Wool Science

Research into wool and its properties is one of IWTO’s most important activities. IWTO’s wool research is guided by specialized Technical Advisory Groups, under the leadership of our different working groups.

Here, we offer a reference of the latest wool research by topic. We aim to provide peer-reviewed research in leading journals that is available on an open-source basis.

Sustainability

Biodegradability and Microfibres/Microplastics

Marine Biodegradation Behavior of Wool and Other Textile Fibres. Water Air Soil Pollut 235, 283 (2024). Collie, S., Brorens, P., Hassan, M.M. et al. Click here to open access paper.

Microfibre Pollution and the Marine Biodegradation of Wool (Case Study). AgResearch, March 2020 Case Study (PDF)

Microfibre Pollution – What’s the Story for Wool. AUTEX Conference 2019. Collie, Randford, Fowler and Brorens. PDF (Conference Paper)

Chemicals in Wool Processing

Chemical residue trends for Australian and New Zealand wool. Ranford, S., Swan, P. & van Koten, C.  Sci Rep 12, 768 (2022). Access the paper here.

Wool Recycling

Reducing the Environmental Impacts of Garments through Industrially Scalable Closed-Loop Recycling: Life Cycle Assessment of a Recycled Wool Blend Sweater.  Wiedemann, S.G.; Biggs, L.; Clarke, S.J.; Russell, S.J.  Sustainability 2022, 14, 1081. Access the paper here.

Wool LCA

Application of life cycle assessment to sheep production systems: Investigating co-production of wool and meat using case studies from major global producers. Wiedemann S, Ledgard S, Henry BK, Yan M, Mao N, Russell SJ (2015) Int J LCA 20: 463-476. Access the paper here.

Clothing lifespans: what should be measured and how. Klepp, I.G.; Laitala, K.; Wiedemann, S. Clothing Lifespans: What Should Be Measured and How. Sustainability 2020, 12, 6219. Access the paper here.

Critical Review of Product Environmental Footprint (PEF): Why PEF Currently Favors Synthetic textiles (Plastics) and Therefore Also Fast Fashion. Ingun Grimstad Klepp, Kirsi Laitala, Lisbeth Løvbak Berg (SIFO, OsloMet), Tone Skårdal Tobiasson (NICE Fashion/UCRF), Jens Måge (Norwegian Waste Management and Recycling Association) and Kerli Kant Hvass (Revaluate/Aalborg University) Access the paper here.

Environmental impacts associated with the production, use, and end-of-life of a woollen garment. Wiedemann, S., Biggs, L., Nebel, B. et al.Int J Life Cycle Assess 25, 1486–1499 (2020). Access the paper here.

Reducing environmental impacts from garments through best practice garment use and care, using the example of a Merino wool sweater. Wiedemann, S.G., Biggs, L., Nguyen, Q.V. et al. Int J Life Cycle Assess 26, 1188–1197 (2021). Access the paper here.

Review of Methodological Choices in LCA-Based Textile and Apparel Rating Tools: Key Issues and Recommendations Relating to Assessment of Fabrics Made From Natural Fibre Types. Watson, K.J.; Wiedemann, S.G. Sustainability 2019, 11, 3846. Access the paper here.

Using LCA and Circularity Indicators to Measure the Sustainability of Textiles—Examples of Renewable and Non-Renewable Fibres Wiedemann, S.G.; Nguyen, Q.V.; Clarke, S.J. Using LCA and Circularity Indicators to Measure the Sustainability of Textiles—Examples of Renewable and Non-Renewable Fibres. Sustainability 2022, 14, 16683. Access the paper here.

Health & Wellness

Wool & Skin Health

An Investigator Blinded, Clinical Trial Assessing the Efficacy of Superfine Merino Wool Base Layer Garments (SMWBG) in Children with Atopic Dermatitis (AD) Measuring SCORAD1, EASI2, POEM3 and DSA4 Scores. Spelman Lynda Jane, Supranowicz Madeleine Jane, Davidson Kurt Alan, Johnston Jesse James, Yau Benny and Holland Teagan Lea.  Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research Volume 7- Issue 1: 2018. Access the paper here.

