The global wool textile industry focused on Dalang on June 24. On that day, the 23rd Knitting Fair, the 10th Textile Intangible Cultural Heritage Conference, and the 95th International Wool Textile Conference were held simultaneously for the first time, marking a historic milestone for both Dalang and China's wool textile sector.
Dalang's industrial data speaks for itself. The annual turnover of the entire industry chain exceeds 72 billion yuan, and one out of every five sweaters worldwide originates from this 'China's Wool Sweater Town.' Over four decades, it has built a complete ecosystem from yarn R&D and machinery manufacturing to garment design and brand marketing, developing nearly 10,000 new yarn varieties annually and holding two-thirds of China's fancy yarn patents, making it the country's largest wool yarn distribution hub.
The Synergy of Three Major Events
The integration of an international summit, a full-industry-chain exhibition, and intangible cultural heritage activities is not a simple combination. The International Wool Textile Conference released global indices, providing authoritative industry benchmarks. The Knitting Fair focused on 'Knitting Aesthetics · Smart Leading Fashion,' showcasing premium products across the entire chain. The Intangible Cultural Heritage Conference explored living heritage and industrial transformation, adding cultural depth to Dalang. The combined effect attracted over 30,000 visitors and brought together information, technology, and capital flows.
For buyers, this means accessing global trends, latest products, and supply chain resources in one visit, significantly improving decision-making efficiency. For local factories, engaging with international organizations and leading brands on the same platform directly raises the urgency for technological iteration and brand upgrading.
Digitalization and New Materials: From Exhibition to Production
The most eye-catching innovations at the exhibition were not concepts but products already in mass production. Nanshi Clothing demonstrated nano-level waterproof, stain-resistant, and anti-static yarns, where soy sauce formed beads and rolled off, rinsing clean with water. Other new yarns included continuous cooling, heat-blocking, UV-resistant, warming, and antibacterial types. These functional products are ready for bulk supply.
On the equipment side, leading companies like Xinhongfeng have widely adopted integrated molding machines and AI design tools. The town has 150,000 computerized flat knitting machines and nearly 10,000 integrated molding machines, achieving full digitalization of core processes. The results are tangible: the design-to-delivery cycle for a sweater has shortened from 7-10 days to 2-3 days, and the product pass rate has increased to over 99%. This enhances factories' ability to handle small-batch, multi-variety orders, optimizing inventory risk and response speed for brands and buyers.
The launch of the AI sweater large model has significantly lowered the design threshold. The OPC wool knitting design agent enables intelligent style generation, pattern creative design, and automatic process parameter decomposition. A special AI customization experience area allowed visitors to experience '2-hour rapid garment making,' backed by Dalang's ERP big data system for real-time management of orders, production, warehousing, and logistics.
The Symbiosis of Intangible Heritage and Intelligent Manufacturing
Intangible heritage elements were not mere decorations but were embedded in the core narrative of industrial upgrading. China's top ten fashion designer Wang Dong partnered with local leaders like Yinxiangcaoyuan, Tongfa, Xinhongfeng, and Lanmei, along with intangible heritage inheritor Wan Gongxue, to create 36 original knitted garments featuring the unicorn pattern. The show presented the transformation from intangible heritage inspiration to modern fashion through three chapters: 'Morning Life,' 'Urban Commute,' and 'Evening Gala.'
Notably, in the ten intangible heritage exhibition projects, Borun Technology's high-precision robotic arms interacted with wool-knitted lion heads, combined with 3D vision voice-controlled claw machines, making 'AI + intangible heritage' a tangible experience. The 'Colorful Auspicious Cloud Dragon,' made from Dongguan dragon dance intangible heritage skeletons and Dalang's characteristic wool yarn, vividly illustrated the symbiosis of local culture and industrial craftsmanship. For brands, systematic integration of intangible heritage elements provides a differentiated cultural premium, crucial in the highly competitive wool knitting market.
The Next Step: From 'Dalang Knitting Valley' to a Global Living Room
At the opening ceremony, multiple agreements were signed, covering cultural heritage, quality improvement, market connection, and spatial expansion. These actions point to a clear goal: driving the industry toward high-end, branded, and intensive upgrading.
Dalang is advancing the 'Dalang Knitting Valley · Greater Bay Area Wool Spinning Living Room' project, positioned as a comprehensive service platform for the global wool textile industry. Located at the exit of Metro Line 1's Dalang Station, the project's highlight, 'Dalang's Eye,' serves as both an architectural landmark and a symbol of the region's global development mission. From 'World's Wool Knitting Capital' to 'Greater Bay Area Wool Spinning Living Room,' Dalang's ambition extends beyond manufacturing scale to becoming an irreplaceable hub in the global wool textile value chain.