In 2017, of all new circular knitting machines , Asia received the highest share of shipments of 84 per cent, whereas global sales of electronic flat knitting machines soared by 44 per cent.

Global shipments of large circular knitting machines rose slightly by 0.12 percent. With 39 per cent of worldwide deliveries, China was the single largest investor. India and Vietnam rank second and third.

In 2017, worldwide shipments of shuttle-less looms increased by 12 per cent. The main destination of shipments of shuttle-less looms was Asia with 91 per cent of worldwide deliveries, of which 48 per cent were water-jet looms, 31 per cent rapier/projectile looms, and 28 per cent air-jet looms.

In the segment of fabrics continuous, shipments of mercerising-lines, singeing-lines, and stenters increased by 54 per cent, 11 per cent and two per cent. Deliveries in the other sub-segments decreased. In the segment fabrics discontinuous, shipments of air-jet dyeing and overflow dyeing machines increased by 35 per cent and 72 per cent respectively whereas those of jigger dyeing/ beam dyeing machines fell by seven per cent.

Global shipments of single heater draw-texturing spindles decreased by 87 per cent. Shipments of double heater draw-texturing spindles increased by 27 per cent.