World Markets for Knitted Textiles and Apparel : Forecasts to 2010 - Textiles Intelligence for the Apparel Industry & Textile Industry
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Knitting: a growth sector

The world produces over 17 mn tons of knitted textiles and apparel - representing one third of the global textile market. Moreover, output is forecast to grow by 25% over the next ten years, reaching more than 21 mn tons.

New fibres open up new markets

Knitted textiles and apparel are used in a wide range of basic apparel items such as T-shirts, underwear and sweaters. But the industry is changing. New markets are emerging as high-tech fibres are used and manufacturing technology becomes more sophisticated. Designers are discovering that knitted goods now offer more scope than ever before, to be used in an increasingly sophisticated range of products.

New technology offers more flexibility, customised products, smaller order sizes

Producers are investing in machinery which offers the latest technological developments in order to become more flexible and make better quality products. Automation has been used in the past to produce large orders at low prices. But today's technological advances are providing producers with the flexibility to offer small bespoke, customised orders tailored to specific customer requirements at competitive prices.

World Markets for Knitted Textiles and Apparel: Forecasts to 2010 examines all these issues and more. In particular, it will provide you with:

  • details of trends in knitting capacity, production, and investments in circular knitting, warp knitting, hosiery knitting, flat knitting, fully fashioned knitting and speciality knitting;
  • a survey of manufacturing costs in major producing countries, including the impact of new and old machinery, developments in automation and technology, and labour costs;
  • a detailed description of the manufacturing technologies employed in the knitting sector, and an assessment of technological changes and the introduction of quick response;
  • details of the effects on productivity of increased automation and the introduction of seamless technology;
  • comparisons between different types of staple fibres and continuous filament yarn, and their suitability for various end uses;
  • assessments of process developments in knitting and downstream marketing, with particular emphasis on apparel, hosiery, home furnishing, automotive and technical textile markets;
  • detailed analyses of the world's key markets, including Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Turkey, Asia, North and South America, Russia and other CIS countries, and Africa;
  • a comprehensive set of predictions and forecasts to 2010.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Executive Summary
Introduction
Relative importance of the global knitting sector
Market growth
Knitted products
Knitted products and manufacturing technologies
Types of knitting manufacturing technologies
Developments in knitting machine technologies
Knitting machinery investments and capacities
Circular knitting
Electronic flat knitting
Hand knitting and semi-automatic flat knitting
Warp knitting
Properties and utilisation of fibres and yarns used in knitting
Man-made staple fibres
Staple fibre (spun) yarns
Filament yarns
Developments in downstream marketing and processing
Apparel
Hosiery
Home furnishings
Automotive
Technical textiles
Costs of production
Ring spinning versus rotor spinning
Components of manufacturing costs
Developed versus developing countries
Global markets for knitted textiles and apparel
Europe
Asia
The Americas
Conclusions and future prospects
Technology
Cooperation and joint product development
Market and production forecasts
 
Chapter 2 Knitted Products and Manufacturing Technologies
Introduction
Types of knitted products
Products and applications
Basic knitting technologies
Knitting type
Loop forming mechanisms and needle types
Stitch type
Needle bed configuration
fabric structure
Circular knitting
Product types and structures
Importance of stitch length
Pattern creation technology
Leading machine producers
Technological improvements and developments
Fully Fashioned (straight bar) knitting
Product types and structures
Pattern creation technology
Finishing
Leading machine producers
Technological improvements and developments
Flat knitting
Pattern creation technology
Product types and structures
Leading machine producers
Technological improvements and developments
Hosiery knitting
Pattern creation technology
Leading machine producers
Technological improvements and developments
Other specialist knitting machines
Sliver knitting machines
Flat machines for hats
Small diameter circular knitting machines
Crochet knitting machines
Warp knitting
Leading machine producers
Technological developments
 
Chapter 3 Knitting Machinery Investments and Capacities
Circular knitting
Global trends in investments and capacities
Asia
Western Europe
Turkey
Americas
Single jersey, double jersey and jacquards
Larger diameter machines
Smaller diameter machines
Flat knitting
Electronic flat knitting machines
Hand knitting machines and semi-automatic flat knitting machines
Trimming machines
Hosiery knitting
Warp knitting
 
