- Hon Todd McClay
- Hon Mark Patterson
A partnership between Government and industry will help turn New Zealand strong wool into high-value cutting-edge products and boost returns for growers, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay and Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson announced at Fieldays today.
Through the Primary Sector Growth Fund (PSGF), the Government is contributing $8 million to the $20 million project led by Wool Source Manufacturing Limited to scale up production of wool-derived particles, powders and pigments for use in products such as inks, 3D printing materials, personal care, bioplastics and textiles.
"This project aims to transform New Zealand strong wool into premium ingredients for growing global markets, creating new opportunities for the sector."
The project will establish a 1 million kilogram-per-year manufacturing facility in Christchurch to prove the technology at scale, support customer trials and generate early commercial production.
Wool Source transforms wool into fine particles while retaining its performance benefits in versatile, bio-based materials. These products provide new functionality or replace existing ingredients with a renewable, ethically sourced alternative. The end markets being targeted are collectively worth more than $50 billion globally.
The programme builds on earlier Government-supported work that proved the commercial viability of the technology and helped establish strong international demand for sustainable alternatives to fossil fuel-derived materials.
Mr Patterson says Wool Source Manufacturing Limited has already achieved its first high volume commercial sale, exporting wool particles to a Japanese personal care manufacturer, with higher-value powders and pigments expected to follow.
"This investment will help speed the technology to market so farmers can see the benefits sooner," Mr Patterson says.
The project has the potential to redirect up to 20 per cent of New Zealand's strong wool clip into higher-value applications over time.
"This is about unlocking the full potential of wool - lifting farmgate returns, supporting rural communities, and building a more resilient and sustainable sector," Mr Patterson says.
