Woolmark has announced the launch of Woolmark+, a vision that will bring together brands, woolgrowers, and the supply chain to secure a sustainable future for the wool industry.
With a focus on circularity, Woolmark+ aims to enhance animal welfare, woolgrowers’ livelihoods, and the pace of low-impact production. The plan outlines thirteen feasible projects that aim to maximize output, reduce carbon emissions, and encourage natural regeneration. In addition to helping woolgrowers meet their financial objectives, this approach is consistent with businesses’ growing commitment to lower Scope 3 emissions and enhance supply chain sustainability.
The goal of the Woolmark+ roadmap is to help suppliers, brands, and woolgrowers expedite their shift to a stance that values the environment.
We hope to improve cost efficiency and generate a variety of revenue streams for partners all along the wool value chain by clearly explaining the intrinsic value of wool as well as the environmental co-benefits of wool production. According to Woolmark CEO John Roberts, “this approach not only strengthens the economic viability of wool production but also reinforces the positive environmental impact of wool-growing.”
Carbon Insetting, a “groundbreaking programme to create a market for wool-insetting, connecting global brands with woolgrowers to help them meet their emissions targets,” is one of the initiatives that are part of the Wookmark+ initiative.
Nine research and development projects aimed at reducing methane emissions from sheep using feed additives.
The first results showed a 50% reduction in asparagopsis (seaweed) and a 19% reduction in agolin.
Environmental metrics relevant to the farm are produced under the program’s Nature Positive Specification so that woolgrowers and brands can make verifiable claims.
Through the Nature Positive Impact Program, investors can also engage with leading organizations who are pursuing projects to reduce emissions, enhance biodiversity, promote climate resilience, and facilitate circularity.
Woolmark Recycled, the final new sub-brand, prides itself on “highlighting wool as the industry’s most recycled fibre.”
Ajay Pradhan, Senior Marketing & Business Development Manager, India, was interviewed by Apparel Resources and discussed the Woolmark+ program for India. “Globally and in India, the Woolmark+ concept has already been introduced. In order to inform and educate them about the effort and how they can profit by being a part of it, we are currently having one-on-one conversations with the numerous supply chain partners and brands, he said.
Regarding the Woolmark+ plan, he stated that The Woolmark Company is aiming to approach the Indian wool industry from two angles: exports, which serve the international market, and domestic consumption through brands.
Manufacturers and brands have observed that governments across the globe are increasingly taking action and enacting new laws to lower waste, greenhouse gas emissions, and chemical use in the textile sector. “We at Woolmark+ aim to ensure tailored solutions are available at scale to meet the differing sustainability goals and strategies of brands/manufacturers,” he continued. “A large part of the textile industry is already on the positive transition journey.”
He stated that the aim of the Woomark+ program is to assist and acknowledge the wool supply chain’s dedication to sustainable innovation and good effect, both in the short and long term. At the farm level, we are assisting woolgrowers in their continued efforts to manage natural resources for the good of their enterprises, their animals, their clients, and the environment.
To put it succinctly, our goals include working together with industry participants to develop, promote, and acknowledge wool as the preferred natural and circular fiber and to redirect the production of wool away from potentially harmful chemicals. Industry cooperation is critical to this initiative’s success.
