New Zealand keratin-based wool company signs first major international deal

New Zealand keratin-based wool company signs first major international deal

Wool Source has recently signed its first international customer with order for the wool-based protein keratin to be used in personal care products. Chief executive Tom Hooper told RNZ it has been good to get the deal over the line and it looks as though it will be repeat business.

“We’ve been working with them for three years. It’s been a process of improving our credibility, proving the product, having them store the product to make sure they understand that it will last well enough and then using it in their production process. So there’s been a a whole heap of stage gates that we’ve worked our way through and we’re now at the point of commercial supply”

Hooper said Wool Source is working with other customers, predominantly Europe, but also North America and some in Asia, and they have the ability to “scale up.”

Earlier this year Wool Source made a breakthrough in the particle size it was working with for businesses wanting a naturally based particle that could carry pigment and dyes.

When wool is de-constructed it retains its properties such as high absorption, making it a good base for carrying colour.

Source: NZ Wool Impact