When most people think of knitwear, they think of clothing. However, modern technologies make it possible to use knitting far more broadly – from complex seamless products to interior, architectural, and technical applications. This idea is at the heart of Latvian company SIA “From Air to Form”, which is developing the only innovative knitting laboratory of its kind in the Baltic States. Although the company has been operating for a relatively short time, it already works with more than ten clients from Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Finland, Germany, and Hungary, with exports accounting for an increasing share of its activities.
The company’s core business focuses on developing new technological solutions, digital product design, materials research, and exploring the potential of modern seamless knitting technologies. In practice, this means helping designers and clothing brands transform ideas and sketches into finished prototypes, develop technological solutions, and prepare knitting machine programmes so that products can later be manufactured on an industrial scale.
“We are interested not so much in the product itself as in how it is created and what possibilities the technology can unlock. Very often, technology itself becomes the main source of competitive advantage,” says Tatjana Miškine, procurator of SIA “From Air to Form”.
Today, many European brands face the challenge that high-quality yarn and attractive design alone are no longer enough. The market is becoming increasingly competitive, while consumers expect not only aesthetics but also functionality, comfort, durability, and new product features. One of the laboratory’s key objectives is therefore to help develop solutions that go beyond conventional approaches to knitwear.
This may involve experimenting with product shape, combining new materials, developing complex seamless constructions, or applying digital design methods that make it possible to model the characteristics of a future product in advance. At the same time, the laboratory fills an important market niche, as large manufacturers typically focus on mass production and are often reluctant to develop small collections or first prototypes for emerging designers and brands.
“From Air to Form” does not position itself as a traditional manufacturing company. The laboratory primarily focuses on research, development, and adapting technologies that can later be used in industrial production. The technological solutions developed by the company allow clients to take already tested products and knitting programmes and use them for manufacturing elsewhere in Europe.
According to the company, new clients are attracted both through professional referrals and recommendations and through active participation in international industry events, which helps build new contacts and develop cooperation in foreign markets.
The company also actively uses support opportunities provided by the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA).
“Thanks to startup support for attracting highly qualified employees, we will be able to achieve our goals much faster,” says Miškine.
Although the company only recently joined the Business Incubation Programme at LIAA’s Jēkabpils representative office, it already sees several opportunities to benefit from the available support instruments.
“We plan to make full use of the opportunities offered by the incubator – including training, services, various events, and the chance to meet entrepreneurs from other industries. These encounters are a valuable source of new ideas and experience from other companies,” emphasises Miškine.
Over the coming years, the company plans to strengthen its presence in international markets, with a particular focus on Scandinavia, where there is traditionally strong demand for innovative, high value-added knitting solutions.
At the same time, the laboratory will continue developing new materials and technologies. One of its development areas is adapting exceptionally lightweight and thermally insulating New Zealand possum yarn for industrial production.
The company emphasises that, in the future, the technological expertise accumulated in the laboratory is intended to be applied beyond the fashion industry. New applications are already being explored in other sectors, alongside cooperation with universities and researchers on the development of new solutions.
The programme is financed under Specific Objective 1.2.1 “Strengthening Research and Innovation Capacities and Introducing Advanced Technologies in Enterprises”, Measure 1.2.1.4 “Support for Improving the Technology Transfer System”, of the European Union Cohesion Policy Programme 2021–2027.
