Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures projects

This project contributed to developing New Zealand-based textile manufacturing as part of the strong wool value chain. Advanced robotic knitting technology was tested and used to successfully prototype a range of new knitwear using mid-micron New Zealand sourced wool. The project developed the end-to-end operational requirements for the technology from yarn selection, through machine operation and quality assurance.

ACRUX Wool Systems

This project accelerated the establishment of a viable, sustainable, and innovative New Zealand Cashmere fibre industry which benefits farmers and the textile industry. On farm work has demonstrated a diversification option for farmers, providing breeding guidelines and NZ Cashmere Grower handbook. Fibre and market analysis workstreams have enabled the New Zealand textile industry to access the global textile and fashion market, fostering long-term security and investor confidence.

New Zealand Cashmere website

This project set out to create a new product category utilising a novel 3D knitting technology, with strong wool as material to deliver an interior acoustic panel product that is more sustainable (zero waste and circular). Autex worked with Sarah Coxhead, as part of her master's degree, to develop a proof of concept prototype. This research and development work is ongoing, and has informed further product development.

This project successfully designed, tested and developed a range of hot tub, sauna and spa cover products made from sustainable New Zealand grown sources. This includes native timber and wool insulation. These products are now ready for market.

Outdoor Gravity using wool hemp fibres to make hot tubs more sustainable – RNZ

The project tested the mechanical properties of the Naturesclip wool material. Alongside this they manufactured sample prototypes and completed research on the Woolkin customer base to identify potential new products and applications.

This project successfully accelerated development of a world-first fire resistant, acoustic wall panel for commercial interiors made entirely from New Zealand strong wool. Now available for sale, the panel offers an environmentally friendly alternative to existing products made from synthetic materials.

Acoustic wool panels the latest innovation for New Zealand strong wool – Beehive

This project involved refurbishing the physical assets and digital course material of Campaign for Wool New Zealand Trust’s highly successful Wool In Schools educational programme, focused at primary level students. This programme allows the Trust to connect with and teach the current and next generation of wool consumers about the qualities of wool.

About the Wool in Schools initiative – The Campaign Wool

New-look wool marketing seeks partners – Farmers Weekly

Digitalising Wool: Campaign for Wool's bold plan to engage the next generation of Kiwi farmers – Rural Exchange

This project successfully developed a prototype strong wool-based adhesive bandage that is 100% biodegradable. The bandage will protect wounds from friction, bacteria, additional damage and dirt, and will be free from petroleum-based products. NewCul received additioNewCulnal SFF Futures funding for Phase 2 of the project, which will work on refining the prototype.

This project enabled an efficient and successful transition from the Strong Wool Action Group (SWAG) to Wool Impact, the industry service delivery body for strong wool. Wool Impact launched on 1 July 2022. Wool Impact aims to create new demand for New Zealand strong wool brands, products and services that meet sustainability driven consumer needs.

This project undertook work to deliver a roadmap for the strong wool industry, including identifying new commercial strong wool opportunities. It recommended an enduring business model for the sector.

Woolchemy has developed the world’s first wool-based sustainable materials for personal care products, including nappies. The outcomes from nappy trials conducted by several nappy manufacturers during the project proved that Woolchemy’s versatile proprietary materials: provide superior performance compared to equivalent synthetic materials; radically improve the environmental impact of hygiene products; and can be produced at scale via existing manufacturing technology. 

Video: About Woolchemy and nappies (3.37)

This project will design and develop machine knitted acoustic textile products from strong wool for high-end commercial and residential interiors. It will work across the wool value chain including wool grower, design, prototyping and manufacturing, with the goal of supporting the New Zealand strong wool fibre industry.

Wool Impact is being set up as an industry service delivery body that seeks to reset the strong wool ecosystem. It will act as a connector and a catalyst to create new demand for New Zealand strong wool to meet the needs of consumers. It will also support the wool ecosystem with core services to help the sector become market fit and responsive to market-led growth and sustainability. 

Government backs action to drive strong wool growth – Beehive

Working in collaboration with leading architects and designers, this project aims to develop a sustainable strong wool carpet tile that will meet both New Zealand and international building standards and environmental credentials. It aims to provide a natural alternative to the commercial building sector, which relies predominantly on nylon and polyester fibres.

This project will refine the strong wool-based bandage prototype to make it suitable for manufacturing in a scaled-up environment. It will conduct further consumer trials, testing and market research.

In a previous SFF Futures project, Woolchemy worked with overseas nappy manufacturers to see if neweFlex, their sustainable wool material developed for personal care products, could be produced at scale using existing manufacturing technology. This new project will work on optimising manufacturing of neweFlex wool material to the desired thickness required by nappy producers and subsequent commercial testing. Woolchemy will also develop a pilot plant for washable absorbent wool textiles to enable scaled-up consumer trials and determine commercial viability.

This project seeks to innovate traditional wool knops to increase the ingredient’s market potential. Woollen buds or knops are wool fibres that have been processed to form small, light, fluffy balls. When used in large quantities as a filler ingredient (such as in woollen mattresses), these knops increase the bounce-back and compression resilience of the fibre.

Wool project aims to put money back in farmers’ pockets – MPI media release

This project builds on over 10 years of market-led research into finding new, high-value uses for strong wool. It aims to take lab-scale products that have been developed through to pilot-scale production, while engaging with potential markets and customers to take the products to market.

Media release: WRONZ launches Wool Source – WoolResearch 

This project is supporting the research and development of natural and green chemistry-based alternatives to the few remaining synthetic components used in woollen carpets. It aims to spur demand for New Zealand strong wool and enhance our manufacturing competitiveness with high-value wool products that are better for the planet.

Backing sustainable wool carpets to create a compelling yarn for NZ’s strong wool sector – Beehive

This project seeks to develop a prototype for a composite board made from New Zealand strong wool and recycled plastics. It aims to increase sustainable options for the New Zealand building industry, and ultimately increase returns for strong wool growers.