Belgium’s Concordia Textiles has added 3D knitting to its manufacturing capabilities with the opening of a new department in Bangladesh, expanding its offering across several sectors including medical, mobility and footwear.

Concordia Textiles, a vertically integrated textile manufacturer founded in 1925, has announced the addition of 3D knitting to its production methods. The company, which operates facilities in Europe and Asia, has established a new 3D knit department at its site in Bangladesh.

3D knitting differs from traditional flat fabric manufacturing by producing multi-layered textiles with a true three-dimensional structure. Using a warp knitting process, the technology combines yarns of different properties into a single fabric. This allows for various performance characteristics such as cushioning, stretch, and breathability to be integrated into specific layers during production.

Concordia’s decision to adopt this method reflects growing demand for more adaptable, technical fabrics across professional sectors. The company sees applications in footwear, transport interiors, medical garments and equipment, as well as outdoor gear such as backpacks.

Applications in footwear, mobility, and healthcare

The benefits of 3D knitting are already being seen in multiple sectors. In footwear, 3D knit uppers offer an alternative to traditional multi-component construction, allowing for lighter and more breathable shoes with fewer seams. For the mobility sector, particularly automotive interiors, the technology supports the production of seat covers that can accommodate complex shapes while offering durability and comfort.

In the medical field, 3D knit fabrics are used in compression garments, support braces and other items that require controlled pressure and breathability. The same properties are useful in products like ergonomic backpacks, where comfort, structure and material efficiency are important.

Beyond performance, 3D knitting also offers advantages in terms of production efficiency and material usage. By reducing the need for multiple fabric layers and assembly steps, the process can help limit textile waste and streamline manufacturing, an area of increasing interest in an industry under pressure to reduce environmental impact.

Image credit: Jakub Zerdzicki – Unsplash