As part of a German-Dutch consortium called [Re]value, we’re exploring the possibilities to create fully biogenic, locally sourced yarns made of the combination of hemp and wool. Among the project partners we have spinners, knowledge institutes, producers of machines, designers and more. In this article, we give a brief update on our progress, as well as insights regarding the latest project activities.
The latest in-person meeting took place at Envisions in Eindhoven. Their design-studio is located centrally in Eindhoven, which is the ideal place for them to do what they do best: reimagining raw materials, inspiring new solutions in products, spaces and content. They’re the ideal partner to explore the possibilities of the sustainably sourced materials and spun materials that are part of [Re]value.
At the core of Envisions’ search in this project, lies the hemp-wool combination which finds its origins in the Netherlands and Germany. The project started with an idea: finding ways to make use of wool that is widely available, but currently not used for products. An important reason why this wool is currently not used, is the fact that its properties inhibit use in yarns. That is why [Re]Value is experimenting with various compositions and techniques to create textile applications.
As we are working our way towards larger scale spinning tests – Hochschule Niederrhein presented some of the progress they have already made with the materials. They created felted cloth in various compositions, numbers of layers and patterns. They brought yarns and cloth made from the yarns as well, which made it very tangible and obvious that we can create a variety of qualities with these material and that the material compositions matters a great deal when it comes to strength, but also: how it feels. As we’re in the process of finding out what product applications we should pursue, this provided valuable input for the consortium.
As part of this in-person meeting, we organised a workshop for the consortium. The goal was to explore the end of use solutions for the hemp-wool yarns. This is a crucial step in our attempts to not only produce locally sourced, sustainable yarns, but to do so in such a way that the products are as circular as possible. That requires thinking in material cascades – in other words: take into consideration that materials used in products have to be used again, in the same or a different product. We discussed the possible product applications, what triggers replacement of these products and more importantly: what enables or inhibits an end of use solution with the highest possible retention of quality and value.
Over the coming months, the consortium will accelerate the project activities, as we’re learning more and more about the qualities of the yarns. The first prototypes for product applications are expected to be created early next year, and as we’re working towards that milestone, we continue diving deeper into the impacts, alignment with market demands, and the design of material cascades. Make sure to follow the project on LinkedIn, Instagram, and through the newsletter in which we regularly give updates.