Saturday, 04 June 2022 11:55

Kiwi wool researchers develop compostable rug

Written by  Staff Reporters
The development of fully compostable carpet that can be mass-produced in a financially viable way would be transformational for New Zealand’s wool exports, says Bremworth chief executive Greg Smith. The development of fully compostable carpet that can be mass-produced in a financially viable way would be transformational for New Zealand’s wool exports, says Bremworth chief executive Greg Smith.

The development of a prototype rug which contains no plastic materials could bring New Zealand’s wool export industry closer to mass production of fully compostable carpets.

According to data from the Ministry for the Environment, textiles, including carpet, make up approximately 5% of New Zealand landfill volumes with over 186,000 tonnes entering the waste stream each year.

Greg Smith, Bremworth chief executive, says the development of fully compostable carpet that can be mass-produced in a financially viable way would be transformational for New Zealand’s wool exports.

He says the three-year research initiative was launched as a response to consumer demand for an environmentally sound, end-of-life solution for carpet.

“We know there has been a post-pandemic shift in the way our international customers are seeing New Zealand wool, with a growing number looking to integrate natural fibre products into their home environment.

“While design and quality remain key drivers for most segments, what happens at the end of a product’s useful life is becoming an increasingly important factor in the purchase decision.”

He says that ultimately, for New Zealand wool products to carry a price premium in key export markets, the sector needs to invest in the creation of added-value products.

“Our latest research initiative is designed to help us build a product range which can be meaningfully reused or naturally returned to the earth in a way that resonates with our customer base - without compromising the design and performance that they care about,” he says.

Dr Kristine Hulse, sustainability lead at Bremworth, says while wool is a natural fibre which can break down due to its organic composition, most wool carpets use a polypropylene backing and latext which contain synthetic materials – preventing the product from being composted.

She says the new rug, which is hand woven from natural materials including sheep wool and alpaca fibres, was created as part of a rapid prototyping research initiative – designed to test a number of sustainability concepts in textile design.

Each step in the programme is designed to address barriers preventing carpet from completely breaking down at the end of its life.

“By preserving the natural integrity of the fibre we can increase the number of opportunities for product circularity, increase the number of secondary uses for used carpet and significantly reduce volumes of textiles entering the landfill,” she says.

Hulse says crossbred sheep and alpaca fibres were used in the first prototyping process to provide a broader range of colours but more trials are underway to find alternatives to the use of alpaca yarn – which is in limited supply in New Zealand.

More like this

Bremworth opens retail store

In what is believed to be an industry first, wool carpet manufacturer Bremworth will open a retail store in Auckland.

Clarity wanted over wool directive

Meanwhile, a new Government directive to prefer the use of woollen fibres in its buildings has the potential to transform the rural sector, according to Bremworth.

Featured

Sheep drench resistance costly

Analysis by Dunedin-based Techion New Zealand shows the cost of undetected drench resistance in sheep has exploded to an estimated $98 million a year.

Dairy sheep and goat turmoil

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.

Hurry up and slow down!

OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.

National

Knowing bugs means fewer drugs

A mastitis management company claims to deliver the fastest and most accurate mastitis testing available at scale for New Zealand…

Machinery & Products

AGTEK and ARGO part ways

After 12 years of representing the Landini and McCormick brands in New Zealand, Bay of Plenty-based AGTEK and the brands’…

100 years of Farmall Tractors

Returning after an enforced break, the Wheat and Wheels Rally will take place on the Lauriston -Barhill Road, North-East of…

JD unveils its latest beast

John Deere has unveiled its most powerful tractor ever, with the launch of the all new 9RX Series Tractor line-up…

Biggest Quadtrac coming to NZ!

In the biggest announcement that Case IH Australia/New Zealand has made around its tractor range, its biggest tractor is about…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Why?

OPINION: A mate of yours truly wants to know why the beef schedule differential is now more than 45-50 cents…

Fat to cut

OPINION: Your canine crusader understands that MPI were recently in front of the Parliamentary Primary Sector Select Committee for an…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter