Australian Wool Innovation Limited (AWI) presented an international study of wool processing. That has confirmed that Australian Merino wool is less likely to be contaminated with dark and medullated fibres (DMF) than wool from other countries.
However, (AWI) says this is no reason to slacken industry efforts to manage the risks of DMF contamination.
AWI commissioned the study to help reassure buyers and processors that Australian wool is high quality and can reliably be used for sensitive processing. AWI Program Manager Genetics and Wool Quality Dr Paul Swan said it was the first time a study of this type had been conducted.
"We collected data on 790 consignments of wool from 14 processors located around the globe, in order to measure the incidence of contamination from dark and medullated fibres, as well as the country of origin and whether batches were predominately fleece or piece wool,” Dr Swan said."
"In particular, we were looking at the suitability of Australian wool to DMF sensitive end-uses – pastel shade fabrics where dark fibres cause problems, and dark shade fabrics where medullated fibres cause problems."
"The results show that around 90 per cent of processing batches made up entirely of Australian Merino fleece wool are suited to sensitive end-uses, whereas when Australian wool was blended with wool from other countries, only around 65 per cent of batches were suited to sensitive end-uses.
"This is a very clear indication of a competitive advantage Australian wool has over wool from other countries – an advantage we should protect and build on, not throw away," Dr Swan said.
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