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Profile Wool

Wool, the world’s oldest carpet fibre…..

From those early days of collecting wool, hand spinning and hand weaving, wool has been the ever present fibre. Today though, due to competition from cheaper synthetic products, many markets view wool as a luxury niche fibre.

Whatever the final product, be it clothing or a fine carpet, wool is still the standard that all other fibres are constantly compared to; Wool is a very special product.

Although wool processing has been fully transitioned from its simple beginnings, wool, because of its limited use within the world of carpets, has many processing ‘secrets’.

Wool selection for carpets

Wool is all the same, but different!

There are many different sheep breeds, some are classed as producing carpet wools and others apparel wools and there are quite a range of breeds in between that cover other end uses. To ease potential complication, wools are able to be ‘objectively measured, giving invaluable data on bulk, color (whiteness / yellowness), fiber length and fibre diameter and it is this data, that textile technologists use to give them a clear idea of suitability for end use, and efficiencies during processing.

The Wool Yarn Spinner

The last 10 years have seen a decrease in commercial woollen yarn spinners internationally. This is the stage that will determine the type of carpet that can be made.

Once the wool has been selected and blended, the process of changing the raw wool into a machine ready yarn takes place. The process could be Woollen Spun, Semi Worsted or Worsted and these processes, combined with the technical construction of the yarn (count and twist levels), determine to a large degree the style and end use of the yarn.

Malcolm Sims and Associates

The critical areas of the product development process mentioned above are part of the services that MSA are able to offer to Wool Grower countries, Yarn Spinners, Carpet manufacturers, Virtual manufacturers, Retail groups or anyone that requires either guidance through certain elements of the process or the full product development package.

 

The Environmental ‘Green Fizz’

The carpet industry has had to react to the pressures and challenges of a growing environmental awareness around the world.

We can play a part in helping work through the process. Whether it be; a new direction, a need to meet a strict contract criteria or create an innovative environmental position that could set a company apart.

Colour Direction for Target Markets

Colour, – get it wrong and even the best design, the best construction and the best price will not stop product failure.

With years of experience in the international market as well as individual market segments Malcolm can bring an expertise to assist in this vital market area for carpets.

 

 

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