In an interview with Daniela, an expert in the textile sector, we want to take a closer look at merino wool. Daniela, you originally come from the sportswear industry. One hears a lot about merino wool, both good and bad. What's the truth? The functionality and comfort of merino wool are wonderful. The fiber is a natural, biodegradable, and renewable resource. However, the aspect of animal welfare, in particular, needs...
In an interview with Daniela, an expert in the textile sector, we want to take a closer look at merino wool.
Daniela, you originally come from the sportswear industry. One hears a lot about merino wool, both good and bad. What's the truth?
The functionality and comfort of merino wool are wonderful. The fiber is a natural, biodegradable, and renewable resource. However, the aspect of animal welfare, in particular, needs to be critically evaluated.
What are the ecological disadvantages of Merino wool?
In some cases, chemicals that are ecologically and human-toxically questionable are still used for dyeing and finishing wool. However, some manufacturers have since developed more environmentally friendly processes and chemicals to refine the wool. Buying merino products with specific labels supports these practices. Examples include GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) and RWS (Responsible Wool Standard). There are also responsible brands without labels. It's best to check the manufacturer's website and contact them directly for more information.
To make merino textiles more robust, some manufacturers spin or process the fiber with polyester or polyamide. This compromises the textile's biodegradability. Blends of merino wool with cellulose fibers such as viscose or lyocell (known under the brand name Tencel), on the other hand, mitigate the problem of microplastics during washing and disposal. The increasing demand for wool increases the number of sheep required as suppliers. Intensive sheep farming brings with it several problems, such as the large grazing areas and natural resources needed for sheep breeding.
Someone recently told me about mulesing and sheep dipping. What exactly are they?
Merino sheep have been bred to produce as much fine Merino wool as possible. There is a type of insect that infests the sheep's fine fleece and skin folds. These insects, or their larvae, are dangerous to the sheep. To prevent or remove this infestation, affected areas of the sheep (around the anus) are brutally cut off without anesthesia. This cruel practice is called mulesing. Various initiatives attempt to ban this cruel practice, but enforcement and monitoring are difficult. The RWS (Responsible Wool Standard) guarantees "mulesing-free" wool. Those who look for this label when buying wool are supporting a worthwhile and important initiative. Another practice used on unregulated farms to prevent parasite infestations in sheep is called "sheep dipping." In this process, sheep are submerged in a tank of pesticides and disinfectants or driven through pesticide baths using specially designed machines.
What are the good news stories about merino wool?
Merino wool undoubtedly has significant functional and ecological advantages. The fiber is a natural, biodegradable, and renewable resource, and its production requires considerably less water than, for example, cotton. Wool can also be mechanically recycled, a process that is successfully implemented in Italy. Merino is temperature-regulating: it warms when it's cold and cools when it's warm, and it can absorb a great deal of moisture before feeling damp against the skin. To a certain extent, the wool is self-cleaning and odor-neutralizing, requiring less frequent washing, with 20 degrees Celsius being perfectly sufficient. This is a major advantage of the fiber.
