The Woolmark Company's managing director explained wool is the most recycled apparel fibre globally and the launch of the Recycled Wool sub-brand under its new RW-1 Specification marks a step towards a more sustainable textile industry.
He added the goal is to help reduce waste and pollution.
The Recycled Wool specification ensures products contain at least 20% recycled wool, whilst also meeting The Woolmark Certification Program's stringent quality standards.
The initiative aligns with the industry's regulatory pressures to adopt more sustainable practices. Products can feature recycled wool from both pre-consumer sources, such as fabric cutting waste, and post-consumer sources, like garments, certified by standards such as the Global Recycled Standard (GRS) and Recycled Claim Standard (RCS).
The Recycled Wool sub-brand is said to reinforce Woolmark's commitment to advancing a more circular industry. By supporting the development of long-lasting, quality-assured, natural products using recycled fibres Woolmark is at the forefront of promoting solutions that minimise waste and maximise resource efficiency.
Roberts pointed out that wool accounts for only 1% of the apparel fibre market, so creating a sub-brand to promote the reuse and repurposing of the fibre will help advance wool use in new categories and keep this rare fibre in circulation for longer.
The Woolmark Certification Program includes clothing, fabrics, yarns, and home care products, with three main logos: Woolmark (100% pure new wool), Woolmark Blend (50%-99.9% new wool), and Wool Blend (30%-49.9% new wool).