Chapter 4 Properties and Utilisation of Fibres and yarns Used in Knitting
Introduction
Suitability of various yarn types for different knitting technologies
Man-made staple fibres
Introduction
Polyester
Acrylic
Cellulosic
Polypropylene
Other fibre types
Staple fibre (spun) yarns
Short staple yarns
Long staple yarns
Filament yarns
Introduction
Polyester
Textured polyester yarn
Polyester variants
Polyamide
Elastane
Cellulosic
 
Chapter 5 Developments in Downstream Marketing and Processing
Apparel
Seamless garment technology
Acrylic apparel
Polyester filament apparel
Apparel containing elastane
Hosiery
Pantyhose and half hose
Socks
Home furnishings
Drapes
Upholstery
Automotive
Technical textiles
 
Chapter 6 Costs of Production
Manufacturing costs in Western Europe
Single jersey and double jersey
Intimate apparel
Comparisons of production costs by country
Developed versus developing countries
Cost comparisons of fabrics made from ring spun, rotor spun and textured yarns
Trends in production costs by country
 
Chapter 7 Markets for Knitted Textiles and Apparel in Europe
Introduction
Europe: mill consumption of yarns for knitting
Western Europe
Turkey
Central and Eastern Europe
Future prospects
Western Europe: mill consumption for knitting by fibre type
Filament yarn
Spun yarn
Forecasts to 2010
Western Europe: production, trade and consumption of knitted fabrics by process
Knitted fabric made from continuous filament yarns
Knitted fabric made from short staple spun yarns
Knitted fabric made from long staple spun yarns
Western Europe: production, trade and consumption of cut and sewn knitted apparel and knitted household products by process
Introduction
Production of cut and sewn knitted apparel
Trade in cut and sewn knitted apparel
Consumption of cut and sewn knitted apparel
Production of knitted household products
Trade in knitted household products
Consumption of knitted household products
Western Europe: production of fully fashioned knitted apparel by process
Production of fully fashioned knitted apparel
Consumption of fully fashioned knitted apparel
Trade in fully fashioned knitted apparel
Western Europe: fibre consumption in knitting by end use
Introduction
Warp, raschel and leaver knitting
Weft knitting
Hand knitting yarn
Forecasts to 2010
Western Europe: competitive factors
Spun yarns versus filament yarns
Natural fibres versus man-made fibres
Knitting versus other end uses
Eastern Europe
Introduction
Mill consumption of yarn for knitting in Poland
Knitted apparel production in Poland
Outlook
Turkey
Introduction
Exports of knitted apparel to the EU
Exports of knitted apparel to the USA
Forecasts to 2010
 
Chapter 8 Markets for Knitted Textiles and Apparel in Russia and Other CIS Countries
Introduction
Russia
Introduction
Knitted fabric production
Knitted apparel production
Outlook
Other CIS countries
Introduction
Knitted apparel production
Hosiery production
Outlook
 
Chapter 9 Markets for Knitted Textiles and Apparel in Asia
China
Introduction
Exports of knitted apparel to the EU
Exports of knitted apparel to the USA
Exports of knitted apparel to Japan
Outlook
Bangladesh
Introduction
Knitted apparel production
Exports of knitted apparel to the EU
Exports of knitted apparel to the USA
Outlook
India
Introduction
Knitted fabric production
Knitted apparel production
Exports of knitted apparel to the EU
Exports of knitted apparel to the USA
Outlook
Pakistan
Introduction
Knitting machinery
Exports of knitted apparel to the EU
Exports of knitted apparel to the USA
Outlook
Japan
Introduction
Knitting machinery
Knitted fabric production
Knitted apparel production
Trade in knitted textiles and apparel
Consumption of knitted apparel
Outlook
South Korea
Introduction
Knitting machinery
Knitted fabric production
Knitted apparel production
Exports of knitted apparel to the EU
Exports of knitted apparel to the USA
Exports of knitted apparel to Japan
Outlook
Taiwan
Introduction
Knitted fabric production
Exports of knitted apparel to the EU
Exports of knitted apparel to the USA
Exports of knitted apparel to Japan
Outlook
Indonesia
Introduction
Knitted fabric production
Knitted apparel production
Exports of knitted apparel to the EU
Exports of knitted apparel to the USA
Exports of knitted apparel to Japan
Outlook
Thailand
Introduction
Knitting machinery
Knitted fabric production
Knitted apparel production
Exports of knitted apparel to the EU
Exports of knitted apparel to the USA
Exports of knitted apparel to Japan
Outlook
Sri Lanka
Introduction
Knitting machinery
Knitted apparel production
Exports of knitted apparel to the EU
Exports of knitted apparel to the USA
Outlook
Other Asian countries
Knitting production
Outlook
 
