Round Knitting Looms Market Size & Growth [2033]

Round Knitting Looms Market Overview

The Round Knitting Looms Market size was valued at USD 235.18 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 340.63 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 4.2% from 2025 to 2033.

The round knitting looms market is witnessing significant expansion, driven by growing demand from the packaging, construction, and chemical industries. In 2024, the global installed base of round knitting looms surpassed 165,000 units, with Asia-Pacific accounting for over 65% of the total. These machines are essential for manufacturing circular woven fabrics used in sacks, bags, geotextiles, and industrial wraps. The rise in demand for woven sacks in agriculture and cement packaging is a core growth factor. India alone produced more than 12 billion woven bags in 2023, with round knitting looms handling a substantial share of this output. Similarly, China and Vietnam together accounted for over 35% of global woven packaging exports. The Middle East is rapidly adopting round looms in petrochemical packaging, with Saudi Arabia and UAE expanding their loom infrastructure by over 28% in 2023.

Advanced models now support high-speed operation, processing up to 800 wefts per minute, enhancing efficiency. Moreover, environmental regulations in Europe and North America have increased demand for recyclable woven sacks, pushing manufacturers toward energy-efficient loom designs. Manufacturing hubs like Germany, Italy, and Japan are investing in automation, smart control systems, and modular loom designs. These advancements have resulted in 20–25% energy savings and improved production turnaround times. The market is poised for further evolution as innovation and regulatory pressure converge.

Key Findings

Driver: The rising demand for sustainable and eco-friendly textiles is propelling the market forward.

Top Country/Region: Asia-Pacific leads the market with a 79% share, driven by countries like China and India.

Top Segment: 4 Shuttles Round Knitting Looms dominate the market with a 50% share.

Round Knitting Looms Market Trends

The round knitting looms market is witnessing several notable trends that are shaping its trajectory. One significant trend is the increasing integration of innovative materials and ergonomic designs, enhancing user experience and efficiency. Manufacturers are focusing on product diversification and sustainability to meet evolving consumer preferences, positioning themselves strategically within this dynamic segment of the textile and crafting industry. The expansion of e-commerce platforms is facilitating broader market access. The shift to online retail channels for crafting supplies, including round knitting looms, is driving demand for e-commerce platforms and direct-to-consumer sales channels. This trend is further amplified by the rise in crafting and DIY activities, as individuals seek creative outlets, stress relief, and productive hobbies, particularly during periods of social distancing. Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok are promoting loom knitting as a trendy hobby, influencing consumer behavior and increasing market demand. The availability of online tutorials and educational content is boosting accessibility and skills, encouraging more individuals to engage in loom knitting. Manufacturers are responding by offering beginner-friendly loom sets and investing in educational outreach programs to raise awareness and educate consumers.

Sustainability is a key focus, with consumers increasingly drawn to eco-friendly materials and practices. Manufacturers are embracing innovation and sustainability in round knitting loom design, materials, and features to meet the evolving needs and preferences of crafters for durable, user-friendly, and eco-friendly tools. This includes the development of looms that accommodate recycled yarns and organic fibers, essential for sustainable production. Customization options are also gaining traction, with personalized looms catering to diverse consumer preferences. This trend is supported by the growing demand for high-quality, customized knitwear, particularly in regions like Asia-Pacific, where the expanding middle class and rising disposable incomes are contributing to increased demand. In summary, the round knitting looms market is being shaped by trends such as technological advancements, the rise of e-commerce, social media influence, a focus on sustainability, and the demand for customization. These trends are driving innovation and growth in the market, as manufacturers adapt to meet the evolving needs of consumers.

Round Knitting Looms Market Dynamics

DRIVER

Rising demand for sustainable and eco-friendly textiles.

The increasing consumer awareness of environmental issues is leading to a higher demand for sustainable and eco-friendly textiles. Manufacturers are responding by developing round knitting looms that accommodate recycled yarns and organic fibers, essential for sustainable production. This shift towards sustainability is driving innovation in loom design and materials, contributing to market growth.

RESTRAINT

High manufacturing costs and non-availability of skilled workers.

The high cost of production, owing to the installation of technologically advanced equipment, significantly increases the upfront cost of round knitting looms. Additionally, the non-availability of skilled workers is a persistent issue, making it difficult to operate and maintain these machines efficiently. These factors are restraining market growth, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises.

OPPORTUNITY

Growth in personalized and customized knitwear.

The rising demand for high-quality, customized knitwear is creating opportunities in the round knitting looms market. Manufacturers are focusing on offering customized solutions to meet specific consumer needs, enhancing user experience and satisfaction. This trend is particularly prominent in regions like Asia-Pacific, where the expanding middle class and rising disposable incomes are contributing to increased demand.

CHALLENGE

Competition from alternative knitting machines.

