which helps maintain competitive pricing.

Competitive Landscape:

Key players in the market are focusing on several strategic actions to enhance their market position and respond to emerging trends. Foremost among these is investing in research and development to introduce innovative fabrics with enhanced properties, such as moisture-wicking, antimicrobial, and UV-protective capabilities. As sustainability becomes a pressing concern, many manufacturers are shifting towards eco-friendly materials and practices, including the use of recycled or organic fibers and reducing water usage in production processes. Additionally, companies are expanding their production capacities and strengthening their supply chains to cater to the growing global demand. Collaborations and partnerships with fashion brands and sports apparel companies are also common, allowing these players to develop customized solutions and tap into new market segments. Some manufacturers are also exploring online sales channels to reach a broader customer base and enhance their market visibility.

The report has provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape in the market. Detailed profiles of all major companies have also been provided. Some of the key players in the market include:

• Abhinandan Knits Pvt. Ltd.,
• Baltex,
• Georg + Otto Friedrich GmbH,
• Guilford (Lear Corporation),
• Haining Jinmao Warp Knitting Co. Ltd.,
• Jong Stit Co. Ltd.,
• Loyal Textile Mills Ltd.,
• Pacific Textiles Holdings Limited
• SSM Industries Inc.
• Teejay Lanka PLC
• Toray Industries Inc.
• Zhejiang Chaoda Warp Knitting Co. Ltd.

Recent Developments:

• In December 2018, Toray Industries, Inc. announced that it will integrate the management of textile manufacturing subsidiaries in Thailand.
• In March 2018, Pacific Textiles Holdings Ltd. announced that it entered into an agreement with CIGL for the sale and purchase of knitted fabric.
• In June 2023, Baltex announced the launch of the exciting fabric, Bourellet, which is a breakthrough jersey knit material that has been engineered to provide unmatched functionality and style. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this fabric showcases a perfect blend of comfort, durability, and versatility, making it a game-changer in the industry.

Knitted Fabric Market Report Scope:

Key Questions Answered in This Report:

• How has the global knitted fabric market performed so far, and how will it perform in the coming years?
• What are the drivers, restraints, and opportunities in the global knitted fabric market?
• What is the impact of each driver, restraint, and opportunity on the global knitted fabric market?
• What are the key regional markets?
• Which countries represent the most attractive knitted fabric market?
• What is the breakup of the market based on the product?
• Which is the most attractive product in the knitted fabric market?
• What is the breakup of the market based on the application?
• Which is the most attractive application in the knitted fabric market?
• What is the competitive structure of the global knitted fabric market?
• Who are the key players/companies in the global knitted fabric market?

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC’s report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the knitted fabric market from 2018-2032.
• The research study provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the global knitted fabric market.
• The study maps the leading, as well as the fastest-growing, regional markets. It further enables stakeholders to identify the key country-level markets within each region.
• Porter's five forces analysis assist stakeholders in assessing the impact of new entrants, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitution. It helps stakeholders to analyze the level of competition within the knitted fabric industry and its attractiveness.
• Competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive environment and provides an insight into the current positions of key players in the market.