2020 - International Wool Textile Organisation

The Use of Wool Insulating Packing Material for Pharmaceuticals

Credit: WoolCool Due to the nature of pharmaceutical products, shipments need to be packed securely and at the optimum temperature for safe delivery. This means that any packaging material needs to be a dependable insulator. We’ve all learned how one of the vaccines against Covid-19 needs to be stored at -70/-80 degrees Celsius. Even for the ones that require more moderate refrigeration, packaging material will be crucial in Covid-19 vaccine roll-out. Wool is becoming a more popular choice for packaging material due to its wealth of environmental benefits. IWTO explores why wool is fundamental for sustainable packaging material. Why Insulating Wool is the Ideal Choice for Pharmaceutical Packaging Below are some of the reasons why wool is the perfect packing material for medical shipments. To explore further the benefits of wool, you can visit the IWTO blog page. Wool Has the Ability for High Performance Temperature Control

By IWTO|2022-10-27T09:38:57+02:00December 1st, 2020|Blog, News|Comments Off

Covid Transforms Europe’s Trade Shows

Covid-19 transformed Europe's trade shows. After an upbeat start in January, by mid-year they were either fully digital or hybrid. Here, fabric & yarns expert Janet Prescott shares her insights into the wool trade in this most unexpected of years. A Digital Transformation for European Trade From Pitti Connect to Première Vision, Milano Unica and Filo, efforts to stage exhibitions during the pandemic, whether completely digital or hybrid, forced full-speed acceleration of e-commerce. Sometimes barely profitable due to reduced footfall, they worked. Online visits to virtual showrooms led to contacts and real sampling enlivened by new designs. Growing usage of social media for information and contact down the supply-chain proved game-changing. Wool made its presence felt throughout as a sustainable and technical fibre. The Woolmark Company, participating at Pitti Uomo, joined the first video of Pitti Connect Conversation in its capacity as technical partner to ultrachic Luna Rossa yachting.

By Jeannette Cook|2024-01-25T14:27:55+01:00November 12th, 2020|Blog, News|Comments Off

Increase the Life of Your Wool Textiles: 5 Ways to Care for Wool

Whether you are partial to wearing woollen clothing or you can’t get enough of the luxurious feel of bedding made of wool, it can be good to learn how to care for this soft and sustainable material. When it comes to caring for wool, many people do not know the best practices for keeping it in good condition and for ensuring its longevity. Fortunately, caring for wool is relatively simple once you know what to do and what not to do. How to Increase the Lifespan of Wool Whether you’ve got a knitted wool sweater, a wool coat or a pair of woven trousers, by following these 5 tips for wool care, you will ensure your woollen items look better and last longer. The most important thing to remember is that wool naturally resists odours and stains, and that the wool fibre is resilient: it will hold its shape

By IWTO|2023-08-29T10:03:10+02:00November 9th, 2020|Blog, News|Comments Off

Cotton-Based Substitute for Plastic Wins Award

A cotton-based substitute for plastic wins natural fibres award IWTO congratulates Dr. Noureddine Abidi, Professor and Director, Fiber and Biopolymer Research Institute, at Texas Tech University, for winning the 2020 Discover Natural Fibre Innovation Award. The Discover Natural Fibres Initiative - DNFI - announced the winner of the annual award today, 30 Ocotber. In his winning submission, Dr Abidi created a process which transforms low-quality cotton fibre into a gel that can be turned into bioproducts, including bio-plastic films. The process that uses a plant-based substitute is an inexpensive alternative to petroleum-based plastics. Moreover, the cotton-based bio-plastic is biodegradable in soil, yet stable in household conditions. Products made from this bio-plastic film would have properties similar to those of plastics currently in common use – but with several environmental benefits. Cotton-based innovation shows how natural fibres offer eco-friendly options to petroleum-based synthetics Commerical options for the cotton-gel/bio-plastic process include

By Jeannette Cook|2020-10-30T21:50:38+01:00October 30th, 2020|Blog, News|Comments Off

The Benefits of Using Wool for Natural Insulation in Buildings

Homes need insulation to provide adequate noise absorption, to control heat levels and make a building more comfortable. Of the many insulation materials on the market, wool stands out as the ideal natural option for sustainable building insulation. Here, IWTO explains why. Furthermore, a sustainable insulation material like wool is a key component of eco-friendly buildings, with growing environmental trends meaning every building is aiming towards becoming more sustainable overall. How Using Wool as a Natural Insulation Material Can Be Beneficial Here are four reasons why you should choose wool as your home’s natural insulation material. You can find further information regarding the many benefits of wool on our Wool Interiors Fact Sheet. Reason #1: Wool is Flame Resistant Wool’s flame-resistant properties are largely due to the fact that wool ignites less readily than other organic materials. Using wool as your chosen insulation material can help to prevent fire

