Bangladesh's knitwear industry is seeking to move beyond low-cost mass production and capture higher-value global fashion markets through greater use of wool and wool-rich blends, industry leaders and international experts said at a multinational seminar in Dhaka on Sunday.
Speakers at the seminar observed that Bangladesh, already one of the world's leading knitwear exporters, is now strategically positioned to diversify into technologically advanced and premium apparel segments amid rising global demand for sustainable and natural fibres.
They said wool - particularly Australian Merino wool - could play a transformative role in reshaping Bangladesh's apparel sector by enabling manufacturers to produce value-added products for premium international brands and consumers increasingly focused on sustainability and quality.
The seminar, organised jointly by The Woolmark Company and Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), brought together leading textile entrepreneurs, policymakers, diplomats and industry experts to explore opportunities for product diversification, innovation and enhanced global competitiveness in Bangladesh's knitwear sector.
The event focused on expanding the role of wool and wool-rich blends in the country's apparel industry as manufacturers seek to reduce dependence on traditional cotton-based products and strengthen resilience in an increasingly competitive global market.
The seminar was chaired by Mohammad Hatem, President of BKMEA, and addressed by Clinton Pobke and M. Riaz Hamidullah, alongside senior officials of The Woolmark Company and representatives from Bangladesh's textile and apparel sector.
Representatives of The Woolmark Company highlighted shifting global fashion trends, emerging export opportunities and the growing demand for sustainable apparel materials in international markets.
They also stressed the increasing commercial relevance of Australian Merino wool in modern knitwear manufacturing, particularly as global brands accelerate their transition towards environmentally responsible sourcing and premium-quality fabrics.
Industry partners, including Indorama, shared perspectives on yarn innovation, sustainable sourcing practices and evolving developments in the global wool supply chain.
Leading Bangladeshi manufacturers participating in the seminar also presented successful case studies of wool-based knitwear production, demonstrating the sector's growing capability to produce sophisticated and internationally competitive products.
Industry insiders said Bangladesh's shift towards value-added wool products could help the country strengthen export earnings, improve profit margins and reduce vulnerability to price competition in conventional apparel markets.
