New Zealand sheepskins in demand
The demand for sheepskin has increased due to people choosing natural products over plastic and vegan alternatives, according to The New Zealand Herald.
One of the last remaining woolskin tanneries, Classic Sheepskins, located in Napier, which produces homewares, baby products, car seat covers, and woolly slippers said the company plans to increase production from 60,000 to 100,000 skins a year to keep up with the growing demand for its products.
Kieran Callaghan, the general manager of the tannery, believes that people are starting to come back to natural products because of the growing desire for product longevity and concerns about the impact of plastic on the environment.
According to Wool Impact CEO Andy Caughey, this resurgence of demand for natural products is due to people's preference for environmentally friendly and sustainable options.
The pandemic has also impacted the textiles market, and people are now considering the comfort level of their surroundings while spending more time at home. Natural fibres are preferred over plastics due to their tactile appeal and safe disposal. The wool industry is slowly making a comeback globally due to the increasing awareness of the impact of microplastics on the environment.