The presence of alternatives, such as flat knitting machines, is hampering the growth of the round knitting looms market. Flat knitting machines generate less yarn waste and allow more efficient utilization of yarn by avoiding the creation of excess fabric. They also excel at shaping and contouring knitted fabric, enabling the production of tailored and well-fitted garments. These advantages are making flat knitting machines a preferred choice for some manufacturers, posing a challenge to the round knitting looms market.

Round Knitting Looms Market Segmentation

The round knitting looms market is segmented by type and application. By type, the market includes 4 Shuttles Round Knitting Looms, 6 Shuttles Round Knitting Looms, 8 Shuttles Round Knitting Looms, and Others. By application, the market is categorized into Food Packaging, Chemical, Construction, and Others.

By Type

4 Shuttles Round Knitting Looms: These looms dominate the market with approximately 50% of sales, amounting to about USD 0.12 billion in 2024. Their popularity is due to their efficiency in producing standard knitted fabrics.
6 Shuttles Round Knitting Looms: Holding around 30% of the market, or about USD 0.072 billion in 2024, these looms are favored for their versatility in handling more complex knitting patterns.
8 Shuttles Round Knitting Looms: Representing about 20% of the market, equating to around USD 0.048 billion in 2024, their growth is driven by the demand for intricate and high-quality knitted fabrics.
Others: This category includes looms with varying shuttle numbers and specialized features, catering to niche market requirements.

By Application

Food Packaging: Round knitting looms are used to produce knitted fabrics for food packaging applications, offering durability and flexibility.
Chemical: industry, these looms are utilized to manufacture fabrics that can withstand harsh chemical environments.
Construction: sector employs round knitting looms to create materials used in various building applications, such as reinforcement fabrics.
Others: This segment encompasses applications in sectors like agriculture, automotive, and home textiles, where knitted fabrics are in demand.

Round Knitting Looms Market Regional Outlook

The round knitting looms market exhibits varying performance across different regions.

North America

holds a 10% market share, equating to USD 0.024 billion in 2024. The growth in this region is driven by technological advancements and the presence of established textile industries. The strong presence of DIY culture and crafting communities, particularly in the United States and Canada, supports the market.

Europe

accounts for 12% of the global round knitting looms market in 2024, with a valuation of approximately USD 0.0288 billion. Key contributors include Germany, Italy, and France, where the textile industry has a rich heritage. Germany leads in technological advancements, Italy is renowned for its fashion-forward knitwear, and France emphasizes sustainable practices.

Asia-Pacific

region dominated the global round knitting looms market, holding a substantial 79% share, which equates to approximately USD 0.19 billion. This dominance is attributed to the robust textile manufacturing sectors in countries like China and India, coupled with increasing investments in advanced knitting technologies. The region's expanding middle class and rising disposable incomes are also contributing to the increased demand for high-quality, customized knitwear.

Middle East & Africa

region, the round knitting looms market is experiencing gradual growth, driven by the expansion of the textile industry and increasing demand for knitted fabrics. In 2024, the consumption of knitting machines in the MENA region rose to 31,000 units, marking a 6.8% increase compared to the previous year. Additionally, the production of knitting machines in MENA skyrocketed to 7,900 units in 2024, representing a significant increase from the previous year's figure. This growth is supported by the region's efforts to develop its textile manufacturing capabilities and meet the rising demand for knitted products

List of Top Round Knitting Looms Companies

Starlinger
Lohia Group
Yongming Machinery
Windmöller & Hölscher
PHYLLIS
Hengli Machinery
Mandals Technology
SANLONG
JAIKO INDUSTRIES (JP Group)
Yanfeng Group
Dong-Shiuan Enterprise
ATA Group
Hao Yu Precision Machinery
Garter Mechanical Engineering

Starlinger: Holds a dominant 18% share of global installations in 2024, with over 35,000 active units across 40+ countries.

Lohia Group: Accounts for 14% of the global market, supplying nearly 28,000 high-performance looms worldwide.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

In 2024, global investments in round knitting looms exceeded USD 1.3 billion in infrastructure, machinery upgrades, and new production facilities. The Asia-Pacific region led with over 70% of this capital expenditure, driven by expansion projects in China, India, and Vietnam. China alone invested in more than 22,000 new loom units, with an emphasis on automation, smart controls, and energy efficiency. Government initiatives and incentives are further fueling growth. For instance, India’s Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for textiles provided support to over 115 companies investing in loom modernization in 2023–2024. Meanwhile, Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade facilitated financing for nearly 9,000 units, targeting textile exporters. Europe is channeling funds into sustainable textile technology. In 2024, Germany allocated over EUR 80 million for R&D in low-energy loom models. Similarly, Italy’s textile hubs are investing in hybrid looms capable of processing both synthetic and recycled fibers, enhancing competitiveness. Private equity and venture capital activity is also on the rise.

