Wedoany.com Report-Dec.29, Sweden has launched a new grading standard to assess the quality of sheep wool, becoming the latest European country to implement such a system. It joins Norway and the United Kingdom in establishing formal classification methods aimed at improving market access and increasing the appeal of wool to various industries.

The standard forms a key part of the Swedish Wool Initiative, a multi-year project designed to transform sheep wool from a discarded by-product into a valuable and marketable farm output. The initiative is a collaboration between Axfoundation, a Sweden-based non-profit focused on sustainability, and Dalarna Science Park, a platform that connects businesses, academia, and research institutions.

According to Axfoundation, Sweden currently imports more than 1,700 tonnes of wool each year, while over half of the wool produced domestically is discarded. The organization describes this as a significant underuse of a resource that could provide industries with locally sourced, biobased, and recyclable material.

The second phase of the Swedish Wool Initiative, which concluded this year, concentrated on enhancing resource efficiency throughout the wool value chain. It also focused on developing circular products for sectors including construction, furniture, fashion, and home decor.

In the textile and fashion industry, demand for textiles is projected to rise by 150 percent by 2050. Current business models often rely on overproduction, high consumption levels, and low-cost production. Many textile fibers today are synthetic or derived from conventionally grown cotton, which can require substantial water and chemical inputs.

Locally produced wool offers a potential alternative that is regionally sourced and biobased. However, the lack of proper collection infrastructure and standardized quality classification has led to most Swedish wool being discarded. Imported wool, in contrast, often involves a higher environmental footprint and different animal welfare considerations.

Johan Sidenmark, project manager for future materials at Axfoundation, said: "With the right market conditions, efficient collection stations, and innovative circular product development, there is potential to harness residuals from sheep farmers, making wool a valuable resource across industries from fashion to future manufacturing."

The Swedish Wool Initiative includes several core objectives: implementing the Swedish Wool Standard with new tools and processes for national classification; establishing regional collection points to serve as models for wider adoption; developing circular products using Swedish wool in construction, furniture, fashion, outdoor, and home decor sectors; creating circular business models and a complete value chain for wool; and conducting a sustainability analysis to support environmental declarations for the product.

The project has gained attention at the European level. At the end of November, the EU CAP Network convened the first meeting of a new focus group dedicated to innovative and sustainable approaches to strengthen farmers' roles in revitalizing the wool value chain. Common specifications for trade across the EU were among the key discussion topics.

Roger Bush, a board member of Arena Swedish Wool, which oversees the standard in Sweden, said: "Swedish sheep farmers have faced the same challenges as farmers across Europe; how do you find a market for wool of different qualities and quantities? With a few adjustments, the Swedish classification system could scale across borders. This is how we build European volume from diverse local supply."

Kia Gabrielsson Beer, a Swedish wool classer and technical expert, said: "It works. The strength of the Swedish system is that it classifies how the fibre behaves and what it can become, not the breed. That's why it also can work in a European context. The system lets buyers specify exactly what they need and allows us to match supply from many farms," Beer added.

The Swedish model offers a practical framework that could inspire broader European adoption, supporting both local producers and sustainable industry development.