This morning, the government announced that it would fund a new project with Bremworth, a New Zealand wool carpets maker.
Via its Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures (SFF Futures) fund, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) will contribute $1.9 million to Bremworth’s $4.9 million sustainability initiative.
The programme would include research and production of natural and green chemistry-based alternatives to the few remaining synthetic components of woollen carpets, according to Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor.
Synthetic carpets, according to O’Connor, have had a major impact on the wool industry.
“I’ve been advised that a synthetic carpeted home in New Zealand would have the equivalent weight of 22,000 plastic shopping bags on its floor.” That’s a good argument to use organic wool wherever possible to provide healthier homes for New Zealanders and the rest of the world.
“Consumers are now more than ever contemplating a product’s whole life cycle. We assume that by demonstrating strong environmental credentials that challenge industry standards, this initiative will increase demand for New Zealand strong wool and improve our manufacturing competitiveness.”
He claims that reviving the powerful wool sector is an important part of delivering the government’s Fit for a Better World roadmap, which aims to make the world a better place.
“In the end, we hope it will help New Zealand’s large wool industry, with better returns for our farmers and producers, as well as helping their communities,” says O’Connor. “If we get this right, then that’s a convincing yarn we can sell to our markets abroad.”