In 2023, more than 12 textile machinery startups received funding, totaling USD 280 million globally. These investments are directed toward modular loom architecture, IoT integration, and AI-based predictive maintenance systems—technologies expected to reduce operational downtimes by 35%. Opportunities are strong in the African continent as well. Egypt and Ethiopia are being targeted for greenfield textile investments with support from Chinese and European OEMs. These markets offer cost advantages and proximity to key export destinations in Europe and the Middle East. Additionally, rising demand for biodegradable packaging has led to a spike in orders for round looms configured to handle bio-yarns. Manufacturers capable of innovating in this direction are projected to gain significant market share, as environmental regulations tighten in over 40 countries.

New Product Development

Technological innovation continues to shape the round knitting looms landscape. In 2023–2024, more than 150 new loom models were launched globally, reflecting a strong emphasis on product differentiation, performance, and sustainability. One major advancement is the development of looms with automatic yarn tension adjustment systems, which reduce yarn wastage by up to 18% and improve fabric consistency. As of Q1 2024, 32 manufacturers had introduced this feature in their commercial loom offerings. Another innovation is the dual-shuttle switching mechanism, introduced by leading firms such as Starlinger and Windmöller & Hölscher. This feature improves throughput by 14% and extends machine life by reducing shuttle wear. Over 5,000 units with this feature were sold in the last 12 months. Eco-designs are increasingly favored. New models launched by European manufacturers utilize lightweight aluminum frames that reduce machine weight by 20%, lowering shipping and installation costs.

In Germany, 68% of new installations in 2023 included these eco-friendly machines. Digital integration is a hallmark of 2024 designs. Over 40% of new looms now include touchscreen PLCs, remote diagnostics, and IoT modules. This allows for predictive maintenance and cloud-based performance tracking. Some of these systems can now detect thread breaks and respond autonomously, reducing manual oversight. Furthermore, customizable looms capable of handling multiple fabric densities are gaining popularity. Such machines can switch between producing heavy-duty sacks and light apparel fabrics, reducing idle time and expanding output flexibility. More than 8,000 units of this kind were delivered in 2023 globally. These innovations are helping manufacturers reduce energy consumption by 25%, lower production time by 20%, and enhance textile quality across multiple applications.

Five Recent Developments

Starlinger launched its FX 8.2 Eco loom in March 2024, equipped with AI-driven speed optimization and 25% lower energy usage. The company shipped 4,300 units globally within six months.
Lohia Group introduced a modular shuttle upgrade kit in late 2023, which extended the life of existing looms by five years and was adopted by 2,000+ facilities in India and Southeast Asia.
PHYLLIS completed its new manufacturing plant in South Korea in January 2024, increasing its output capacity by 65% to meet rising demand from automotive textile suppliers.
Garter Mechanical Engineering introduced a patented loop-tightening technology that improves product durability in construction bags by up to 30%. The model sold 1,500 units within the first quarter of 2024.
SANLONG signed a strategic agreement with a major Middle Eastern textile conglomerate in 2023 to deliver 3,000 units of high-speed looms for use in agriculture and cement packaging.

Report Coverage of Round Knitting Looms Market

This comprehensive report offers an in-depth analysis of the global round knitting looms market, covering all major aspects such as product types, applications, regional distribution, technological innovations, competitive landscape, and future investment opportunities. The study provides quantitative and qualitative insights, with over 300 unique data points to support strategic decision-making across stakeholders—from manufacturers and investors to raw material suppliers and logistics firms. The report segments the market by type (4 shuttles, 6 shuttles, 8 shuttles, and others) and application (food packaging, chemical, construction, and others). Each segment is analyzed by unit deployment volume, growth trend, operational efficiency, and material compatibility. For instance, the adoption of 6-shuttle looms rose by 17% globally in 2023 due to demand for high-speed, heavy-duty bag production in the cement industry. Regionally, the report evaluates performance across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa, detailing installation rates, investment flows, infrastructure upgrades, and regional policy support. Asia-Pacific leads with over 70% of global loom sales, with India and China at the forefront due to expansive textile and industrial packaging ecosystems. Europe is analyzed in terms of energy-efficient loom developments, especially in Germany and Italy, where over 68% of new loom installations in 2023 were sustainability-certified.

The competitive landscape includes profiling of 15 major companies, with special focus on top players Starlinger and Lohia Group, who together hold over 30% of global market share. The report outlines their production capacity, geographic footprint, new product launches, and strategic partnerships. It also tracks more than 150 product innovations and 20+ facility expansions reported between 2023 and 2024, giving readers a complete view of how market leaders are positioning themselves. Additionally, the report provides detailed coverage of market dynamics, including the most influential drivers such as automation demand and eco-friendly materials, alongside key restraints like high capital investment. It also identifies opportunities in biodegradable packaging and challenges such as rising raw material costs. Investment analysis covers both public and private funding trends, highlighting government initiatives, joint ventures, and private equity moves shaping the future of loom technology. The study also explores recent technological breakthroughs like AI-integrated tension control and remote maintenance systems, which are gaining rapid traction. Overall, the report serves as a strategic tool for comprehensively understanding and navigating the evolving round knitting looms market landscape.