Fed: Prickly wool soon to be a thing of the past: researchers

AAP General News (Australia)
08-22-2007
Fed: Prickly wool soon to be a thing of the past: researchers

By Peter Veness

CANBERRA, Aug 22 AAP - Don't like the itch of your woollen jumper? Don't worry, help
is on the way.

Researchers today said they were working on a "prickle test" for wool.

Paul Swan is leading the research which is being done through the Cooperative Research
Centre for Sheep Industry Innovation.

"This is all about guaranteeing quality," Dr Swan said.

"We aim to have a simple measuring technology in place within two years to test wool prickle.

"Given that comfort is the most important thing consumers look for when buying a garment,
we need to be able to provide a guaranteed comfort level."

The researchers also hope to soften and whiten wool, opening the way for it to be sold
outside the colder months and possibly in tropical markets.

"Approximately 90 per cent of all wool clothing imports occur in the autumn/winter
period in the northern hemisphere in a relatively small number of mature, well-established
markets," Dr Swan said.

"In these markets, retailers generally take wool off the shelves at the end of winter
with wool not even on the radar screen in the spring and summer seasons."

Dr Swan highlighted the potential of India and China as markets for Australian wool.

"On present growth rates, the average disposable income and consumer buying power in
China and India will double in the next decade representing an additional $US16 trillion
($A19.99 trillion) in personal income," Dr Swan said.

"These markets are becoming increasingly sophisticated by western standards with similar
garment preferences to western consumers.

"We need to position wool for these new markets."

AAP pv/sb/jm/cdh

KEYWORD: WOOL

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