Sheep wool

What is sheep's wool?

Sheep's wool is a natural animal fibre obtained from the fleece of sheep. It is soft, temperature-regulating, and has excellent moisture-wicking properties.

It is used in clothing, bedding, upholstery, and insulation materials, among other applications. Wool is a renewable raw material, biodegradable, and one of the oldest fibre materials used by humans.

How is sheep's wool produced?

Sheep are typically shorn once a year. The raw wool is then cleaned, sorted, and mechanically processed – for example by combing, spinning, or quilting. Particularly high quality is wool from certified organic animal husbandry (kbT), which ensures species-appropriate keeping, organically grown feed, and the avoidance of harmful chemicals.

Environmental profile of sheep's wool

Sheep's wool is a renewable raw material that can be produced locally and processed with comparatively low energy input – particularly when it comes from certified organic farms (kbT).

1. Raw material sourcing

In certified organic animal husbandry (kbT), animals live on pastures, receive exclusively organic feed, and are kept in species-appropriate conditions. Mulesing and the use of pesticides are prohibited.

2. Processing and energy input

The cleaning and processing of wool is mostly mechanical and involves minimal use of chemicals. Regional supply chains help shorten transport distances and reduce emissions.

Thanks to its high insulating capacity, wool is particularly well suited to long-lasting products – from bedding through to insulation materials.

3. Durability

Wool is naturally hard-wearing and dimensionally stable. It retains its structure for many years and refreshes with simple airing – ideal for long-lasting products.

4. Reusability

Wool can be reused as filling material, insulation, or in recycled textiles. Used wool products can often be repaired or reworked as well.

5. Biodegradability

Pure shorn wool is compostable and breaks down completely under natural conditions – without leaving behind microplastics or pollutants.

A note on criticism

Despite its positive properties, sheep's wool is not without criticism. Conventional animal husbandry can involve poor keeping conditions, long transport distances, or the controversial practice of mulesing – a painful procedure used primarily in Australia. In addition, the cleaning of raw wool is often water- and energy-intensive when not carried out to ecological standards.

This makes it all the more important to choose sheep's wool from certified organic animal husbandry (kbT). This ensures species-appropriate keeping, mulesing-free practices, and careful processing throughout.