Performance Knitted Fabrics Market

Performance Knitted Fabrics Market Outlook

The global performance knitted fabrics market is highly influenced by athleisure apparel sales. The market is expected to be valued at approximated US$ 3.8 Billion by 2023 and owing to increasing utilization in sports apparel production, the market is estimated to gain traction at 6.1% growth rate.

Performance knitted fabrics are mostly demanded from sports and recreational activity industry. Owing to functional features of performance fabric, the demand is expected to reach exponential heights.

Additionally, increasing interest towards physical activities of people from all walks of life is going to pivot the utilization. Therefore, over the long-run forecast period, demand growth is set to be observed creating a positive environment for the regional manufacturers.

Report Attributes	Details
Estimated Market Size in 2023	US$ 3.6 Billion
Forecasted Market Value in 2033	US$ 6.5 Billion
Global Market Growth Rate (2023 to 2033)	~6.1% CAGR
North America Market Share (2023)	~25.7%
East Asia Market Growth Rate (2023 to 2033)	~6.6% CAGR
US Market Growth Rate (2023 to 2033)	~5.6% CAGR
US Market Share (2023)	~91.2%
Key Companies Profiled	AGT; Combyte Textile; Contempora Fabrics; EYSAN; Freudenberg Performance Materials; HERMIN TEXTILE

Historic and Future Path for Performance knitted fabrics Market

Due to the performance knitted fabric’s improved breathability and durability, demand for knit materials has surged in the apparel industry. The market for protective clothing has seen tremendous growth in lightweight knitted textile. The clothing made of elastane materials are highly demanded in athleisure apparel production. Similar to this, the sportswear industry has seen significant demand for performance knitted fabrics due to their great compression, chlorine resistance, and moisture management properties.

Growth Factors for Short Term (2023 to 2026): The most basic and important feature of a performance knitted fabric is its comfort fit, durability and breathability. Also owing to the technical functionality aspect of the fabric, the market is expected to boom in the short term forecast period.

Factors for Medium-Term Growth (2026 to 2029): Athleisure wear designed with premium performance fabric serves as both formal as well as casual wear. Post-pandemic, the storm of athleisure has disrupted the regular fabric market. Performance knitted fabrics make athleisure suitable for everything from office meeting to casual meetings to daywear and nightwear.

Long Term Growth Opportunities (2029 to 2033): Though increasing awareness of the eco-friendly & technical fabrics has already captured a significant share of the fabric market, but escalating raw material prices, uncertainty in the geopolitical situation, the market growth might slow down.

According to Fact.MR, the global market research and competitive market intelligence provider, the global performance knitted fabric market grew at an annual rate of 2.8% from 2018 - 2022

Market share analysis of performance knitted fabrics based on application and region is provided in a nutshell in the above image. Under the application segment, the utilization of fabrics dominate for the production of top wear apparel with a 53.4% market share in 2023.

“Fabrics that are highly comfortable and long lasting are more attractive to the consumer “

The growth of the performance apparel industry is attributed to the shift in the lifestyle of the majority of people in the contemporary era. Active sports such as athletics, ballooning, aerobics, hiking, windsurfing, running, swimming, cycling, mountaineering, snowboarding, sailing, parachuting, and skiing are preferred nowadays over any other recreational activity. Owing to the rigorous body movement involved in these activities, the clothing used in these activities should be extremely comfortable as well as long lasting.

The elastane present in the fabric realigns to the previous shape after being allowed to relax. The elasticity feature of the elastane in performance fabrics increases the life span of the fabric. Products with performance fabrics are now being categorized into the athleisure segment, which provides style and comfort to the consumer. In light of these features, the market consumption of performance knit wear is expected to rise in the forecast period.

“Dri-FIT technology has attracted sport wear manufacturers”

Dri-FIT technology is not that new for apparel manufacturers. Dri-FIT is the brand name originally used by Nike to launch its innovative sport apparel range. Technically, Dri-FIT fabric consists of microfiber polyester knitted together to offer properties such as sweat control, odor control, and body mapping to keep cool throughout the physical activity. Dri-FIT fabric is constructed with advanced sweat wicking capabilities, allowing polyester microfiber to repel moisture through minute microfiber gaps, leaving the skin cool and dry during intense workouts.