By IWTO|2022-09-15T09:24:34+02:00October 15th, 2020|Blog, News|Comments Off

Score Natural Fibres Fairly – IWTO Responds to Green Claims Consultation

Every type of fiber should receive an equitable environmental assessment. In order to accomplish this goal, rating methodologies must address any inherent prejudice against natural fibers, as emphasized by the International Wool Textile Organization during their input into the upcoming European legislation in a consultation with lawmakers. The stakes are high: the risk of losing credibility with consumers. Although a standardized method for evaluating the environmental impact of products is desirable, it is essential that the system is both significant and precise. Only then can it fulfil its purpose of correctly identifying genuinely sustainable products, as underscored by IWTO. IWTO responded to a consultation that was part of a wider initiative being developed by the European Commission. The initiative will lead to legislation on the environmental claims companies will be allowed to make about their products and services. Ensuring a level playing field for natural fibres The wool industry

By Jeannette Cook|2023-10-26T12:38:45+02:00September 23rd, 2020|Blog, News|Comments Off

The Importance of Staying Fit and Healthy, And How Wool Plays a Part

During the global pandemic that has disrupted the world, many people found themselves with an unusual amount of free time on their hands. With shopping malls, gyms and other popular public places closed in an attempt to flatten the curve of COVID-19, many relied on daily workouts, such as running, walking and cycling, as a way to stay active and get out of the house. Since then, there has been a significant increase in people adopting a healthier and more active lifestyle. If you are one of these people, like us at IWTO, take the time to educate yourself on the importance of fitness and health, as well as the benefits of wool in sportswear and how it can enhance your workout. The Benefits of Staying Active and Wearing Wool While You Do It Staying active can be challenging for many people, but it does help to have the

By IWTO|2022-09-01T06:36:57+02:00August 27th, 2020|Blog, News|Comments Off

Wool Face Masks In Demand

Covid-19 has made face masks 2020's most required accessory. Fashionable or not, public health officials around the world now agree: covering the nose and mouth helps reduce the spread of Covid-19. So, we need to cover up. For most of us that means a comfortable, protective covering for everyday use. Something washable and re-useable is a real win over single-use and disposable. Wool Face Masks: Natural, Breathable, Re-Useable Wool is unique among fibres in that, thanks to the structure of its fibres, it naturally wicks moisture away from the skin and allows the skin to breathe. Research has shown how superfine Merino wool operates as a dynamic buffer, regulating humidity and temperature near the skin – read more about how that works here. The result is: you feel drier and more comfortable. Many of the wool masks now on the market are using Merino wool next to the skin, or

By Jeannette Cook|2020-10-14T11:43:21+02:00August 20th, 2020|Blog, News|Comments Off

Wool’s Role in Sustainable Fashion

Sustainable fashion has recently been thrust into the spotlight with the media reporting on sustainability across various industries. Companies are being forced to reconsider everything from raw materials to production and labour practices. The fashion industry is moving towards the reusing and recycling of fashion items as opposed to utilizing more and more resources. Mindsets are shifting towards sustainable materials and labour practices. Governments around the world are rethinking how products, including clothing, are made and disposed of. The EU, for example, has ambitious plans for collecting used textiles and ensuring that products are easier to reuse, repair and recycle. What is Sustainable Fashion? Sustainable fashion is a movement and process of fostering change to fashion products and the fashion system. There is a shift toward greater environmental integrity and social justice. Sustainable fashion involves more than tackling textiles or products solely, it involves addressing the system of fashion

By IWTO|2023-10-26T14:02:04+02:00August 6th, 2020|Blog, News|Comments Off

Virtu-Wool Conference

As a lead-in to the international Wool Research Conference, which has been postponed until March 2021 at the earliest, AgResearch hosts this on-line conference. Conference sessions will be scheduled at times that will maximise participation by international attendees. AgResearch (NZ) will host the International 'Virtual-Wool' Research Conference, 26-27 August 2020. The Conference welcomes abstracts for presentations from researchers working on wool, human hair, and protein-based materials that describe the latest findings in the following areas: Wool and hair fibre science Fibre processing technologies Wool textile chemistry, including coloration and finishing Haircare products and technologies Specialty animal fibres Sustainable wool processing The in-use and end-of-life impact of wool products Measurement and characterisation of wool fibres and textiles Novel wool products and technologies Design with wool Wool-derived materials and bioproducts The role of wool in a post-Covid world Email IWRC20@agresearch.co.nz for the abstract template and details. Abstract

By Jeannette Cook|2023-10-31T11:31:06+01:00July 9th, 2020|News|Comments Off

Yearly Archives: 2020