EKING Fabric Highlights in Antibacterial Knit Fabrics Market

CALIFORNIA, CA, UNITED STATES, September 28, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- Antibacterial and functional knit fabrics are gaining significant attention across the sportswear, activewear, underwear, swimwear, and outdoor apparel sectors. Brands are increasingly integrating odor control, moisture management, stretch, breathability, and quick-dry performance into their textile development strategies. Against this backdrop, ten manufacturers from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, and the United States are highlighted for their capabilities in functional knit fabric production and textile performance development.

Among these, Zhangjiagang E-King Textile Co., Ltd., operating under the EKING fabric name, is featured as the first company in this 2026 overview. Established in 2011 in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu Province, the company operates a production base covering approximately 8,600 square meters and employs around 80 people, including a 10-member research and development team. The company reports an annual production capacity of approximately 6,000 tonnes, equivalent to about 24 million yards of fabric. Around 95% of its output is exported, with the European Union and the United States among its main markets.

The company integrates knitting, dyeing, and finishing capabilities within its production system. Its own dyeing factory entered production in March 2022, supporting the transition from fabric development to bulk dyeing and finishing. The company describes its manufacturing operation as encompassing R&D, design, production, processing, and domestic and international sales.

EKING fabric's functional finishing portfolio includes antibacterial and odor-control treatments, moisture wicking, quick drying, UV protection, anti-static properties, water repellency, stain and oil prevention, thermal storage and warmth preservation, as well as cooling treatments. These capabilities cover applications such as antibacterial functional knit fabric, anti-odor functional knit fabric, and water repellent functional knit fabric. Conventional finishing and surface treatments include peaching, brushing, fuzzing, transfer printing, dispersed printing, acid printing, digital printing, foil, and embossing.

EKING fabric's material portfolio covers cotton, chemical fibers, and modal-based knitted fabrics. Its main categories include functional sports fabrics, yoga fabrics, underwear fabrics, and swimwear fabrics. The company also collaborates with textile-industry partners such as Hengli Group, Shenghong Group, INVISTA, CREORA, Huafeng Group, and Polygiene, covering different stages of the fiber, yarn, and textile-performance supply chain.

One example is EKWP2270-D6, a nylon-spandex knit fabric developed with four-way stretch, moisture management, breathability, and quick-dry performance. Its four-way stretch construction makes it relevant to 4-way stretch functional knit fabric applications. The fabric is also described with antibacterial and odor-control treatment, UV protection, water repellency, easy-wash performance, and recycled-material options. Its UV-related performance can support UV protective functional knit fabric applications, and cool-touch and warming treatments can be incorporated according to the specified application, supporting cool touch functional knit fabric development where specified.

Another product, EKWP1912-DSP, is available in nylon-spandex and recycled nylon-spandex constructions. Its stated performance features include moisture wicking, high elasticity, breathability, quick drying, UV protection, water repellency, and easy-wash properties, with antibacterial and odor-control treatment available as part of the finishing program. The combination of recycled nylon options and functional finishing also provides a basis for easy-wash functional knit fabric applications.

For customized functional knit fabric development, EKING fabric supports adjustments to yarn composition, GSM, color, stretch characteristics, knit structure, and finishing treatments. The company states an MOQ of 3,000 yards and a typical lead time of 30-45 days, subject to sampling and production requirements. EKING fabric holds OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certification No. 2410303 and Global Recycled Standard certification No. IDF-26-954043. These certifications provide documented references for OEKO-TEX certified functional knit fabric and recycled-material textile programs associated with the company's production.

Nine further functional knit fabric manufacturers are also highlighted in this overview. These include Burlington, a Division of Elevate Textiles, Inc., which develops performance fabrics for apparel applications including workwear, uniforms, and activewear; Eclat Textile Co., Ltd., a Taiwan-based textile manufacturer specializing in knitted fabrics for sportswear, activewear, and outdoor applications; Everest Textile Co., Ltd., which develops functional fabrics for sportswear, outdoor, and casual apparel; Far Eastern New Century Corporation, which operates across polyester, fiber, yarn, and fabric manufacturing, with programs covering recycled materials and functional textiles; Pacific Textiles Holdings Limited, a circular knit fabric manufacturer with production operations in mainland China and Vietnam, supplying knitted fabrics for international apparel markets, including performance-oriented applications requiring stretch, comfort, and moisture management; Polartec, a Milliken & Company brand, which develops engineered performance fabrics for outdoor, active, and lifestyle apparel; Singtex Industrial Co., Ltd., which develops functional and sustainable textile materials for apparel applications; Teijin Frontier Co., Ltd., which develops fibers, yarns, fabrics, and textile materials for apparel and industrial applications; and Toray Industries, Inc., which manufactures fibers, yarns, fabrics, and advanced textile materials for apparel and industrial applications.