The biggest advantage of Dri-FIT fabric is its light weight and durability. Apparel made of Dri-FIT fabric is the perfect choice for those living an active lifestyle. Additionally, post-pandemic, the demand for Dri-FIT apparel has exponentially increased owing to the awareness of the benefits of an active lifestyle.

“Increased raw material prices due to high inflation rate”

The availability and pricing of raw materials determines the overall profitability of the production process. Rising geopolitical volatility has led to increased crude oil prices, directly affecting many production business. An upward pricing pressure has been observed in almost every sector, indicating a high inflation rate. The prices of base materials such as polyester, spandex, and nylon have increased significantly, doubling in less than a year’s time from 2021 to 2022.

Additionally, the increased fuel prices have disrupted the supply chain network. This is restricting the growth of performance knitted fabric in the consumer market. Though there is a lot of demand from the sport industry, increasing pricing can significantly affect the purchasing decisions of local consumers.

Country-wise Insights

US Demand for Performance Knitted Fabrics to Increase in Future?

Over the forecast period, the United States performance knitted fabrics market is expected to grow at 5.6%.

Performance knitted fabrics are widely used in athleisure apparel production, while technological advancement in fabrics has allowed many manufacturers to use them in protective wear production. Enhanced features such as flame retardancy, comfort, and extraordinary wash-fastness ensure the best performance and durability of the fabrics. In US the fabric has been extensively used for the manufacturing of sports apparel and protective clothing.

What has been France doing in the global market for performance knitted fabrics?

Owing to the surge in recreational activities, performance knitted fabrics are now being extensively used in apparel used in activities such as mountain climbing and camping, protective gear, etc. Various technical features suited to these new applications are being developed by manufacturers of performance knitted fabrics. Europe also known as fashion hub holds a substantial share in the consumption of performance knitted fabrics in the global market.

France has captured approx. 31.1% market share in European performance knitted fabrics market and the growth rate is expected to be 7.6% during the forecast period.

Category-wise Insights

Performance knitted fabrics pre-dominantly to be utilized for the top wear apparel production?

The projected consumption of performance knitted fabrics is mostly by the top wear apparel manufacturers. It is projected to hold more than 55.8% of the total market share at the end of the forecast period, owing to increasing demand from sports industry. The apparel made of performance knitted fabrics can be considered under formal as well casual category of clothing.

The fabrics made of organic sources that exhibit same comfort, durability and technical features but also they do not cause any harm to environment. Manufactures producing sustainable goals are able to limit the carbon emission.

Bottom wear apparel production to complement the sales of performance knitted fabrics?

Production of athleisure apparel using performance knitted fabrics is contributing towards of overall growth of the market. Athleisure apparel consists top-wear & bottom wear combination providing comfort as well as the style to the end user. Also, the elastane present in the fabrics imparts body mapping the increases the life for the garment. Thus the market of bottom wear is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.1%

The total market of bottom wear of performance knitted fabrics is expected to be valued at US$ 1,381.0 Mn in 2023.

Market Players’ Key Strategies

Prominent performance knitted fabrics manufacturers are AGT, Combyte Textile, Contempora Fabrics, EYSAN, Freudenberg Performance Materials, HERMIN TEXTILE, SUN DREAM ENTERPRISE CO. LTD. (SPORTINGTEX), U-Long High-Tech Textile Co., Ltd., NTX Technologies, WING YUE Textile Company Limited, Huasheng and Other Players.

Setting up & expanding production and manufacturing facilities across high-potential regions and investing in research and development remains the top strategy for market players in the performance knitted fabrics market.

Fact.MR has provided detailed information about the price points of key manufacturers of performance knitted fabrics positioned across regions, sales growth, production capacity, and speculative technological expansion, in the recently published report.

Segmentation of Performance knitted fabrics Industry Research

• By Application:

  • Top wear
    • T-Shirts & Tops
    • Hoodies & Sweatshirts
    • Jackets
    • Vest & Stringers
    • Bras
    • Others
  • Bottom wear
    • Track pants
    • Shorts
    • Tights
    • Underwear
    • Socks
  • Others (cycling apparel, swimwear)

• B Region:

  • North America
  • Latin America
  • Europe
  • East Asia
  • South Asia & Oceania
  • MEA