NordWool

About the Project

Project period: 1 april 2025 – 31 mars 2027

NordWOOL is a collaborative network dedicated to characterizing, assessing, and promoting the sustainable use of Nordic native sheep breeds, with a focus on their potential unique wool properties. The project seeks to elevate the often-overlooked role of wool in sheep farming, balancing the current focus on meat production.

By uniting spinning mills experts, sheep breeders and farmers, and researchers, NordWOOL aims to enhance the recognition, quality, and market potential of Nordic native wool, while supporting biodiversity, conserving endangered breeds, and preserving cultural heritage.

Two white sheeps standing on a green meadow looking into the camera.
The Danish landrace sheep is also called Klitfår and has its origin in Jutland.

NordWool stands for Network for Nordic Landrace Sheep Wool. The network will create a WoolWiki, a catalogue that provides insight into the wool quality of the different Nordic landrace sheep breeds. It will also create a WoolBank - a physical reference collection of Nordic wool samples with standardised quality descriptions, including DNA samples, photos and other phenotypic information. Finally, the network will brainstorm new innovative ways of using wool to reduce dependence on synthetic fibres and increase the visibility and market value of wool from endangered breeds.

A flock of white and black sheeps on a meadow with trees.
The sheep breed Klövsjöfår is a Swedish breed.

 

“NordWOOL will promote for a sustainable future in Nordic sheep farming, leveraging wool as a valuable resource while conserving genetic and cultural heritage”. 

Key Objectives:

Mapping and data collection: To gather baseline data on Nordic native sheep breeds, focusing on wool quality, fiber types, and color diversity.

Characterizing wool quality: To initiate the development of a catalogue of Nordic wool types (listing different phenotypes) and launch Nordic reference collection for wool. The collection aims to form a “WoolBank” that will serve as a resource for future studies on wool properties.

Networking and collaboration: To serve as a matchmaker by establishing a comprehensive network of stakeholders, including wool producers, spinning mills, and the next generation of artisans from handcraft schools.

Promotion and innovation: To highlight wool qualities and potential, brainstorm sustainable applications (e.g., replacing synthetic fibers), and expand market interest through outreach.

Sustainability: To promote holistic use of Nordic native sheep breeds by emphasizing wool production alongside meat, contributing to sustainable genetic resource utilization.