Saibosi partners with Wools of New Zealand to showcase farm-to-floor wool rugs in China
Chinese textile company Saibosi has partnered with Wools of New Zealand to put the 'farm to floor' story of New Zealand wool rugs on screen for its customers.
With Government backing, a New Zealand company has successfully developed a fire resistant, acoustic wall panel for commercial interiors made entirely from strong wool.
T&R Interior Systems Limited (T&R) was founded in 1992 by Steven Thwaite primarily as a distributor. However, it has evolved to become a leader in interior solutions and R&D around acoustic and non-structural seismic systems. This interest in interior acoustics led the company into looking at wool as a material for acoustic panels.
Called Floc Panels, technical director at T&R Hedda Landreth told Rural News Floc Panels are directly fixed to a wall.
“But it’s made out of 8-10mm worth of pure strong wool. Think of it like an acoustic wallpaper.”
To meet New Zealand’s strict building and fire code standards, T&R spent two years of development and refinement in which they came up with a brand-new, patent pending process to make the wool fire resistant up to Group 1-S. This is the highest classification achievable – without sacrificing its compostable, environmentally friendly characteristics.
“Burning Floc produces little heat, produces less smoke than synthetic fibres and results in a charred state where synthetics catch light and melt away from the flame.”
Campaign for Wool NZ chair Tom O’Sullivan describes T&R Interiors wool acoustic tile product as impressive.
“I would have to say this is one of the most exciting innovations for NZ strong wool that I have seen in a long time.”
Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor says that the panels will provide a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to existing, predominantly synthetic products.
“Most existing acoustic products in are imported from overseas, so it’s great that a Kiwi company has invested to create this homegrown product,” he claims. “Innovations like these will resonate in our export markets and help them maximise their earning potential.”
Landreth says the domestic acoustic wall covering market is estimated to be worth between $35-50 million annually.
“Even if we could replace half of the current synthetic market we’re talking about a massive amount of strong wool. It’s down to us to ensure we do the product justice.”
Allied Market research has forecast the global market to increase by 6.3% to US$13.8 billion by 2031.
Landreth says that, in these early days, the priority is getting the panels moving in New Zealand, then expanding to export markets.
“We’re hoping that the New Zealand wool story and the traceability and properties of wool will make it a very attractive product overseas.”
T&R was awarded $303,200 from the Ministry for Primary Industries’ Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures (SFF Futures) fund to accelerate pre-commercial development of the wool panels. The amount of wool used is expected to increase as new export markets are targeted by the product.
"This project with T&R is just one of 15 projects funded through SFF Futures to date that are aimed at re-energising our strong wool sector,” O’Connor says. “It complements our establishment of Wool Impact, which is charged with driving innovation and demand for our strong wool.”
Newly elected Federated Farmers meat and wool group chair Richard Dawkins says he will continue the great work done his predecessor Toby Williams.
Hosted by ginger dynamo Te Radar, the Fieldays Innovation Award Winners Event put the spotlight on the agricultural industry's most promising ideas.
According to DairyNZ's latest Econ Tracker update, there has been a rise in the forecast breakeven milk price for the 2025/26 season.
Despite the rain and a liberal coating of mud, engines roared, and the 50th Fieldays Tractor Pull Competition drew crowds of spectators across the four days of the annual event.
Nationwide rural wellbeing programme, Farmstrong recently celebrated its tenth birthday at Fieldays with an event attended by ambassador Sam Whitelock, Farmers Mutual Group (FMG), Farmstrong partners, and government Ministers.
Six industry organisations, including DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association (DCANZ) have signed an agreement with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to prepare the country for a potential foot and mouth outbreak.
OPINION: ACT MP Mark Cameron isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but he certainly calls it how he sees it, holding…
OPINION: Did former PM Jacinda Ardern get fawning reviews for her book?