Wool is the best fibre in existence and we haven't been able to even come close to its characteristics with any synthetic fibre. When researching applications of wool, an entirely new vision on the world opens up. So what is the importance of wool for modern society?
First some basic principles. 95% of the wool used in this world is derived from the Merino breeds. The thickness of the fibre is the indication of what the wool will be used for. Commercial wool thickness varies between 18 micron (from the real Merino) up to 23.5 micron (from the mutton Merino). Wool between 21 and 23.5 micron is used for knitting (pullovers, scarfs, socks and the other type of clothing you would associate with wool). Wool with a thickness of less than 21 micron is typically used for the creation of “high society” clothing such as the expensive men's suits (weaving). Wool thicker than 24 micron has no important commercial value on the world market and is typically sourced locally and turned into felt for hats, overcoats or even billiard carpets.
The world produces 2 billion kg of commercial wool every year. That is about 250 grams per person per year. 85% of that wool is used in the textile industry for the creation of clothes, carpets, curtains, upholstery and the other types of garments that exist. The remainder, about 300 million kilo of wool, is used in all kinds of industrial applications. Important to remember is that sheared wool has 3 different industrial applications, there is the wool itself, the lanolin which is an oily substance covering the wool to protect the sheep from moisture, and the protein in the wool, keratin, which you might know from the hair shampoos and lotions on the market.Let's have a closer look at wool. Wool as a fiber has no counterpart. We haven't been able to produce a fiber synthetically that exhibits the same type of characteristics. (not even near) The most important characteristics of wool fiber are; that it is a thermal, sound and electric insulator, it is strong and lightweight, it is fire and heat resistant, it is moisture repellent, anti-bacterial and extremely durable (wool has a life-expectancy of 5000 years, that is 5 times longer than the typical synthetic fibers on the market). Quick note, this means that your woolen pullover will outlast the plastic soup in the ocean.
Therefore it is the fiber of choice for an entire range of industrial applications.
Before we address the uses of wool, look around and see whether you have any idea of where the wool (and its derivatives) is in your environment. Did you find any?
If you would remove all items in which wool is used or has been used during fabrication, you would sit in a complete desert.
So let's start with the obvious ones. Wool is a moisture repellent so it is commonly used in products where moisture is present, such as diapers or female hygiene products, cardboard packaging or any type of product where you need a very thin layer of fabric to separate moisture from the skin. It is also very lightweight. The modern bullet proof vests, which everybody knows as kevlar are in fact woolen vests interwoven with kevlar to reduce the weight. Compare a bullet proof vest from the 1980's with a current one and you will quickly see what wool has done for comfort levels for those who need to wear one.
The antibacterial properties of wool make it perfect for the application of all kinds of healthcare material such as bandages, face masks, hospital clothes, bedding, etc. (and obviously non-stinking socks)
The thermal insulation characteristic has obvious uses but one that most people are not aware of is that wool is used in the creation of ceramic tiles. And although tiles are made of clay, the clay is mixed with wool ash to give it a higher insulation factor and more strength. Think wool when you see a tiled environment. Other construction materials nowadays regularly use wool to augment the thermal insulation factor. A factor with high importance in modern construction.
The lanolin of the wool is being used in glossy paint. The fake metallic glossy look you see nowadays in kitchen appliances is achieved by adding lanolin to the paint. Not only in kitchen appliances though, even car paint has lanolin added to it.
And then obviously, there are electronics. Every single piece of electronic equipment has wool in it. Here are some examples of how wool is used in the creation of electronics. First of all, capacitors, an energy storage component on motherboards, have wool to protect other components from the heat that comes with storing energy. Or how about the beautiful sound coming from an ultra-tiny speaker in your smartphone, headset, computer, tv or radio. These speakers are what is called paper-cone speakers and in order to make them durable and create a more soft sound output (paper doesn't handle moisture very well, nor constant movements) this paper is interwoven with wool.
Because of the electric and thermal insulation characteristics, wool is also a common and necessary element in the creation of lithium batteries while the fire and heat resistance are obviously quite important in the uniforms worn by those public servants that are protecting us.
There are thousands of different industrial applications for wool. The components in your environment that do not contain wool have been created with tools that contain wool. All heavy equipment, whether they are hydraulic presses, transport belts, ovens, you name it, have wool in it, whether for sound dampening, heat insulation, vibration control, etc., etc.
And did you know that a dry woolen pyjama produces the same amount of heat during the night as an electric blanket? In a world of expensive energy, that surely sounds like a comfortable solution.Isn't it fantastic and absolutely amazing that shepherds with their flocks are the ones that are responsible for the world as we know it? No wool, no modern world, it is as simple as that. And there is no alternative in sight, not even close. So the future of wool is guaranteed.
