Sheep wool: the bio-based and biodegradable bio-textile

Sheep wool is a valuable agricultural by-product. Germany has around 1.6 million sheep, from which approximately 6,400 tonnes of raw wool are obtained through shearing each year. Due to its unique characteristics — it is breathable, moisture-regulating and flame-retardant — sheep wool can be used to make clothing and carpets, for insulation, and as an environmentally friendly air filter. Currently, however, the majority of the wool is not sold at a profit, but given away, used as a slow-release fertiliser or disposed of at a cost. Reasons for this include the poor market prices paid for German sheep's wool. Meanwhile, geotextiles consisting of fossil-based fibres, such as mulch and asparagus films, harvest fleeces and rock wool growing media, are still used in agriculture, as well as in horticulture, landscaping, hydraulic engineering and road construction.The GaLaWool project aims to produce cost-effective biotextiles from unused, unwashed sheep wool combined with plant fibres, integrating them into regional industrial value chains in the process. These bio-based materials provide a more environmentally friendly alternative to geotextiles derived from fossil fuels. To this end, the project consortium members are further developing and scaling up established technologies and machinery that they have developed over the last 20 years. The plan is to set up a production line to facilitate the transition from the current process (TRL 6) to industrial-scale production (TRL 8). The unwashed wool will be sterilised and processed into versatile biotextiles, such as sheet mulch, vegetation and erosion control mats, and growing media. These can be used in agriculture, horticulture, landscaping, hydraulic engineering, and road construction. Due to the involvement of industrial partners, GaLaWool will be implemented on an industrial scale over the next three years. The project's analytical and transdisciplinary approach aims to unlock the economic viability of the entire value chain, from harvesting sheep's wool to utilising the resulting products. By collaborating with industry partners, we will develop the products from the pilot stage to practical readiness, ensuring the effective utilisation of the project’s results.