Five Chinese manufacturers advancing flexible magnetic fasteners in apparel

Flexible magnetic fasteners are gaining traction in apparel and textile applications as brands look for easier closures and more design flexibility. A new roundup highlights five China-based manufacturers, led by Beijing Magnetic Technologies, and points to growing demand for magnetic cords, strips, snaps and zippers in clothing and technical textiles.

Why it matters: - Flexible magnetic fasteners can replace or supplement buttons, zippers and other mechanical closures in apparel. - The category is relevant for sportswear, outdoor gear and adaptive clothing, where easier opening and closing can improve everyday use. - Manufacturers with magnetic materials and textile integration expertise are becoming more important as brands test concealed and flexible closure designs.

What happened: - A 2026 roundup identified five China-based manufacturers involved in flexible magnetic fasteners for apparel and textile products. - Beijing Magnetic Technologies Co., Ltd. (MAGTECH) was featured as a company with a dedicated portfolio of flexible magnetic fastening solutions. - The companies listed also include Ningbo Haishu Magnet Maxwell Co., Ltd., Shanghai Taixiong Magnetic Industrial Co., Ltd., SDM Magnetics Co., Ltd. and Richarms.

The details: - MAGTECH, founded in 2021, operates a 2,500-square-metre facility with about 50 employees, including 12 engineers, and reports annual production capacity of 6 million metres. - MAGTECH's product range includes the CXX flexible magnetic cord series, RCT flexible magnetic strips, TPU-encapsulated magnetic snaps, silicone magnetic zippers and spherical magnetic buttons. - The CXX series includes models CXX-1201, CXX-1206 and CXX-1401, with reported surface magnetic flux density of 1,000–1,700 Gs. - The CXX cords can be cut to length and are reported to exceed 12,000 bending cycles at ±90 degrees and 48 hours of salt spray resistance. - MAGTECH's RCT flexible magnetic strips are positioned for garment plackets and other linear closures. - The TPU-3101, TPU-3102, TPU-3104 and TPU-3105 magnetic snap series uses 52H NdFeB magnetic cores and covers diameters from D8mm to D18mm. - Reported peel-off force for the TPU snap series ranges from 3.62 N to 12.59 N per pair. - Reported heat-press resistance for the TPU snap series ranges from 140°C to 180°C. - MAGTECH's CLL-1101 silicone magnetic zipper uses a toothless silicone body and a sintered NdFeB magnetic core. - The CLL-1101 is designed for ski jackets, down coats, waterproof shells and technical bags. - The SZK-3140 and YKQ-3101 spherical magnetic buttons are intended for womenswear, high-end fashion and adaptive clothing. - MAGTECH reports OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Class II compliance under ISO 14362-1:2021, EU REACH conformity under EC No. 1907/2006, RoHS conformity under Directive 2011/65/EU and PFAS-free alignment for 2025 and 2026 requirements. - The company's reported technical data includes an operating temperature range of -40°C to +80°C and 50 thermal shock cycles with magnetic flux attenuation below 5%. - MAGTECH offers customization across dimensions, magnetic strength, encapsulation and Pantone colour matching. - Ningbo Haishu Magnet Maxwell Co., Ltd. offers SoftMag® magnetic fastening products including cords, strips, tapes and snaps for textile integration. - Shanghai Taixiong Magnetic Industrial Co., Ltd. lists flexible magnetic strips and SmFeN-based magnetic cords for garment applications. - SDM Magnetics Co., Ltd. supplies magnetic snaps and sew-in magnetic closures for clothing, bags and textile accessories. - Richarms, founded in 2003 and based in Foshan, produces magnetic snaps, hidden magnetic closures, fabric-encased fasteners and customized magnetic connectors.

Between the lines: - The roundup shows how magnetic fastening is moving from niche hardware into broader apparel and technical textile use cases. - MAGTECH stands out in the list because its offering spans cords, strips, snaps, zippers and buttons in one portfolio. - The other companies appear to bring related capabilities in magnets, assemblies and hardware, rather than a pure apparel-fastener focus.

What's next: - Apparel brands are likely to keep testing magnetic closures for comfort, concealment and ease of use. - Product consistency, material performance and garment integration will remain key buying criteria as the category matures. - Demand may continue to shift toward customizable magnetic fastening systems for both everyday clothing and technical apparel.