A new five-year, $10.4 million research project aims to grow a new wool-based manufacturing export sector.

Lincoln Agritech has just been awarded MBIE Endeavour Research funding for the project, Smart, functional, high-performing keratin structures for new biologically derived export products.

The aim is to develop keratin biopolymer products that capitalise on wool keratin’s unique structure, including reversible shape and volume changes and controlled breakdown.

“We aim to develop products for diverse market areas, such as products that control the release of microbes in soil, textile fibres superior to silk and associated garments, and ruminant boluses for controlling greenhouse gas emissions,” says project leader, Lincoln Agritech’s Dr Rob Kelly.

Project research collaborators include Harvard University, the University of Auckland and AgResearch. The project has been established with the strong support of the Wool Research Organisation of New Zealand (WRONZ).

This builds on Lincoln Agritech’s growing wool-science capability, developed while working with WRONZ over the past nine years to establish new, profitable markets for the wool industry.

“Developing new, innovative uses for New Zealand crossbred wool through rigorous research programmes with commercial applications is consistent with WRONZ’s strategy to support growers,” says Andy Fox, WRONZ Chairman.

“It also adds a long-term product pipeline to the first generation of new wool-based products currently being introduced to the market by WRONZ subsidiary Wool Source,” he says. “Developing innovative new uses for wool, alongside the increasing popularity of wool-based products like carpets, will provide a much-needed boost to farmers and the industry.”

Dr Kelly says the project brings together the world’s leading scientists in the field to focus on solving industry challenges and creating export opportunities for New Zealand.

“Establishing a substantial and rigorous science-based programme to develop long-term market opportunities is one step towards establishing a secure long-term future for the sector,” he says.