Swedish Wool – Unlocking the Potential of an Overlooked Resource

Swedish wool is a renewable, locally produced raw material, yet large quantities are still wasted every year. Through The Swedish Wool Initiative, Axfoundation and stakeholders across the entire value chain have reestablished a functioning value chain for Swedish wool. Important challenges remain, however. There are still no applications for some of the Swedish wool rejected during sorting because it is not suited to today's textile systems. Guided by the vision that all Swedish wool should be put to its highest-value use, Axfoundation is developing solutions for the wool that is still rejected even after it has been collected. The goal is to make use of even more Swedish wool.

Some grades of Swedish wool are still sorted out because they are not suited to today’s textile system. Photo: Axfoundation.

The Issue

The value chain for Swedish wool has been strengthened, but one major challenge remains. Today, large quantities of Swedish wool are collected, but some of it is rejected during sorting because it lacks the properties required for today’s textile products. Several wool grades still lack a viable market and buyers. As a result, a renewable, locally produced raw material is still wasted or used in low-value applications. Making use of more Swedish wool will require new products, materials, and applications in which wool’s varied properties can become an asset and create value for more stakeholders across the value chain.

We have shown that Swedish wool is a valuable raw material. The next step is to create value from the wool that is currently rejected during sorting. When more grades have a clear purpose and a market, we strengthen both the value chain and our ability to make use of all Swedish wool.

– Johan Sidenmark, Project Manager, Future Materials, Axfoundation

Our Solution

To put more Swedish wool to use, new markets and applications are needed. Axfoundation is therefore working with companies, researchers, and other stakeholders to develop solutions that capitalize on wool’s properties – including thermal insulation, sound absorption, moisture management, flame resistance, and biodegradability. This can open up new opportunities for Swedish wool beyond the traditional textile system.

For these solutions to be sustainable over the long term, the entire value chain – from sheep farmers to industry – also needs better economic conditions, as well as investment in Swedish washing and processing capacity. Another important part of this work is highlighting the value of Swedish wool. By developing tangible applications and showcasing the material’s contributions to circularity, biodiversity, and Sweden’s emergency preparedness, Axfoundation aims to increase demand and help create the conditions for a competitive Swedish wool industry over the long term.

Project goals

Swedish Wool – Unlocking the Potential of an Overlooked Resource aims to help put more Swedish wool to use and share solutions from The Swedish Wool Initiative internationally.

The project will help:

Develop and demonstrate new products and materials made from Swedish wool rejected during sorting
Increase knowledge of wool’s properties and potential applications
Create new partnerships among industry, research, and the public sector
Strengthen the conditions for a market for Swedish wool rejected during sorting
Improve resource efficiency, circularity, and Sweden’s security of supply.

Why Swedish wool?

Swedish wool is a renewable natural resource with the potential to contribute to the materials systems of the future in areas including technical textiles, construction, furniture, gardening, and industrial applications.

Renewable raw material – Swedish wool grows naturally each year and today is primarily a byproduct of Swedish sheep farming.
Biodegradable – Unlike synthetic fibers, wool decomposes naturally and does not contribute to microplastic pollution.
Circular – Wool can be reused, mechanically recycled, and, at the end of its useful life, returned to nature or used as a soil amendment.
Natural material properties – Wool regulates temperature, absorbs moistur e, dampens sound, and is naturally flame-resistant without added chemicals.
Supports biodiversity – Grazing sheep keep landscapes open, preserve semi-natural pastures, and benefit many plant and animal species.
Strengthens Sweden’s emergency preparedness – A domestic wool value chain reduces dependence on imported materials and strengthens resilience and security of supply.
Creates local value – Processing Swedish wool creates new business opportunities, jobs, and greater knowledge of the material’s origin and properties.

Our Contribution

Axfoundation is driving development together with companies, researchers, designers, and other stakeholders across the value chain. By identifying systemic barriers, developing and testing new solutions, and fostering collaboration across industries, we aim to demonstrate how Swedish wool rejected during sorting can become a valuable raw material in the circular materials systems of the future.

At Torsåker Farm, we develop and demonstrate practical solutions centered on the natural properties of wool rejected during sorting. The focus is on developing products and materials designed for circular flows, in which wool’s properties deliver clear added value.