Studies confirm wool works wonders in hygiene
New Zealand textile innovator Woolchemy has released a comprehensive whitepaper assessing the performance of its proprietary neweFlex, a high performance, wool-based Acquisition Distribution Layer (ADL) for the USD $126 billon hygiene products industry.
Derelee Potroz-Smith.
The wool-based ADL was developed and evaluated with support from an independent research institute specialising in nonwovens innovation.
Backed by independent studies, the whitepaper highlights neweFlex’s ability to deliver notable performance improvements across applications such as diapers, feminine hygiene, and incontinence products.
Key findings from the whitepaper, ‘Revolutionising Hygiene: High-Performance, Plastic-Free Materials with Skin Health Benefits’, include:
Thermal comfort and humidity control: In a study conducted by a Michigan textile research laboratory, diapers with neweFlex demonstrated a warmer, more stable temperature and 10 per cent lower humidity in the microclimate compared to a polypropylene alternative1.
Dryness: In an independent study, neweFlex outperformed other biobased alternatives, keeping surfaces 3 to 14 times drier1.
Odour reduction: The wool-based ADL reduces odours, including ammonia, by 57 per cent, enhancing comfort and freshness.
Woolchemy’s innovative material is made from ethically sourced, traceable NZ wool, processed to meet stringent hygiene regulations.
The company will begin selling materials to manufacturers this year.
neweFlex is manufactured in Europe and will be shipped to customers around the globe, the company says.
Each diaper using neweFlex ADL incorporates approximately 1 gram of NZ coarse wool and plant-based fibres and is certified 100 per cent biobased by Beta Analytica.
It is free of toxic chemical substances and will release neither microplastics nor toxic substances during its decomposition process.
For the first time, Woolchemy says, the science of wool—proven in categories like clothing for odour control and thermal regulation—has been successfully translated and applied to consumer needs for disposable hygiene products.
Wool is a biodegradable and renewable fibre when disposed of in appropriate composting conditions, making it a sustainable choice at the end of its life cycle.
Contrast that with most baby diapers, for example.
“It is estimated that a total of 167 million disposable baby diapers are produced worldwide each year from 248.5 million barrels of crude oil.
Woolchemy will begin selling neweFlex to manufacturers this year.
“Globally, this generates 38.4 million tons of solid diaper waste each year,” the whitepaper says.
Some 300,000 disposable diapers are reported to be landfilled, incinerated or disposed of every minute, with over 93 per cent of hygiene products made from petroleum-derived materials.
“neweFlex addresses this environmental challenge by incorporating natural, renewable and biodegradable fibres into the supply chain, meeting growing consumer demand for high-performing, sustainable products,” Woolchemy says.
The company was founded in 2010 by Derelee Potroz-Smith and Angela Potroz to develop proprietary technologies that aim to revolutionise personal care with renewable, biodegradable alternatives.
Potroz-Smith was originally motivated by failing to find diapers for her own baby that minimised environmental impact while delivering superior comfort.
Drawing on her sheep farming upbringing and engineering training, Woolchemy was born to develop first-of-its-kind natural materials.
It holds multiple patents, with additional patent applications pending globally, related to the innovative use of wool in hygiene products.
1According to laboratory testing using industry-standard protocols.