The global wool textile industry is witnessing a historic moment. On June 24, the 23rd 'Knitting & Textile Fair', the 10th Textile Intangible Cultural Heritage Conference, and the 95th International Wool Textile Conference opened simultaneously in Dalang, Dongguan, Guangdong. The unprecedented union of three major events—an international summit, a full-chain industry exhibition, and cultural heritage activities—sends a strong signal that China's wool knitting industry is shifting from manufacturing to intelligent manufacturing.
Data-Driven Industry Foundation
Dalang's wool knitting scale underpins the event's significance. Public data shows that the annual transaction volume of Dalang's entire wool knitting industry chain exceeds 72 billion yuan, with one out of every five sweaters worldwide produced here. As China's first 'Famous Town of Wool Sweaters', Dalang has built a complete ecosystem after over 40 years of development, covering yarn R&D, knitting equipment, garment design, and brand marketing. The town operates 150,000 computerized knitting machines and nearly 10,000 seamless integrated forming machines, with nearly 100% digital coverage of core processes. The cycle from design to shipment has shortened from 7-10 days to 2-3 days, with product quality rate exceeding 99%. These figures indicate that Dalang is not only a 'world factory' in terms of output but also a benchmark for efficiency and quality.
Technology in Action: From AI Models to Functional Yarns
The 'black technology' showcased at the fair reveals specific pathways for industrial upgrading. The launch of the AI sweater large model is a core highlight. Leveraging AI technology, the OPC knitting design agent can automatically generate styles, create pattern designs, and decompose process parameters, significantly shortening R&D cycles and lowering design barriers. A dedicated AI customization experience zone allows visitors to experience '2-hour instant garment-making' service, offering a direct view of end-to-end digital efficiency.
On the upstream material side, functional yarns became a focal point. Local company Nanxi Apparel demonstrated nano-level waterproof, oil-proof, and stain-resistant yarns—soy sauce forms beads and rolls off, rinsing clean with water. They also showcased cooling, heat-shielding, anti-UV, warming, odor-eliminating, and antibacterial yarns. Dalang develops nearly 10,000 new yarn varieties annually and holds two-thirds of China's fancy yarn patents, making it the country's largest wool yarn distribution hub. This means that for buyers, Dalang is not just a production base but also a source of innovation for new materials and functional fabrics.
On the equipment side, new-generation intelligent knitting machines and seamless integrated forming machines were prominently displayed. Leading enterprises like Xinhongfeng have already deployed integrated forming machines and AI design tools on a large scale. This equipment-level digital upgrade directly drives production cycle compression and quality rate improvement, providing strong support for fast-response supply chains for downstream brands.
Ecosystem Reconstruction: From Single Points to Systemic Change
The convergence of three major events reflects Dalang's shift from single-point technological breakthroughs to systemic ecosystem reconstruction. The fair adopted an innovative 'one main venue, six sub-venues, seven enclaves' exhibition layout—the main venue at Dalang Wool Knitting Trade Center plus temporary pavilions, six specialized markets in town as sub-venues, and seven 'Dalang Preferred' enclave halls opening simultaneously, forming a cross-regional exhibition matrix. This 'full-area exhibition' model represents an efficiency revolution for buyers and brands: within a single fair, they can complete the entire chain from yarn selection, equipment inspection, and garment customization to cultural heritage experience.
More noteworthy is the launch of the 'Dalang Wool Valley·Greater Bay Area Wool Textile Business Lounge' project. Positioned as a world-facing comprehensive service platform for the wool textile industry, it is located at the exit of Metro Line 1's Dalang station, a core node for the Songshan Lake-Dalang integrated development zone. Its core building, 'Dalang Eye', is not only an aesthetic landmark but also symbolizes the industry's transformation from 'manufacturing' to 'service plus brand'. The project will serve as a key window for global display, exchange, and commerce, carrying the mission of regional brand globalization.
Cultural Integration: A New Differentiator
The deep integration of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Conference with the knitting fair injects cultural added value into Dalang's wool products. A heritage fashion show fully implemented the concept of 'Dalang design, Dalang production, Dalang presentation'. A top Chinese fashion designer collaborated with local leading enterprises and heritage inheritors to create 36 original knitted garments. The show innovatively used 'Kirin Blue' and 'Auspicious Beast Crimson' as theme colors, presented through three chapters—'Morning Life', 'Urban Commute', and 'Evening Gala'—demonstrating the transformation from heritage inspiration to modern fashion.
In the 'Weave·Core' exhibition area, local company Bolangte's high-precision robotic arms interacted with wool-knitted lion dance heads, complemented by 3D visual voice claw machines, allowing visitors to experience the charm of 'AI + heritage' in a fun way. This attempt to combine traditional cultural elements with smart equipment and digital interaction provides Dalang with a new differentiator in competitive markets—not just functional fabrics and efficient capacity, but also cultural IP and design capability.