Australian Wool Innovation is hoping the Woolmark and Woolmark Blend logos will be seen on a more diverse range of products after a review of The Woolmark Company’s Licensing Program and specifications.

The changes include a new ‘Australian Merino Wool’ specification for products with an average maximum fibre diameter of 19.75 microns, a Contemporary category recognising wool’s increasing casualization and a reduction in the minimum required wool content of interior textile products to 50 percent.

The Woolmark Company Managing Director and AWI CEO Stuart McCullough said the changes to licensing program represent positive movements into new areas of the wool industry, and affect both the apparel and interior textiles industries.

“Interior companies worldwide will welcome the change for Woolmark Blend certification, reducing the minimum wool content to 50 per cent and streamlining this brand with the apparel sector.

“By reducing the minimum wool content it is hoped more interior companies will qualify to become Woolmark licensees and we will see more wool products on the shelf,” he said.

New Australian Merino Wool sub-brand

The introduction of a new specification and sub-brand “Australian Merino Wool” certified both garment quality and fibre origin and promoted the fibre of Australia’s woolgrowers to an international audience, AWI said.

“Products must have an average maximum fibre micron of 19.75µm and wool sale certificates must be submitted to The Woolmark Company as proof of origin.

“This brand is only available for pure wool products and is supported by a stock range of tickets and labels for garments.”

AWI said wool-filled apparel products are important in the sports and outdoor markets and have traditionally been dominated by synthetics or feather and down products.

“The introduction of a new Woolmark Specification for wool-filled products allows for manufacturers and garment makers to carry the Woolmark or Woolmark Blend logo on qualifying wool-filled apparel.”

Contemporary category for casual wool

AWI said The Woolmark Company has established the Contemporary category to further cement wool’s rightful place as a modern, contemporary fibre.

“In line with this, new ‘Wool Containing Denim’ specifications have been established for machine washable or machine wash and tumble dry wool denim products. The Woolmark, Woolmark Blend or Wool Blend logos may be applied to suitable qualifying products and a range of stock tickets and labels are available for garments.

AWI said the minimum wool content for Interiors and Floorcovering products using the Woolmark Blend logo has been reduced from 80 pc to 50 pc.

“This means the same minimum wool content for all products – interiors and apparel – using the Woolmark Blend logo.”

 Source: Australian Wool Innovation, The Woolmark Company