Woolshed 
Woolshed: A New Era for Alpine Wool

Overview

Coarse wool, which is the rough, lower-quality wool typically not suited for fine textile production, is often discarded illegally or disposed of at high costs. WOOLSHED addresses this critical challenge by promoting innovation and cooperation among diverse stakeholders to transform this waste into a valuable resource. The project focuses on affordable, open-source, and user-friendly technologies to help small-scale wool processors and other businesses engage in the wool industry. Additionally, its focus on networking and design validates new economic opportunities for the Alpine region.

Factsheet

  • 2021 – 2027
  • Innovation and digitalisation supporting a green Alpine region
  • SO 3.1 - Developing and enhancing research and innovation capacities and the uptake of advanced technologies
    • AG2 Economic development
    • AG3 Labour market, education and training
    • AG6 Natural resources
  • 09/2024
  • 08/2027
  • 1.787.875 EUR
  • 1.265.906 EUR

Partners

  • 45.437190812.3345898
  • 46.20971956.1172762
  • 47.05838686.9080521
  • 46.111067312.1344657
  • 45.960918713.658593087279861
  • 45.530237513.6571696
  • 45.77008514.8350292
  • 48.199764316.345726
2

Outcomes


  • Design Marathons to conceive and create concepts and prototypes of new products using wool materials.

    5 Pilot areas: Veneto (IT); Zahodna Slovenija (SI); Rhône-Alpes (FR); Styria (AT), Genève/Neuchâtel (CH). The Design Marathons will focus on specific challenges, such as developing sustainable or innovative wool products for a particular sector or market. The results of the Design Marathons will be prototyped and tested to create a showcase innovative wool-based products and test results and evaluations of the prototypes, ensuring their practicality and viability for market entry.

  • New wool-based materials and products

    The project will support the development of new wool-based materials or products that are more sustainable and marketable. These products will be taken up or up-scaled by a variety of organisations, including fashion brands, home goods retailers, and construction companies.

  • Upgraded Pilot Processing Centres

    5 Pilot areas: Veneto (IT); Zahodna Slovenija (SI); Rhône-Alpes (FR); Styria (AT), Genève/Neuchâtel (CH). Adapted and enhanced pilot processing centres that will test the capabilities of new machinery and identified processing methods. The goal is to demonstrate the feasibility of these technologies and to provide training to businesses, designers, and entrepreneurs. These facility will also host a round of the Design Marathon aimed at prototyping new materials or products.

  • Innovative Products Pilot Supporting Programme

    5 Pilot areas: Veneto (IT); Zahodna Slovenija (SI); Rhône-Alpes (FR); Styria (AT), Genève/Neuchâtel (CH). O.1 establishes a collaborative knowledge platform for circular business models in the Alpine wool industry. Companies and professionals, selected through a transparent public call, directly contribute to the solution's development. Their collaboration results in refined standardised toolkits and training programs that will be disseminated to relevant stakeholders for wider adoption.

Project calendar

No upcoming events
    01 - 02 Mar 2025
    Shaping the Future of Alpine Wool: Highlights from ProVerzasca’s 2025 Workshop in Sonogno
    Project: Woolshed
    ProVerzasca’s Sonogno workshop united Alpine wool stakeholders, spurring sustainable production aims
    Woolshed Event 1-2 march 2025 lite
    05 Nov 2024
    Woolshed Kick off Event in Venice
    Project: Woolshed
    The Woolshed Project kicks off on November 5th, 2024, at IUAV University in Venice
    Woolshed kickOff picture

      Project news

      Wool Weekend in Sonogno

      23.02.2025
      On 1st and 2nd March 2025, join us for a weekend of wool discovery! We will visit processing sites,

      Woolshed Team Invited to the International Transitions Lab in Biella

      05.02.2025
      Woolshed joins International Transitions Lab to foster textile, fashion 4.0, and circular economy

      Woolshed Team at the AlpTextyles Partners Meeting in Biella

      15.01.2025
      Woolshed team attends AlpTextyles Partners Meeting in Biella to explore synergy in local wool & more

      Woolshed Project Kick-off: Have Your Say!

      05.11.2024
      Join the Woolshed Project: Share your insights to help us shape the future of wool innovation!

      Woolshed Kick off Event in Venice

      05.11.2024
      The Woolshed Project kicks off on November 5th, 2024, at IUAV University in Venice