A Wales-wide project which promotes Welsh wool will unveil brand new product prototypes at this year’s Winter Fair in Llanelwedd.
Led by Anglesey social enterprise, Menter Môn, ‘Made with Wool’ is a partnership with British Wool, The Wool Testing Authority (WTA) and Bangor University BioComposites Centre. Its aim is to make a difference to farmers and producers by developing innovative ways of using wool as a renewable material. The prototypes to be revealed at the show, include a composite product, sound insulation solutions and a hydroponics system.
By attending the Winter Fair, the team hopes to attract the attention of potential manufacturers to work with project experts and take the prototypes to market.
Elen Parry, project manager of Made with Wool, said: “We’re excited to be unveiling our prototypes at this year’s Winter Fair. We introduced the project at last year’s event and have since been working closely with farmers, Bangor University and industry specialists to develop new products. We are now looking to work with manufacturers and entrepreneurs to make the prototypes commercially viable.
“The cost of sheering has been higher than the price farmers get for fleece for some time and with an increased awareness of matters relating to the environment and climate, we also need to take responsibility for making more use of renewables and to look at new ways of using natural materials such as wool. These factors are key to the Made with Wool project, and we believe they can be used to benefit each other.”
Dr Graham Ormondroyd of Bangor University, who led on the work of developing one of the prototypes, added: “We have undertaken many years of research into the use of wool as an air purifier. The project will bring the research to a potential conclusion and deliver an industry ready product. Trials have been on going with the current prototype placed around the University with great success. We now look forward to seeing the product being developed commercially.”
The prototypes can be viewed at the South Glamorgan Hall during the show with the project team, and Dr Ormondroyd on hand to answer queries and discuss development opportunities. The project will also be showcasing prototypes developed by students from Bangor University’s Product Design Department. There will also be an opportunity to meet the co-founders of Wool Insulation Wales Ltd, a newly formed company that the project helped bring together to discuss how they plan to make a difference to the price of wool for Welsh farmers.
The project has received funding through the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.
