Wool innovations

Fancy paddling a kayak made of wool? Or wearing a dab of wool lipstick? My research into alternative uses of wool has revealed some very innovative uses of this natural fibre, usually associated with clothing and carpets.

I hadn’t given much thought to wool until a couple of years ago. On a rather rough ferry ride to the Isle of Muck, via Eigg, I got chatting to a couple of men from Stranraer who were on their way to Eigg to discuss renewable energy battery storage solutions. Thankful for the distraction from the waves, chat turned to the price of wool. They said that it cost roughly £1.30 to shear a sheep, but the farmer only received about 80p per fleece. This had lead to dissatisfaction with British Wool, who were perceived not to have been very effective in their marketing of the stuff.

This got me thinking, “Is it really all doom and gloom for wool?” Or are we on the verge of a rennaissance? My top level desktop, non-academic, non-agricultural findings suggest that instead of decline, there is a lot going on, and it’s not all woolly jumpers.

Innovation in action

Wool is a natural renewable resource which is biodegradable, breathable, durable, water repellent, fire retardant, thermo regulating and odour resistant to name just a few of its beneficial properties.

Innovation is now being encouraged and recognised by the Innovation in Wool Awards to change the perception of wool and its uses.

I’ve listed some current examples* of innovation in action. I purposely stayed away from clothing, home furnishings, bedding and carpets to highlight uses that might not come easily to mind.

Horticulture

Wool composts are being developed. This example from from Dalefoot Composts is made from wool and bracken, using wool that would have gone to waste and chopped up bracken helping to manage its growth to stop it taking over the landscape.

Improving grape production in UK vinyards. Developed by Welsh Farmer Gareth Wyn Jones and first trialled at Gwinllan Conwy vineyards. The wool reflects the sun upwards to help mature the grapes, acts as a weed suppressant, slug and snail repellant, and nourishes the soil as it biodegrades.

Wool Pots are knitted 100% wool pots which are biodegradable, environmentally friendly and sustainable alternative to plastic plant pots.

WoolSHrED has developed a number of garden products made from their own flock of Southdown sheep, including using dark wools as soil conditioners, basket liners, weed suppressants as well as a number of craft uses.

Twool has developed wool netting for garden and marine uses, as well wool twines and gardening rope.

Woodland, peatland and countryside management

Tree shelters made by NexGen from wool and a bio resin made from cashew nut shells as a biodegradable alternative to the plastic ones littering the countryside.

Peatland management: Wool logs by Natural Dales Wool Products made from local Swaledale wool are being used in the Yorkshire Dales to protect acres of peatlands from being eroded after heavy rain. Report by the BBC 27/03/2023.

Sheep fleece has also been used as a geotextile alternative for path building and repair. Recent examples have been reported on the Isle of Skye by The Herald 6/03/2022, in the Lake District by Fix the Fells, 14/11/2022 and a path repair on boggy ground using wool by Ascent Project, in the Mourne Mountains in Northern Ireland 5/10/2020. Welsh wool research project Made in Wool led by Menter Mon has also published a Floating Wool Path Guide.

Rope

Wool rope from Sustainable Rope Ltd was developed by Kate Drury, who is also researching its use in aquaculture as a sustainable solution to plastic to help kelp restoration and commercial seaweed farming.

Wool rope has also been developed for dog leads by shepherdess Alison O’Neill from her own flock under her Shepherdess brand.

Fibreglass replacer

Solid wool chairs, each made from an entire Herdwick fleece mixed with bio resin from Solidwool. The wool fibres remain visible giving the chair an interesting aesthetic.

Kayaks made with 30% wool by Shear Edge from woollen composites made with bio plastics to make them lighter, stiffer and recyclable. (Business now sold July 2023, NZ Herald reports)

Surfboards using wool as a fibre glass replacement from New Zealand company Barron Surfboards.

Packaging

Insulated packaging from Woolcool and Puffin make use of the thermo regulating properties of wool to ensure that fresh or frozen food and pharmaceuticals arrive in perfect condition.

Wool bubble wrap and packaging from Estonian company Woola. Article about the bubble wrap from Estonian World.

Insulation: thermal and accoustic

Thermafleece also makes use of the thermal and acoustic properties of wool with its insulation products for use in building construction.

The Woolly Shepherd is another company taking advantage of wool’s natural acoustic properties with its sound absorbing products.

Chimney Sheep has developed a felted product from local Herdwick sheep to block draughts, while still allowing chimneys to breathe naturally.

Construction

The development of wool cement is opening up all sorts of possibilities for construction. Magnesium phosphate cement is an emerging type of cement with a lot going for it, and because it is pH neutral, it is compatible with wool. Full report by researchers at Universitat de Barcelona is open access.

3D printing uses felting technique to build up layers of wool. It works particularly well with coarse wools. Developed by Dutch designer Christien Meindertsma.

Cosmetics and healthcare

From lipstick to printing, Wool Source has deconstructed wool fibres to become raw materials which become particles, powders and pigments for the personal care, health care, printing and coatings sectors. Recent example is Karen Murrell wool source pigment lipstick.

Kiri10 keratin dietary supplements for hair, skin and nails.

Sticking plasters made from Merino wool from WoolAid are breathable and biodegradable.

Absorbent materials for the personal hygiene industry have been developed by New Zealand Company Woolchemy.

Medical

Research indicates wool’s positive contribution to wound healing. Wool is steadily establishing a niche in the field of wound healing. Some of its efficacy is likely due to its very high biocompatibility and its ability to remove iron from wounds. Iron slows the healing of chronic wounds by producing free radicals and skin-damaging metalloproteases. According to the latest research led by Alessia Patrucco at STIIMA-CNR, films made from dissolved wool could absorb 85% of the iron present in chronic wounds and thereby assist healing.

New research suggesting wool keratin could influence how the body responds to insulin. The unique amino acid composition of keratin could be used to increase insulin sensitivity in people with diabetes. Still currently a prototype requiring further research.

Funerals

Coffins from The Woollen Cwtch Company are made from local Suffolk Mule wool and willow.

Sport

Circular tennis balls from Renewaball made by collecting used tennis balls, reusing the rubber, stripping off the nylon and polyester and using 100% felted British Wool.

Saddle flocking: while not a new innovation, I’ve listed it here so that its use is not forgotten. Horse saddles are filled with sheep fleece to add cushioning and comfort for both horse and rider. Zwarbles, Texel and Jacob producing firm, medium and soft cushioning according to wool wholesalers Benridge Woolworks.

It is clear there’s a lot being explored and developed. I hope that a holistic approach is taken so that everyone and everything in the chain: from the land, sheep, farmers, innovators, artisans and producers to the consumer, stands to benefit from this natural resource.

* links are not endorsements