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UK:Wool applications being explored to restore its status |
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2004-11-22
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Imagine warming your feet at the flick of a switch that is connected to your socks where smart wool fibres do the rest. And the fact is not far from reality!
Wool is now being mixed with other synthetic material to work out innovative solutions like development of intelligent fabrics and materials, such as carpets that change colour or textiles that respond to the environment, becoming thicker as temperatures fall.
Even Thermafleece insulation is used in building projects from single homes to council estates, and by the National Trust for renovation and conservation schemes.
This market is growing 10% a year, driven by the health fears associated with glass fibre insulation. The planned £3.6m wool research centre at Dinas Mawddwy''s collection depot will aim to cash in on this trend.
All this will bring better prospect for the flagging wool industry, which currently witnesses falling prices and breeders losing on investments.
Meanwhile, a new testing laboratory has been established at Cibyn Industrial Estate in Caernarfon''s outskirts in Wales by the British Wool Marketing Board (BWMB) that will provide necessary impetus to the UK wool industry.
This joint venture with New Zealand''s Wool Testing Authority (WTA), and grant-funded by the WDA, the £1.2m facility will offer quality assessment of all wool produced in the northern hemisphere. Wales was selected due to its predominant position in sheep farming. |
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