This report is based on research originally conducted by a knitting working group within the Brusselsbased organisation CIRFS (Comité International de la Rayonne et des Fibres Synthétiques). The members of the working group were: Maurizio Cavallini of Montefibre, Italy; Wolfgang Denfeld of Enka, Germany; Walter Helskens of Setila, France; Arnaud Lepeltier of Shell Chemicals, Belgium; Valy Mamad of Fisipe, Portugal; Maria Materna of Elana, Poland; Dr Francesco Prezzavento, a consultant previously with Montefibre, Italy, and currently with Assofibre, Italy; Gerd Saalfrank, Du Pont de Nemours, Germany; Mark Schmitt, Trevira, Germany; Darren Sunderland, Unifi International Europe, UK; and Michael Wayne, DuPontSA, UK. In addition, David Tyler of Manchester Metropolitan University, UK, contributed to Chapter 2 on knitted products and manufacturing technologies. The report was written by David Morris and produced by Deborah Tunney, both of the CIRFS secretariat, and was edited by Fiona Butterworth and Robin Anson at Textiles Intelligence.

World Markets for Knitted Textiles and Apparel: Forecasts to 2010 is the eighth report in a series by CIRFS, published by Textiles Intelligence. The seven previous reports, all of which were written by David Morris and produced by Deborah Tunney of CIRFS, are: World Markets for Spun Yarns: Forecasts to 2010, Special Report No 2649, published in July 2001; Natural and Man-Made Fibres in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan: Forecasts to 2005, published in June 2000; Natural and Man-Made Fibres in Asia: Forecasts to 2005, Special Report No 2647, published in November 1998; World Markets for Nonwovens and Other Non-Spun Products: Forecasts to 2005, Special Report No 2645, published in September 1997; Fibres in Eastern Europe: Forecasts to 2000, Special Report No 2644, published in June 1996; World Markets for Textured Yarns: Forecasts to 2000, Special Report No 2639, published in May 1995; and World Markets for Spun Yarns: Forecasts to 2000, Special Report No 2637, published in May 1994. A new report by CIRFS, World Markets for Woven Textiles and Apparel: Forecasts to 2010, is planned for publication by Textiles Intelligence in autumn 2003.

David Morris is also the author of three other Textiles Intelligence special reports: World Markets for Wool: Forecasts to 2000, Special Report No 2642, published in April 1996; World Markets for Cotton: Forecasts to 2000, Special Report No 2640, published in July 1995; and Household Textiles, Furnishings and Floorcoverings in Europe: Forecasts to 1993, Special Report No 2043, published in July 1990. A new report by David Morris, World Markets for Cotton: Forecasts to 2010, is planned for publication in 2004.