PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1931952
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1931952
A circular weft knitting machine is a knitting device designed to produce tubular fabrics using weft knitting methods. It functions with needles arranged in a circular pattern, allowing yarn to be knitted into horizontal loops across the fabric. These machines are known for their high-speed output and versatility in fabric structure production.
Circular weft knitting machines are primarily categorized into single and double circular types. A single circular weft knitting machine creates circular knitted fabrics through the weft knitting process. These machines are available in different capacities-small, medium, and high-and incorporate various technologies, including computerized, mechanical, and hybrid knitting systems. They serve a range of industries such as fashion and apparel, automotive, medical textiles, and aerospace.
Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.
Tariffs are affecting the circular weft knitting machine market by raising costs of imported electronic controls, precision needles, servo motors, and machine frames essential for high-speed knitting operations. Textile manufacturers in Asia-Pacific and Europe are most impacted due to reliance on imported high-end machinery components, while emerging markets face higher capital expenditure barriers. These tariffs are slowing machine replacement cycles and new capacity additions in some regions. However, they are also driving local assembly, regional supplier development, and innovation in cost-optimized knitting machine designs tailored to domestic textile producers.
The circular weft knitting machine market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides circular weft knitting machine market statistics, including circular weft knitting machine industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a circular weft knitting machine market share, circular weft knitting machine market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the circular weft knitting machine industry. This circular weft knitting machine market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.
The circular weft knitting machine market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $1.14 billion in 2025 to $1.23 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.1%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of textile and apparel manufacturing, rising demand for knitted fabrics, increasing industrial automation in textile mills, availability of advanced knitting technologies, growth of export-oriented garment production.
The circular weft knitting machine market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $1.69 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing adoption of smart textile manufacturing, rising demand for technical and medical textiles, expansion of sustainable fabric production, growing investments in high-capacity machines, increasing use of digital design integration. Major trends in the forecast period include adoption of computerized knitting controls, increasing demand for high-speed fabric production, expansion of multi-function knitting capabilities, rising use of energy-efficient knitting machines, growing focus on fabric customization.
The increasing textile production is anticipated to drive the growth of the circular weft knitting machine market in the coming years. A textile refers to any material created by interlacing fibers through processes such as weaving, knitting, or felting, primarily used in clothing, furnishings, and industrial applications. The rise in textile production is fueled by growing global demand for affordable and fast fashion, as consumers seek trendy, low-cost apparel that requires rapid, high-volume manufacturing to keep up with constantly changing styles. This growth in textile output increases the need for circular weft knitting machines, which deliver fast, continuous fabric production suited for cost-efficient, large-scale knitwear manufacturing. For instance, in September 2024, according to a report published by the Textile Exchange, a US-based non-profit organization, production of virgin fossil-based synthetic fibers rose from 67 million tons in 2022 to 75 million tons in 2023, with polyester maintaining dominance at 57% of total global fiber output. Therefore, the rise in textile production will support the expansion of the circular weft knitting machine market.
Major companies in the circular weft knitting machine market are focusing on developing advanced solutions such as IoT-enabled control systems to improve efficiency and support data-driven operations. These IoT-enabled systems provide internet connectivity and cloud integration for knitting machines, enabling real-time monitoring, remote assistance, and more efficient spare-parts management. For instance, in May 2025, Mayer & Cie., a Germany-based manufacturer of circular knitting and braiding machines, introduced Control 5.0, making its circular knitting machines IoT-ready. This system securely connects machines to the company's cloud platform, Knitlink, and is offered as an upgrade kit for existing machines, while all new mechanical models include it as standard. It provides two interface options: SmartControl, featuring up to four "SmartKnobs" on the machine legs and mobile device integration for role-based access, and ClassicControl, which centralizes controls on a single touchscreen. The Knitlink platform includes apps for real-time operating data (my.monitoring), remote service support (my.service), and spare-parts lookup, with updates delivered over the air (OTA) to eliminate manual USB updates.
In September 2023, Santoni Shanghai Knitting Machinery Co. Ltd., a China-based knitting machinery manufacturer, acquired Terrot for an undisclosed sum. This acquisition is intended to transform and reinforce Santoni Shanghai's leadership in the circular knitting industry by utilizing Terrot's advanced technical knowledge, broad product range, and extensive global customer base. Terrot is a Germany-based producer of circular weft knitting machines.
Major companies operating in the circular weft knitting machine market are Fujian Hanma Group Co. Ltd, Unitex Co. Ltd., Shima Seiki Mfg Ltd, Pai Lung Machinery Mill Co. Ltd, Santoni S.p.A., Suntech Textile Machinery Co Ltd., Keumyoung Co. Ltd., Jinjiang Hongji Machinery Co Ltd, Quanzhou Baiyuan Machinery Science & Technology Co Ltd, Sintex cz, Mayer & Cie GmbH & Co. KG, Terrot GmbH, Fukuhama, Wellknit, Welltex Co Ltd., Santec Precision Machinery Co Ltd, Trutzschler Group SE, SANTEX Rimar Group, Lisky technology ltd, Fujian Taifan Industrial Co Ltd.
Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the circular weft knitting machine market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the circular weft knitting machine market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa
The countries covered in the circular weft knitting machine market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.
The circular weft knitting machine market consist of sales of rib knitting machines, interlock knitting machines and striper knitting machines. Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.
The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).
The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.
Circular Weft Knitting Machine Market Global Report 2026 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses circular weft knitting machine market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for circular weft knitting machine ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The circular weft knitting machine market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, total addressable market (TAM), market attractiveness score (MAS), competitive landscape, market shares, company scoring matrix, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
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