In order to ensure a sustainable future for the wool sector, Woolmark has announced the introduction of Woolmark+, a vision that will bring together brands, woolgrowers, and the supply chain.
Woolmark+ seeks to improve animal welfare, woolgrower livelihoods, and low-impact production speed while fostering circularity. Thirteen realistic projects are outlined in the plan with the goals of maximising productivity, lowering carbon emissions, and promoting natural regeneration. This strategy not only helps woolgrowers achieve their commercial goals, but it also fits with companies’ growing pledge to reduce Scope 3 emissions and improve supply chain sustainability.
“The Woolmark+ roadmap is designed to support woolgrowers, brands and suppliers to accelerate their transition to a nature positive position. By effectively communicating both the inherent value of wool and the environmental co-benefits of wool production, we are aiming to enhance cost efficiency and create diversified revenue opportunities for partners right along the wool value chain. This approach not only strengthens the economic viability of wool production but also reinforces the positive environmental impact of wool-growing,” said Woolmark CEO John Roberts.
Included in the Wookmark+ initiative are: Carbon Insetting, which is a “groundbreaking programme to create a market for wool-insetting, connecting global brands with woolgrowers to help them meet their emissions targets.”
Nine R&D efforts on methane reduction that use feed additives to lower emissions from sheep. Asparagopsis (seaweed) was found to reduce by 50 per cent and Agolin to reduce by 19 per cent in the initial results.
Under the Nature Positive Specification of the program, environmental measurements related to the farm are developed so that woolgrowers and brands can make claims that can be supported.
Additionally, investors can interact with top organisations working on initiatives to lower emissions, improve biodiversity, foster climate resilience, and enable circularity through the Nature Positive Impact Program.
The last new sub-brand is Woolmark Recycled, which bills itself as “highlighting wool as the industry’s most recycled fibre.”
Apparel Resources spoke with Ajay Pradhan, Senior Marketing & Business Development Manager, India, who talked about the Woolmark+ initiative for India. “The Woolmark+ initiative has already been launched in India and globally. We are now getting into one-on-one conversations with the vast supply chain partners and brands to inform and educate them about the initiative and how they can benefit by being a part of it,” he said.
On the Woolmark+ initiative targeting India’s wool industry, he said that The Woolmark Company is targeting the Indian wool industry in two ways; the export industry which caters to the global market and the domestic consumption through brands. Both manufacturers and brands have been witnessing how Governments worldwide are now stepping in, introducing new legislation to reduce waste, greenhouse gas emissions and chemical usage in the textile industry. “A large part of the textile industry is already on the positive transition journey, we through Woolmark+ aim to ensure tailored solutions are available at scale to meet the differing sustainability goals and strategies of brands/manufacturers,” he added.
Regarding the Woomark+ initiative’s long and short term goals for the wool industry, he opined that the Woolmark+ objective is to support and recognise wool supply chain commitments to sustainable innovation and positive impact. “At the farm level, we are supporting woolgrowers’ ongoing work to manage natural assets for the benefit of their business, animals, customers and the environment. In short, we are aiming for deep collaboration with industry players towards an increased rate of wool reuse and recycling, development, promotion and recognition of wool as the natural and circular fibre of choice, and steering wool manufacturing free of chemicals of concern. The success of this initiative is greatly dependent on industry participation.”
