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Full Circle Fibre is one of the first three inaugural projects backed by the Country Road Climate Fund, and is working with Deakin\u2019s Institute for Frontier Materials. Photo: FULL CIRCLES FIBRE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\u201cDeakin University is at the forefront of cotton processing and spinning innovation in Australia and has an array of textile processing equipment\u201d, Associate Professor Christopher Hurren said.<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring the project, we\u202fwanted to explore methods that reduce resource use while still delivering a viable, high-quality textile product.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the ways we did this was by dyeing only the wool fibres within the wool-cotton blend, reducing water and energy consumption in this process.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe project shows the potential to produce garments in Australia with Australian fibres.”<\/p>\n
Meriel Chamberlin, Full Circle Fibres owner and founder, said between 3 per cent and 5 per cent of Merino fleece consists of short fibres known as locks.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese shorter fibres are perceived as having a lower value than the rest of the fleece, and tend to be used in homeware and chunkier knit garments as it is difficult to process them into fine yarn.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn our project, we sourced locks from South Australia and blended the fibres with cotton from Queensland. The wool cotton blend yarn we\u2019ve created is finer than yarn normally made with locks.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe wanted to explore methods that reduce resource use while still delivering a viable, high-quality textile product.\u201d<\/p>\n
The project has unlocked an additional $300,000 for a three-year industry partnership to accelerate Deakin\u2019s research into wool cotton products.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe commercial spinning capacity in Australia is incredibly limited, but the learnings from this project have helped demonstrate demand and investment potential,\u201d Ms Chamberlin said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is growing momentum to revive Australia\u2019s textile manufacturing capabilities.\u201d<\/p>\n
With samples of the Mud to Marle wool-cotton blend now tested in prototype garments \u2013 including T-shirts, jumpers and pants \u2013 the project has set the stage for further innovation in circular Australian textile production.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
DEAKIN University\u2019s Institute for Frontier Materials (IFM) has partnered with fashion brand Country Road to trial a fully domestic process to transform low-grade Merino wool into high-value yarn. The \u201cMud to Marle\u201d project signifies a new step in Australia\u2019s textile industry, made possible after IFM and Full Circle Fibres secured a grant as part of […]<\/p>\n