Knitted Fabric Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Product (Weft-knit, Warp-knit), By Application (Technical, Household, Fashion & Clothing), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 35.31 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	7.55%
Fastest Growing Segment	Technical
Largest Market	Asia Pacific
Market Size (2031)	USD 54.65 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Knitted Fabric Market is projected to grow from USD 35.31 Billion in 2025 to USD 54.65 Billion by 2031 at a 7.55% CAGR. Knitted fabric is a textile created by the interloping of yarns, forming a flexible and elastic material distinct from woven structures. The global market for knitted fabrics is significantly driven by the sustained demand for comfortable and versatile apparel, particularly activewear and casualwear, alongside the increasing preference for sustainable and eco-friendly textile solutions. Furthermore, advancements in knitting machinery, including technologies like 3D and seamless knitting, enhance fabric quality and expand applications across various sectors. According to the International Textile Manufacturers Federation, global textile capacity utilization reached 72% in May 2025, indicating active production within the broader industry.

However, the market's expansion faces a notable challenge from the volatility in raw material prices, encompassing fibers such as cotton and polyester, which can significantly impact manufacturing costs and profitability. This fluctuation introduces uncertainty for producers navigating supply chain complexities.

Key Market Drivers

The increasing demand for comfortable and versatile apparel significantly influences the global knitted fabric market. Consumers prioritize clothing that offers flexibility, breathability, and ease of movement, directly aligning with the inherent properties of knitted materials. This trend is particularly evident in the expanding athleisure and performance wear sectors, where knitted fabrics excel due to their stretch, moisture-wicking capabilities, and soft hand feel. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in March 2026, apparel prices in the US rose 3.4 percent year-on-year, slightly exceeding the overall inflation rate of 3.3 percent, indicating sustained consumer expenditure in apparel categories often featuring knitted constructions. This persistent consumer preference drives innovation in knitting technologies to produce fabrics that meet both aesthetic and functional requirements across casual, active, and some formal wear categories.

The growing adoption of sustainable and eco-friendly textile solutions also acts as a crucial driver for the knitted fabric market. As environmental awareness increases, both manufacturers and consumers are seeking materials and production processes that minimize ecological impact. Knitted fabric producers are increasingly incorporating organic, recycled, and biodegradable fibers, along with adopting resource-efficient dyeing and finishing techniques. According to the GOTS 2024 Annual Report, the number of GOTS-certified facilities increased by 5.2% from 2023 to reach 15,441 facilities across 87 countries, reflecting the rising industry commitment to organic textile standards. This shift towards responsible manufacturing practices positions knitted fabrics as a preferred choice, aligning with global sustainability goals. Furthermore, according to the Lenzing Group's 2025 Annual and Sustainability Report, published in March 2026, the Fiber Division's revenue was EUR 1.9 billion in 2025, demonstrating significant activity within a key segment supplying raw materials to the knitted fabric market.

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Key Market Challenges

The volatility in raw material prices, particularly for fibers such as cotton and polyester, presents a significant impediment to the sustained growth of the global knitted fabric market. These unpredictable fluctuations directly increase manufacturing costs for producers, making it difficult to maintain stable operational expenses and achieve predictable profit margins. Such cost instability introduces considerable uncertainty into production planning and pricing strategies, which can strain supply chain relationships and impact competitiveness.

This challenge directly hampers market growth by creating financial pressures across the value chain. According to textile associations and company sources, in March 2026, over half of manufacturers in India's textile industry reported a 20-25% increase in overall input expenses, with polyester prices specifically jumping around 20%. Such significant surges in raw material costs necessitate price adjustments for finished knitted products, potentially dampening consumer demand or forcing manufacturers to absorb higher costs, thereby eroding profitability and limiting investment in innovation or expansion.

Key Market Trends

Advancements in 3D and seamless knitting technologies are reshaping production capabilities within the global knitted fabric market by enabling the creation of intricate, form-fitting garments with minimal waste. These innovations facilitate the manufacturing of complete knitted products in a single process, enhancing design flexibility and comfort without the need for traditional cut-and-sew methods. However, the market faces varied adoption rates and regional challenges. For example, according to Shima Seiki Mfg., Ltd.'s Message from Top Management, dated February 20, 2026, net sales for WHOLEGARMENT® flat knitting machines, a key 3D knitting technology, decreased by 10.3 percent year-on-year for the fiscal year ended March 2025, largely due to softness in the Chinese and Italian markets. This indicates that despite technological prowess, market demand and economic conditions significantly influence the commercial trajectory of these advanced knitting solutions.

Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are fundamentally transforming knitting production, leading to increased efficiency and adaptability. AI-powered software enhances design processes, allowing for quicker prototyping and complex pattern generation, while integrated automation streamlines manufacturing workflows. This digital evolution extends to predictive maintenance and quality control, optimizing resource utilization and minimizing production disruptions. According to the VDMA Textile Care, Fabric and Leather Technologies Association, April 2026, in its 'Threads of the Future – How Automation and Digitalization Will Reinvent Textile Processing by 2035' study, order intake in the Textile Care, Fabric and Leather Technologies segment rose by 8.8 percent year-on-year in real terms from March 2025 to February 2026. This growth underscores the substantial industry investment in intelligent, networked production systems to meet evolving market demands.

Segmental Insights

The Technical segment leads the Global Knitted Fabric Market as the fastest-growing category, primarily due to its capacity to fulfill exacting performance demands across a multitude of industries. These specialized knitted fabrics are engineered for precise functionalities, including moisture management, durability, and resistance to various elements, rendering them indispensable in applications such as high-performance sportswear, protective gear, and advanced medical textiles. Growth is further propelled by continuous advancements in textile technology and material science, leading to innovative properties like integrated sensors in smart textiles. Additionally, stringent safety and performance regulations across critical sectors, particularly healthcare, necessitate the adoption of such advanced materials, thereby driving the segment's rapid expansion.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific stands as the leading region in the global knitted fabric market, primarily due to its expansive manufacturing capabilities and established textile industries across countries like China, India, and Bangladesh. The region's dominance is underpinned by competitive production costs, including advantageous labor expenses, which facilitate large-scale output and robust export-oriented operations. Significant government initiatives and continuous investment in advanced textile technologies and digitalization further enhance production efficiency and product quality. This, combined with strong domestic demand for high-quality textiles and extensive supply chain networks, firmly establishes Asia Pacific's preeminent position in the market.

Recent Developments

• In May 2026, H&M collaborated with Stella McCartney for a new collection featuring rib knitted dresses and tops. This product launch, marking two decades since their initial partnership, highlighted a strong focus on recycled and organic materials. The collection blended current signature designs with elements from McCartney’s early archives. Key items included rib knitted garments with a distinctive Falabella chain detail at the neck, reflecting both modern styles and a commitment to sustainable practices within the global knitted fabric market.
• In April 2026, spek Design, in collaboration with a research group, received a Techtextil Innovation Award for its development of "knittable wood." This breakthrough research in the global knitted fabric market involves a new composite material combining yarns from renewable resources like cellulose with a lignin coating. The material can be processed on knitting machines to create flat or tubular knitted fabrics, which are then heated, shaped into individual forms, and permanently set. This innovation offers a compostable and microplastic-free material with diverse potential applications.
• In April 2026, Sangeet Syntex Limited showcased its latest knitted fabric innovations at FABTEX 2026 in Mumbai. The company presented a comprehensive portfolio of greige and finished circular knitted fabrics, along with business-to-business garment solutions. These new product launches featured advanced fabric developments with performance finishes, including moisture-wicking, UV protection, and anti-microbial properties. The showcased innovations targeted various applications such as sportswear, corporate wear, uniforms, casual wear, and home textiles, highlighting the company’s expertise and integrated manufacturing capabilities.
• In April 2026, KARL MAYER Textilmaschinen GmbH introduced a Warp Knitted UV Protection Jacket at Techtextil. This new product launch represents a significant breakthrough in technical knitted fabrics, offering UV protection of 50+ without the need for chemical finishing. The protective effect is achieved solely through the dense warp-knitted structure of the fabric. The material provides enhanced breathability compared to similar circular knits at the same weight, alongside features such as being lightweight, cooling, soft, and shape-retaining, meeting contemporary design and comfort requirements.

Key Market Players

• 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.
• Lear Corporation
• Loyal Textile Mills Ltd.
• Toray Industries Inc.
• Pacific Textiles Holdings Limited

By Product	By Application	By Region
Weft-knit Warp-knit	Technical Household Fashion & Clothing	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Knitted Fabric Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Knitted Fabric Market , By Product:

• Weft-knit
• Warp-knit

• Knitted Fabric Market , By Application:

• Technical
• Household
• Fashion & Clothing

• Knitted Fabric Market , By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE