The three major global wool textile events—the 23rd 'Fabric Fair', the 10th Textile Intangible Heritage Conference, and the 95th International Wool Textile Conference—opened simultaneously for the first time in Dalang, Guangdong, on June 24. This historic 'three-in-one' convergence deeply integrates an international summit, a full-industry-chain exhibition, and intangible cultural heritage displays, placing Dalang, the 'World Capital of Wool Knitting', at the center of global attention. Data shows that the annual transaction volume of Dalang's wool knitting industry chain has exceeded 72 billion RMB, with one out of every five sweaters worldwide produced here.
Digitalization and Functional Yarns as Core Drivers
The highlight of this year's event is the concentrated display of digital technologies. The organizer launched an AI-based sweater design system that can intelligently generate styles, create pattern designs, and automatically break down process parameters, significantly shortening R&D cycles. Concurrently, a range of 'black tech' products debuted, including waterproof, stain-resistant, and anti-static sweaters, as well as thermostatic and skin-friendly models. At the upstream material end, local companies demonstrated nano-scale waterproof, oil-proof, and stain-resistant yarns, where soy sauce forms beads and rolls off, leaving the fabric clean after a simple water rinse. Other new yarns featured sustained cooling, heat-blocking UV protection, warming, odor elimination, and antibacterial properties. Dalang now develops nearly 10,000 new yarn varieties annually, holds two-thirds of China's fancy yarn patents, and has become the country's largest wool yarn distribution base.
On the equipment side, new-generation intelligent flat knitting machines and seamless integrated forming machines drew crowds. The town has deployed 150,000 computerized flat knitting machines and nearly 10,000 integrated forming devices, achieving full digital coverage of core processes. As a result, the cycle from design to delivery for a sweater has been shortened from 7-10 days to 2-3 days, with the product pass rate exceeding 99%. Additionally, the Dalang Wool Knitting ERP big data system was unveiled, connecting data nodes across order, production, warehousing, logistics, and sales, enabling real-time production tracking, dynamic inventory control, and intelligent business analysis.
Intangible Heritage and Industry Integration Opens New Paths
Another major feature is the deep integration of intangible cultural heritage with modern wool knitting. The event featured an 'Intangible Heritage Coexistence, Knitting the Future' fashion show, where local designers collaborated with leading companies such as Yinxiang Caoyuan, Tongfa, Xinhongfeng, and Lanmei, alongside an inheritor of intangible heritage, to create 36 original knitted garments centered on the Qilin (mythical creature) pattern. The show unfolded through three chapters—'Morning Life', 'Urban Commuting', and 'Evening Gala'—demonstrating the transformation from heritage inspiration to modern fashion. Beyond the runway, ten textile intangible heritage display projects were set up, including interactive installations combining high-precision robotic arms with wool-knitted lion heads, and a 'Colorful Cloud Dragon' made from wool yarn collage, allowing visitors to experience the charm of 'AI + Intangible Heritage' in a fun way.
This integration is not merely a display but has substantive industrial implementation. During the opening ceremony, agreements such as the 'Textile Intangible Heritage Standard and Certification Cooperation' and 'Strategic Cooperation on Textile Intangible Heritage and Wool Product Innovation' were signed, covering cultural preservation, quality improvement, and market connection. This means intangible heritage elements are transforming from cultural symbols into product value-added, providing Dalang's wool industry with a new dimension for differentiated competition.
Global Index Release and 'Dalang Knitting Valley' Project Accelerate Billion-Yuan Goal
A key outcome of the conference was the release of the 'Dalang Wool Knitting Industry Global Index' during the 95th International Wool Textile Conference. This index aims to provide an authoritative industry benchmark and development reference for the global wool sector, enhancing Dalang's voice and pricing power in international markets. Meanwhile, Dalang is accelerating the construction of the 'Dalang Knitting Valley · Greater Bay Area Wool Textile Reception Hall' project. Positioned as a world-facing comprehensive service platform for the wool textile industry, the project is located at the exit of Metro Line 1's Dalang Station, offering excellent location advantages. Its core building, 'Dalang's Eye', is not only an aesthetic landmark but also symbolizes the industry's ambition to go from local to global. The project will serve as the central window for Dalang's wool industry to showcase, communicate, and trade, directly supporting the goal of building a hundred-billion-yuan wool textile cluster.