International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO) held an event in Italy from April 9 to 11, 2019. The event combined Italy’s rich wool heritage with the latest research and developments in wool applications. More than 320 delegates, representing all stages of the global wool textile pipeline, attended the annual three-day event. The program highlighted developments in wool traceability, transparency in the supply chain, and research on wool’s contributions to health and wellness, but sustainability took center stage.
Beginning with Woolcool’s presentation on how wool insulation provides more stable climate control for international shipment of vaccines, a session devoted to health and wellness also featured research into the ways in which wool baselayers provide a more stable microclimate for eczema sufferers. The session concluded with a presentation of NASA’s rigorous studies testing the merits of different fibers for the conditions of life in space, along with Armadillo Merino’s occasionally graphic footage of the consequences of omitting wool baselayers from next-to-skin clothing for tactical operators and professionals performing in high risk environments. Other sessions covered wool market intelligence.
The third day was hosted by Benetton while a visit to the Marzotto Group, a global leader in the production of high quality fabrics for men’s and women’s clothing, provided insight into one of the biggest users of fine wool.
