Wool: Conscious Consumer & Outdoor innovations
Go backFor centuries, wool has had a solid outdoors presence thanks to its ingrained properties, including temperature regulation and weather protection. Its deep-rooted technical advantages and performance features make it ideal for performance and outdoor apparel.
The fibre offers a hard-working update for numerous categories, reflecting the athleisure market's ongoing evolution by fusing formal and performance, a trend that customers are noticing in all facets of their lifestyles. As customer knowledge of the negative effects of synthetic fibres made with fossil fuels rises, more outdoor clothing businesses are turning to wool as a preferred fibre. More people are spending time in nature and are aware of its wealth of advantages, from functional to medicinal to environmental, as a result of the rise in popularity of the outdoors over the past several years.
In our most recent innovation book, IB 06, we highlight some of the main innovations in the field that are trying to generate a smaller impact while optimizing the fibre to minimize waste and virgin resources. This is in response to the push in demand and growth in innovation. The primary areas of development that are bringing future-focused outdoor innovation to fibre are mentioned here.
Recycled Old Tires
IBQ Textiles, a Spanish company, recently introduced new fabrics to the market manufactured from recycled PA that was produced by pyrolyzing used auto tires. Exceptional technical quality: elastic made of recycled polyamide from FULGAR's QCYCLE recycled tires and lycra, which helps reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. This stretchy quality is also woven with merino wool at the back.
When Wool Meets Hemp
The most water-repellent natural textile, hemp dries quickly and offers the best level of comfort. Due to its origins from an antimicrobial plant that requires neither pesticides nor chemical fertilizers for growth and uses very little water, hemp is regarded as a highly sustainable natural fabric.
Pontetorto, Italian textiles company well known for its innovations, for hemp, recycled PES & recycled elastane created fabric was given the Eco Performance Award during the latest Performance Days.
Biodegradable NATIVA x Chargeurs Padding
The NATIVA Regenerative Agriculture Program is a strong system with a triple impact that is supported by statistics and based on scientific study – it's a world’s leader in luxury combined wool & and reference brand for wool fibres.
The top companies in the world can demonstrate their steadfast commitment to transparency, sustainability, and responsibility by joining NATIVA. Above all, they demonstrate that they appreciate the higher standards that consumers are demanding.
Wool Additions
Using every last bit of a fibre is essential for a resource-conscious approach. We've also included a look at how wool is being used by producers of trims in the innovation book, an idea that makes wool-based clothing even better.
ACG Accent uses production leftovers to make badges, cleverly utilizing not enough inventory to make complete garments. The badge is also embroidered with viscose thread to ensure the style is fully biodegradable.
LTP’s Innovation book also highlighting Mab’s wool tape which is another versatile way of using excess pre-production wool fibres. Made with 30% wool, 40% polyester and 30% recycled elastane, the tape offers stretch, wicking and moisture management properties and can also be printed.
How to get your copy of LTP’s Latest Innovation book
360° Innovation Book showcases the latest innovations in textiles, trims and technologies. To get your hands on a copy of the latest Innovation book, all existing customers should contact your KAM’s - LTP fabric sourcing manager and IB creator Laura Didziokiene.
The 360° Innovation book has become a place for suppliers to introduce their latest “super materials” and pioneering developments. If you’re an innovative supplier and wish to be featured in the next edition, please contact Laura.
This resource is created as part of the companies Value Added Services which are strategically developed to provide brands with the tools to drive new and exciting innovations. This suite includes:
Sustainability Solutions Accelerator
Product Design & Development, Creation and Innovation
Seasonal Trend Analysis for the Sport & Outdoor Industry
The Sport & Outdoor Apparel Network
About LTP
LTP is a Danish owned garment manufacturer for +60 premium brands within active sportswear, cycling, outdoor, urban performance, performance running and organic & lifestyle apparel. LTP was established in 1991 and now spans two continents - Europe and Asia with 6 fully owned factories. Our European Innovation Centre is located in Kaunas, Lithuania and our Asian Innovation Centre is located in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. We have a bluesign partner factory in all 5 countries where we operate (Lithuania, Ukraine, Romania, Belarus and Vietnam).
LTP consists of two divisions; LTP Garment and LTP Furniture producing in eleven fully-owned factories.