Combining fibres from land and sea, the wool alginate blend yarn integrates the capabilities of the wool fibre with the natural advantages of brown seaweed. A circular solution for performance apparel, medical textiles, workwear, home textiles and beyond, wool alginate fibre blend yarn was developed in partnership with Südwolle Group and IMPETUS Portugal Têxteis.
How It Works
Inspired by the intricate architecture of plant cells, wool-alginate blend yarn brings a new dimension of comfort and seamless adaptation to both indoor and outdoor environments with natural softness, breathability and performance.
Combining the wool fibre’s natural softness, moisture absorption and flame resistance with brown seaweed’s enhanced skin comfort and moisture retention, wool alginate blend yarn merges the benefits of both fibres to create a unique material that offers superior wearability, breathability and performance for next-to-skin applications.
The wool alginate blend yarn process begins with the extraction of sodium alginate from brown seaweed, transforming it into calcium alginate through an ion-exchange reaction. The fibres undergo a wet-spinning technique that extrudes the fibre-forming solution into a calcium bath, solidifying into a continuous filament to create a fibre with high moisture absorption and natural flame resistance. Wool alginate blend yarn supports circular textile manufacturing, created from wool fibre and seaweed, which are both continuously renewable fibres.
When blended with wool, the resulting composite yarn combines the natural properties of both the wool fibre and the alginate fibre. This includes improved skin comfort and hydration for a high moisture content of approximately 20.7% softer wear for next-to-skin hydration.* When exposed to moisture, alginate fibres naturally swell, which enhances comfort in activewear, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and workwear.
Adding to the wool fibre’s flame resistance capability, alginate yarn has a LOI (Limiting Oxygen Index) of 45%, achieving a greater level of fire resistance than traditional fibres*, making it a valuable addition for applications requiring enhanced fire protection, such as protective apparel, upholstery, and technical textiles.
*The values are from testing a 100% Alginate fibre yarn. Tests for wool alginate blend yarn are currently in progress.
PRODUCT APPLICATIONS
IMPETUS Portugal Têxteis designed next-to-skin intimates, inspired by biophilic structures found in plant cells, aiming to promote comfort and well-being.
Contact the Woolmark Technical Team for more information.
In Collaboration With Suedwebs
