3Dx Collection
Basic information
Project Title
Full project title
Category
Project Description
Sustainable, warm and modern, protected by the wool of endangered European sheep breeds. With the 3Dx collection, we have succeeded in making this wool usable as padding for outdoor clothing, thus combining nature conservation, species preservation, knowledge transfer and economic efficiency - all in Europe. We make use of the high-tech fibre wool to produce textiles for the outdoor sector with state-of-the-art processing technology that respects and protect nature, people and our heritage.
Geographical Scope
Urban or rural issues
Physical or other transformations
EU Programme or fund
Which funds
Description of the project
Summary
With the aim of using and preserving what already works excellently for our personal climate to protect the climate, Nordwolle processes the wool of old and partly endangered European sheep breeds. With our latest project, the 3Dx collection, we have succeeded in doing something that previously seemed impossible. An industrially processable padding made of European sheep's wool. Until now, this kind of padding had to be made mostly from plastic and was the basis for a lot of outdoor clothing. The advantage of our material is not only that it is plastic-free, but also the properties of the wool used. Especially the rough-wooled Pomeranian sheep provides the perfect high-tech fibre due to its adaptation to the rough, wet and cool conditions of the Baltic Sea climate. The special properties of the fibre and the combination of different fine and coarse hairs make this wool wonderfully warm and moisture regulating. Combined with our knowledge of the most modern processing techniques and the heritage of a centuries-old textile processing industry, we have managed to merge the old with the new, creating a unique synergy and setting a whole new standard for the outdoor clothing industry with the 3Dx collection. Our aim is not only to turn the industry upside down but to create better conditions for everyone. This includes the entire production chain from the shepherd to the processing partners and our own location. Our aim with this project was to create outdoor clothing that benefits everyone and to bring back an understanding of the value of local wool from endangered sheep breeds. So both people and nature can feel safe and at home.
Key objectives for sustainability
Sustainability is an aspect that influences everything we do and the 3Dx collection reflects this. Starting with the sheep, which were only kept for landscape maintenance and as a hobby, this product adds value by using a material that was previously thrown away. Special care is also taken in the next step of the industrial processing of the material. The wool is neither carbonised nor dyed and is washed in such a way that it retains a high proportion of lanolin at the end, in order to preserve the natural properties of the wool and make the material as durable as possible. This minimal processing is gentle on the wool and the environment. Certified cotton from Greece is used as the outer material, which is then processed in Germany. Modern computer technology is used in the production of the 3Dx collection to ensure that the material is used as sparingly as possible, to avoid waste and to use our resources efficiently. During further processing, care is taken to create a high-quality product so that the jacket or waistcoat can be worn for as long as possible. On the one hand to guarantee quality, but also to ensure that we work to the highest standards, our production is entirely European and no production step has been moved to Asia. Even if there are problems after use, we offer a repair service to extend the life of the jacket even further. The textile industry is responsible for a large part of the climate impact and we want to offer a real alternative and get things moving so that sustainability becomes the focus of production.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
The challenge with the 3Dx collection was to make all the benefits of wool directly tangible for people. Without compromising on the design. The goal was to create a jacket that is a retreat where you can go on new adventures in your own protected space. To create a place where you can stay with yourself, be safe and at the same time rise above yourself, right where you are.
Historically, a large part of European clothing was made of wool and is therefore an important part of our own history. Many remember wool as the scratchy fabric of childhood, irritating to the skin and uncomfortable to wear. We aim to be comfortable and offer the benefits of wool without the scratchiness and itchiness, using modern techniques.
To make sure that the 3Dx collection is used for as long as possible, we have ensured that the jacket is well protected against all weathers and winds with a high collar and a hood, in addition to a sustainable impregnation that can be reactivated by heat. The extra inserts on the shoulders make the wool visible and tangible, and at the same time increase its durability. With the extra lined pockets we want to make sure that hands and fingers stay warm even if you forgot your gloves at home.
Key objectives for inclusion
The work with this special material also contains for us the extremely important task of educating. This includes telling about the material itself, especially in contrast to the widespread merino wool, which is not a local product but comes to us via long and complicated routes, the work with the animals and the living conditions of the shepherdesses and shepherds. In addition, we clearly show our production chain and are always happy to accept suggestions from anyone who offers better and sustainable solutions. In-house, too, we encourage everyone to come up with new ideas and suggestions in order to discuss them seriously. In order to promote the breeding of rare breeds, we also take wool from hobby shepherds and this measure is beginning to bear fruit. We are told that the members of sheep associations are getting younger and that there is more and more interest in the work of the shepherds as well as in the animals themselves. In this way we have succeeded in inspiring people anew for something that has shaped our cultural landscape and without which we would not be able to preserve it.
Results in relation to category
The influence is manifold, starting with the fact that people are becoming more and more interested in getting clothing with a certificate of origin and are making critical enquiries, also in our country. As well as the aforementioned participation and interest in sheep and the products that can be made from them.
We are also noticing a change in our suppliers and producers. We make special demands and even though we are not huge, we act as pioneers and have already received feedback that our suppliers are getting more and more demand for similar services. In the beginning we were mainly active in Germany and slowly this is spreading to other parts of the European Union and with us our values to create good conditions for all.
How Citizens benefit
Without the contribution of small-scale shepherds, some wants would become even rarer. Through the dedication of hobby shepherds who have no economic interest in keeping these breeds, but who keep them for reasons of biodiversity or simply for the love of the animals, it is possible to preserve this raw material locally and with good quality. And this is a commitment that becomes clear through our work in the sheep associations. More and more people are interested in these breeds and animals, want to make sure and contribute to their preservation. We have received feedback, which is only possible through the close relationship with our producers, that a new interest in the subject has arisen. People understand and know more about sheep. This is also accompanied by an appreciation for the animals, producers and product. During the design process, feedback from the community and our experienced sewers was also important to us in order to develop a product that really meets people's needs for insulation, safety and warmth and is beautiful and functional at the same time.
Physical or other transformations
Innovative character
The use of local breeds and the refinement of this wool is the big goal. To turn this resource, which until now has been treated as a kind of waste, back into what it is, an incredibly valuable, noble, historical and sustainable fibre. The great innovation lies in our approach to have succeeded in producing a padding for jackets from this particular fibre, thus conquering a completely new field of application. The more applications we find for this local fibre, the more valuable it becomes for the economy itself and new opportunities arise.
The widespread use of plastic padding up to now is harmful to the environment, usually has long journeys behind it and also has many disadvantages in the way it feels to wear. Wool has been keeping us warm and dry for thousands of years. And bringing this back into the outdoor sector not only helps the environment through less pollution from production, wearing and disposal, but also brings people back into contact with what they go out for - nature itself.
Learning transferred to other parties
We do not stop at the padding for the 3Dx collection, but are always on the lookout for new and further areas where we can make wool a valuable raw material. Our knowledge of wool and the properties of the different breeds makes us an innovation driver, because we manage to combine our knowledge with the latest process technologies and thus make this knowledge available to third parties for their products. In this way, beyond our own projects, we enable others to benefit from the advantages of European wool and establish its value on a broad scale. We hope that our example will motivate others to use the knowledge, raw materials and available human resources effectively and thus become part of a world that recognises and appreciates the value of each individual, whether human, animal or plant, in the system. These are very general values that can also be transferred. But the most important thing is probably the return to our knowledge and values and the possibility to think small and thereby create a butterfly effect that helps us all.
