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Swedish-made merino wool clothing

Ett steg framåt

Återvunnet Garn

Recycled yarn from our own production waste

The first step in Woolpower Forward is about making the most of what we already have and taking responsibility for the resources we use. When we cut material for our regular products, small leftover pieces remain. For years, we’ve turned this waste into our felted material, and we’ll continue to do so. But now, we’re taking the next step.

The wool fibers in our production waste are of such high quality that they can be reused. That’s why, over the past few years, we’ve been testing how to spin them into a new yarn. This yarn can be used to create new products, and now we’re ready to test it in real life. As a first step, we’ve produced two sweaters made from our own production waste, in a small, limited batch.

We dream of a system where every garment lasts a long time, and where the material gets a second chance once the garment has reached the end of its life. Until then, we start where we can: by making use of our production waste. Because this is not only about recycled material. By collecting our own waste and spinning it into new yarn which is then knitted, finished, and sewn into new products in our factory, we create a closed loop where the wool fibers are refined and can continue to live on in new forms.

This is how production waste from our own factory is turned into new yarn

Step 1: Production Waste

The production waste is collected at our preparation department in the Östersund factory and sent to a spinning mill in Italy.

Step 2: Shredding

The production waste is shredded into fibers by a partner in Biella, Italy. The shredded material is then packed into bales and sent to GTI’s factory in Mongrando.

Step 3: Blending and Conditioning

In the Mongrando factory, the recycled fibers are blended with 30% new fibers (virgin wool). The fibers are brushed, lightly oiled, and passed through a resting area to achieve the right moisture content and structure before carding.

Step 4: Carding

The fibers are carded into a thin web in multiple directions to create strength. The fluffy material is formed into slivers, which are rolled onto beams ready for spinning.

Step 5: Spinning and Steaming

The slivers are spun into yarn in two stages:

  1. Sliver → bobbins (twist is added)

  2. Bobbins → cones (wax is applied and more yarn can be wound)

During spinning, the machine automatically identifies weak points and creates splices where needed. Finally, the yarn is steamed to fix it and stabilize its structure.

Step 6: The Finished Yarn Returns to Woolpower

The new yarn is then knitted, finished, and sewn into new garments at our factory in Östersund.