Experts estimate that up to 50 % of wool remains unused in the largest sheep-farming countries of Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Austria and Germany. There should be more appreciation for European Wool.

European wool receives little attention. In contrast to the popular merino wool from Down Under, many feel that it’s too rough and scratchy, which is why it is often not used. But contrary to this opinion, it’s precisely its coarser structure that makes it perfectly suitable for insulation material for outdoor clothing, as the wool padding Lavalan demonstrates. At the same time, European sheep farming makes an important contribution to environmental protection and sustainability.

Highly functional, renewable and biodegradable: Wool checks off many boxes. It is extremely breathable and ensures pleasant warmth and a constant body climate. It can absorb up to 36 % of its own weight in moisture without feeling wet. As well as having a thermo-regulating effect, wool neutralizes bad odors, which means it can be worn for longer without frequent washing. It is also hypo-allergenic, durable and biodegradable. And what is especially practical is that wool grows again every year because sheep must be shorn regularly to stay healthy. In brief: Wool combines the perfect properties for outdoor requirements and satisfies the stringent demands of environmentally conscious consumers.

European Wool as insulating material

Wool can be processed not only into yarn but also into insulation material. European wool is especially suitable for this. The Bavarian family company Baur Vliesstoffe shows how this works with its Lavalan wool padding. European wool is coarser and has a stronger crimp than fine merino wool from New Zealand or Australia, which is used in popular functional wear. This special structure ensures good rebound behavior and outstanding volume consistency – exactly the properties needed for an insulating material. Lavalan is a completely natural, highly functional alternative to down or synthetics and is used in a wide variety of products – ranging from insulated jackets and gloves to sleeping bags or ski helmets.

European Sheep – So much more than “only” suppliers of wool

Using European wool in outdoor clothing offers more than just functional advantages. European sheep play an important role in maintaining biodiversity, protecting against erosion and landslides and keeping landscapes open. However, a considerable amount of European wool finds no use because there isn’t a market for it. Experts estimate that up to 50 % of wool remains unused in the largest sheep-farming countries of Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Austria and Germany. At the same time, shearing incurs high costs, which reduces the profitability of the sheep farms. Simply ceasing to shear the sheep, however, isn’t an alternative. In the interests of animal welfare, they must be shorn at least once a year so that they can live healthy lives.

More appreciation for European Wool

The family company Baur Vliesstoffe based in Dinkelsbühl has set itself the task of giving European wool its value back again. Only European, traceable, mulesing-free wool is used for Lavalan wool padding. The wool’s path can be tracked by the end consumer via tracemywool.com, thus ensuring full transparency and trust. For many years, Baur Vliesstoffe has been consistently and successfully using European wool. More than 50 brands from the textile and outdoor sectors now work with Lavalan as an insulating material, including big names such as Vaude, Roeckl, Ziener, Hessnatur, Maier Sports or Sasta.

 

Lead photo caption: Wool collection can’t get any more local: shepherd Moritz Niess from Lauingen is only around 100 kilometers away from the production site in Dinkelsbühl (Photo credits: Lavalan)