Tiruppur, known as the “Knitwear Capital of India”, has earned global recognition for its quality, reliability, and capacity to meet the needs of major fashion brands. This vibrant city in Tamil Nadu has evolved into one of the world’s most significant hubs for knitwear manufacturing, producing everything from basic Tshirts to high-quality, fashion-forward garments for brands around the world. It contributes nearly 90% of India’s total knitwear exports, significantly impacting the local and national economy. Technological advancements have played a significant role in the growth of Tirupur’s textile industry.
The exhibitions are the best way to demonstrate the technology. The 18th edition of Knit-Tech, Asia’s largest knitting technology trade fair, was held from March 06–09, 2026, at HiTech Tirupur Exhibition Centre, Ring Road, Thirumurugan Poondi, Tirupur, India. The show was inaugurated by Dr A. Sakthivel, Chairman, AEPC, and K. M. Subramanian, President, TEA, in the presence of other association members and industry leaders. The welcome address was given by MA Rayappan, Chairman of Knit-Tech 2024.
He said, “I sincerely thank all exhibitors, visitors, speakers, partners, and industry associations whose cooperation and participation made Knit-Tech 2026 a successful and impactful industry gathering. The strong engagement from the industry reflects the growing importance of technology and innovation in strengthening the textile and apparel sector.
Knit-Tech continues to serve as an important platform connecting global knitting technology providers with the vibrant Tiruppur apparel manufacturing ecosystem, enabling the industry to explore the latest machinery, innovations, and production solutions.
The fair was organised by Hi Tech International Trade Fair India (P) Ltd, who have been successfully conducting the show with their dynamic and very practical experience for more than two decades since 1993. Hi-tech International Trade Fair India Pvt. Ltd. is a pioneer globally acclaimed industrial trade fair management and organising company that focuses on the textile industry in India. Hi-Tech International is particularly recognised for its KNIT-TECH series of textile exhibitions in Tiruppur, India.
There were more than 220 exhibitors from across 14 countries, and the total number of stalls was 350. Many foreign companies exhibited their technologies, alongside a large number of Indian exhibitors participating in the show. This year, the exhibition was organised in a gross space of 20,000 square metres, with four well-air-conditioned German structures. According to organisers, 26740 trade visitors attended the four-day expo. It has drawn businesses to the tune of 860 crores.
Four days of technology showcase featuring advanced knitting and garment manufacturing machinery had a strong participation from leading machinery manufacturers. The exhibition showcased a comprehensive range of technologies across the knitted garment manufacturing value chain, including knitting machinery, dyeing and finishing technologies, Compacting and garment processing solutions, CAD/CAM systems, embroidery and printing technologies, sewing and garment manufacturing machinery, textile chemicals and auxiliaries, accessories and allied equipment and many more.
The live machinery demonstrations allowed visitors to experience equipment performance and capabilities. There was high engagement from garment manufacturers, exporters, and industry professionals from the Tiruppur cluster and surrounding regions. More than 90% of exhibitors were satisfied with the visitor response.
A special seminar, Yi – Knit-Tech Learning Conclave, was also organised in collaboration with Young Indians (Yi). The seminar was a valuable knowledge sharing from industry experts and panel discussions, providing insights into the future of textile manufacturing.
KNIT-TECH is one of the top knitting technology sector trade events in India. The 18th editions over a period of 27 years have helped domestic and international knitting equipment manufacturers to connect with the Indian textile industry and cement a lasting relationship in which both vendors and buyers benefit enormously. Uniquely, KNIT-TECH is the biggest ever trade fair exclusively for the knitting industry in the Asian region. It is an excellent platform for knitters in India to learn more about cutting-edge technology.