Chapter 10 Markets for Knitted Textiles and Apparel in the Americas
Brazil
Introduction
Knitting machinery
Knitted apparel production
Trade in knitted apparel
Consumption of knitted apparel
Outlook
Central America
Knitted fabric production
Knitted apparel production
Exports of knitted apparel from six major CBI countries to the USA
Outlook
Mexico
Introduction
Knitted fabric production
Exports of knitted apparel to the USA
Outlook
USA
Introduction
Consumption of filament yarns for knitting
Consumption of spun yarns for knitting
Consumption for knitting by end use and fibre type
Outlook
 
Chapter 11 Markets for Knitted Textiles and Apparel in Africa
Introduction
North Africa: Egypt
Introduction
Exports of knitted apparel to the EU
Exports of knitted apparel to the USA
Outlook
North Africa: Morocco
Introduction
Exports of knitted apparel to the EU
Exports of knitted apparel to the USA
Outlook
North Africa: Tunisia
Introduction
Exports of knitted apparel to the EU
Exports of knitted apparel to the USA
Outlook
Mauritius
Introduction
Exports of knitted apparel to the EU
Exports of knitted apparel to the USA
Outlook
 
Chapter 12 Conclusions and Future Prospects
Dynamics of the knitting market
Global trends in fibre production, mill consumption and final consumption
Global changes in the importance of different fibre types
Consumption of yarns for knitted fabrics in Western Europe
Impact of imports on the knitting industries in Western Europe and the USA
Competitiveness
Technological advances
Market for knitted textiles and apparel to 2010
 
Appendix 1 Glossary
About the Authors
This report is based on research originally conducted by a knitting working group within the Brusselsbased organisation CIRFS (ComitInternational de la Rayonne et des Fibres Synth
tiques). The members of the working group were: Maurizio Cavallini of Montefibre, Italy; Wolfgang Denfeld of Enka, Germany; Walter Helskens of Setila, France; Arnaud Lepeltier of Shell Chemicals, Belgium; Valy Mamad of Fisipe, Portugal; Maria Materna of Elana, Poland; Dr Francesco Prezzavento, a consultant previously with Montefibre, Italy, and currently with Assofibre, Italy; Gerd Saalfrank, Du Pont de Nemours, Germany; Mark Schmitt, Trevira, Germany; Darren Sunderland, Unifi International Europe, UK; and Michael Wayne, DuPontSA, UK. In addition, David Tyler of Manchester Metropolitan University, UK, contributed to Chapter 2 on knitted products and manufacturing technologies. The report was written by David Morris and produced by Deborah Tunney, both of the CIRFS secretariat, and was edited by Fiona Butterworth and Robin Anson at Textiles Intelligence.

World Markets for Knitted Textiles and Apparel: Forecasts to 2010 is the eighth report in a series by CIRFS, published by Textiles Intelligence. The seven previous reports, all of which were written by David Morris and produced by Deborah Tunney of CIRFS, are: World Markets for Spun yarns: Forecasts to 2010, Special Report No 2649, published in July 2001; Natural and Man-Made Fibres in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan: Forecasts to 2005, published in June 2000; Natural and Man-Made Fibres in Asia: Forecasts to 2005, Special Report No 2647, published in November 1998; World Markets for Nonwovens and Other Non-Spun Products: Forecasts to 2005, Special Report No 2645, published in September 1997; Fibres in Eastern Europe: Forecasts to 2000, Special Report No 2644, published in June 1996; World Markets for Textured yarns: Forecasts to 2000, Special Report No 2639, published in May 1995; and World Markets for Spun yarns: Forecasts to 2000, Special Report No 2637, published in May 1994. A new report by CIRFS, World Markets for Woven Textiles and Apparel: Forecasts to 2010, is planned for publication by Textiles Intelligence in autumn 2003.

David Morris is also the author of three other Textiles Intelligence special reports: World Markets for Wool: Forecasts to 2000, Special Report No 2642, published in April 1996; World Markets for Cotton: Forecasts to 2000, Special Report No 2640, published in July 1995; and Household Textiles, Furnishings and Floorcoverings in Europe: Forecasts to 1993, Special Report No 2043, published in July 1990. A new report by David Morris, World Markets for Cotton: Forecasts to 2010, is planned for publication in 2004.

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