Debunking the Myth of Wool Allergy: Reviewing the Evidence for Immune and Non-immune Cutaneous Reactions. Michaela Zallmann, Pete K. Smith, Mimi L.K. Tang, Lynda J. Spelman, Jennifer L. Cahill, Gabriele Wortmann, Constance H. Katelaris, Katrina J. Allen, John C. Su. Access the paper here.

Determining Effects of Superfine Sheep wool in INfantile Eczema (DESSINE): a randomized paediatric crossover study.  J.C. Su, R. Dailey, M. Zallmann, E. Leins, L. Taresch, S. Donath, S.S. Heah, A.J. Lowe. (2017) Access the paper here.

Effects of Merino Wool on Atopic Dermatitis Using Clinical, Quality of Life, and Physiological Outcome Measures. Fowler, Joseph F. Jr MD, FAAD; Fowler, Lynn M. BSN, RN; Lorenz, Douglas PhD. Dermatitis: 5/6 2019 – Volume 30 – Issue 3 – p 198-206. Access the paper here.

Sleep

The impact of sleepwear fiber type on sleep quality under warm ambient conditions. Chow, Chin-Moi & Shin, Mirim & Mahar, Trevor & Halaki, Mark & Ireland, Angus. (2019).  Nature and Science of Sleep. Volume 11. 167-178. Access the paper here.

The effects of fabric for sleepwear and bedding on sleep at ambient temperatures of 17°C and 22°C. Shin M, Halaki M, Swan P, Ireland A, Chow CM.  Nat Sci Sleep. 2016;8:121-131 Access the paper here.

Wool & Carpets

General Carpet Research

Acoustic Advantages of Wool Carpeting S.  McNeil, AgResearch Technical Bulletin (2018). Access the paper here.

Advances in Wool Carpet Technology. P Ingham, W Meade, S McNeil, Proc. 12th International Wool Research Conference  (2010). Access the paper here.

Comparison of the Energy, Time and Water Usage Required for Maintaining Carpets and Hard Floors. R.A. McCall and S.J. McNeil, Indoor and Built Environment (2006). Access the paper here.

Description and Measurement of Carpet Appearance. Errol J. Wood, Textile Research Journal, 63, 10 (1993). Access the paper here.

The Physics of Carpets. G. A. Carnaby & E. J. Wood, The Journal of the Textile Institute, 80, 1, 71-90 (1988). Access the paper here.

The Thermal Properties of Wool Carpets S McNeil, AgResearch Technical Bulletin (2016). Access the paper here.

Wool and carpets – 6000 years of innovation, quality and sustainability. P Ingham, S McNeil, W Meade, M Sunderland, Key Engineering Materials 671, 490-496 (2016). Access the paper here.

Environmental

Colour and surface functional properties of wool fabrics coated with gallnut, feijoa skin, and mango seed kernel tannin-stabilised Ag nanoparticles. Mohammad Mahbubul Hassan and Tanushree Gupta, RSC Advances. Access the paper here.

Closed-loop Wool Carpet Recycling. Steven J. McNeil, Matthew R. Sunderland, Larissa I. Zaitseva, Resources, Conservation and Recycling (2007). Access the paper here.

Microplastics in our homes (carpets). Dr Fay Couceiro, Reader in Biogeochemistry and Environmental Pollution, University of Portsmouth (2023). Access the paper here (PDF).

Ecolabelling in the Textile Industry: A Review. L Ranasinghe, V M Jayasooriya. Resources, Environment and Sustainability, Vol 6 (2021). Access the paper here.

Functional Finishes For Wool-Eco Considerations. P Ingham, S McNeil, M Sunderland, Advanced Materials Research 441, 33-43 (2012). Access the paper here.

Novel Eco-friendly Wet Processing of Wool and End-of-life Options. Peter E. Ingham, Steve McNeil, Matthew Sunderland, 12th Asian Textile Conference: New Prospects on Textiles (2013). Access the paper here.

Renovation

Data on Renovation Industry in Canada. CIBC Poll (2019) Read the news item here.