Neither of these articles is new, but it is interesting to see how scientists and students are researching ways to utilise and process Irish wool so that it does not continue to be a waste product.

Regenerative Value Systems for Irish Grown Wool in Ireland (REVEIRE) Funded

University College of Cork announced that researcher Dr Archishman Bose’s three-year project, Regenerative Value Systems for Irish Grown Wool in Ireland (REVEIRE), received funding of €657,403.  

The project will conduct a comprehensive sustainability assessment of Irish-grown wool, including the value created by a scouring facility within Ireland.

“Irish wool, typically characterised as ‘strong wool’, can have wide applications in textiles, packaging, environmental, and high-value materials. This project, by undertaking a comprehensive sustainability assessment of Irish grown wool, will provide data and evidence to inform Government policies, initiatives and investments required for regenerating the Irish grown wool industry for a sustainable circular bioeconomy.”

Information about Dr Bose’s research is towards the bottom of the page – https://www.ucc.ie/en/news/2025/ucc-researchers-awarded-23m-for-new-research-to-address-climate-and-environmental-challenges.html

For more information and an interview with Dr Bose, there is the interesting article in Farmers’ Journal – https://www.farmersjournal.ie/new-project-to-examine-irish-wool-and-scouring-860269

Student Research

In January, Transition Year students from Co Sligo were awarded for their research on how sheep wool can be used in the concrete industry as a strengthening material.

Typically, polypropylene is used to prevent cracks in concrete; however, the students discovered that concrete mixed with wool surpassed polypropylene in both durability and strength.

Their project was inspired by the students’ experiences of not being able to sell wool from their family farm. Aoife Fadian states, “It is selling at about 10c/kg, even if it’s selling at all. Farmers all around Ireland are really struggling with what to do with it.”

To read about their inspiring project, visit this page on the Agriland website – https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/sligo-students-to-take-sheep-wool-and-concrete-project-large-scale/

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