In 2026, the weaving machine industry (including flat knitting machines/warp knitting machines and industrial weaving machines) as a whole is in a stage of stock renewal, intelligent upgrading, and high-end substitution: China is the world's largest producer and consumer country, with a concentration of computer flat knitting machine oligopolies and intensified price wars for ordinary machines. New energy/medical/shoe uppers have become growth highlights, and domestic production is accelerating the substitution of imports in the mid to high end. However, electronic control, precision parts, and software ecology are still the main shortcomings.
1、 Market size (2026)
1) Global (mainly knitted)
Market size: approximately 5.7 billion US dollars (approximately 40 billion RMB), year-on-year+5.7%
Main categories: Computerized flat knitting machines and warp knitting machines account for over 70%; Industrial weaving machines (cables/hoses/composite materials) worth approximately 4 billion yuan, with a growth rate of 2.8%
Region: China accounts for 45%, Southeast Asia+South Asia accounts for 28%, and Europe and America account for 18% (mainly high-end equipment)
2) China (core market)
Desktop computers: 48500 units shipped (+6.2%), with an output value of 14.23 billion yuan (+9.4%)
Structure: 73% domestic sales (transfer from central and western regions+small order fast response), export of 13100 units, high-end fully formed models account for 38%
Inventory: Approximately 180000 units, with an average OEE of only 72.3%, providing ample room for stock replacement
2、 Competitive landscape (highly differentiated)
1) Desktop computers (oligopoly)
Domestic top three (CR3=59.1%):
Cixing: 29.4%, integrated software and hardware, closed ecology
Precision: 18.2%, open platform, AI process model
Yuren: 11.5%, high cost-effectiveness, sinking market
International giants: Shimadzu (Japan), Stoll (Germany), still account for over 60% in the high-end full molding field, but localization is accelerating (Shimadzu Changshu factory localization rate is 78%)
2) Ordinary flat needle horizontal machine (Red Sea)
Low concentration, intense price war, profit margin * *<8% * *, accelerated clearance of small and medium-sized manufacturers
3) Special weaving machine (high growth)
Shoe uppers, medical, automotive interiors, composite materials: growth rate of 14.2%, domestic market share rises to 55%
Industrial weaving machines (cables/hoses): led by HERZOG, Steeger, etc., domestic substitution accelerates in the mid to low end
3、 Technology and Product Status
1) Intelligent upgrade (main theme)
Fully formed/seamless weaving: no cutting required, saving fabric by over 30%, with a single unit price of over 280000 yuan, accounting for 38% by 2026
CNC+IoT: remote monitoring, predictive maintenance, process cloud storage, OEE increased to 85%+
AI application: automatic pattern design, yarn breakage recognition, parameter optimization, small and medium-sized factory penetration rate * *<20%**
2) Significant structural differentiation
High end (fully formed/high-speed warp knitting): high gross profit (25-35%), import led, domestic breakthrough in progress
Mid end (ordinary flat panel computer): Medium gross profit margin (12-18%), domestic dominance, fierce competition
Low end (semi-automatic/manual): low gross profit margin (<8%), phased out, only in demand in Southeast Asia/Africa
3) Core Shortcomings
Electronic control system: High end still relies on imports (Shimadzin/Stoll), domestic stability and algorithm gap of 2-3 years
Precision parts: spindle, needle bed, sinker, etc. have insufficient lifespan and accuracy
Software ecosystem: pattern library, process model, weak secondary development capability
4、 Downstream demand and drivers
1) Clothing (traditional mainstay, slowing growth rate)
Leisure/sports knitting: steady growth, strong demand for quick response to small orders, forcing equipment flexibility
Sweaters/Underwear: Stock updates are the main focus, and profit margins are under pressure
2) Non clothing (high growth engine)
Shoe upper weaving: The demand for lightweight sports shoes has exploded, with equipment demand expected to increase by 25% by 2026**
Automobile: warp knitted/woven materials for seats, ceilings, and airbags
Medical: Elastic bandages, artificial blood vessels, stent weaving
New energy: high-voltage wire harness, battery separator, carbon fiber preform
3) Policy and cost driven
Dual carbon: Subsidies for energy-saving equipment, priority given to high-speed/low-energy models
Artificial increase: Automatic/seamless equipment replaces manual labor (1 full molding machine replaces 8-12 people)
Industrial transfer: Central and Western regions undertake production capacity, equipment demand * *+15%**
5、 Pain points and challenges
Price war squeezes profits: ordinary computer flatbed machine prices decrease by 40% in 5 years, and the loss area of small and medium-sized factories expands
High end breakthroughs are difficult: high barriers to core technology and large R&D investment (top enterprises invest * * 5% annually+* * revenue)
Talent gap: Shortage of talents in electronic control software, process design, and AI algorithms
Export barriers: European and American technical standards+environmental barriers increase, hindering the export of low-end equipment
6、 2026-2028 Trend Prediction
Further increase in concentration: CR3 rises to 70%+, small and medium-sized factories accelerate clearance
Fully formed into mainstream: By 2028, the proportion will exceed 50%, and the price will gradually drop to within 200000 yuan**
Software defined weaving machine: modularity, open platform, and cloud collaboration have become standard features
Domestic high-end substitution acceleration: breakthroughs in electronic control and precision parts, with domestic high-end accounting for 40% by 2028+
Application continues to expand: New energy, healthcare, and composite materials become the second growth curve