Among Sheep
Applications for Wool Fat
Description
Although German wool is hypoallergenic and well tolerated by people with sensitive skin, globalised manufacturing and marketing processes have made it an unused waste product. Another natural by-product, wool fat, is often overlooked. It has antibacterial, moisturising and anti-inflammatory properties. ‘Unter Schafen’ explores the potential of the natural combination of wool fibres and wool fat in a technical, health-promoting textile. The material development “FatPad” is at the interface of product design, as it deals with the design of possible applications of a greasy wool felt in the treatment of inflamed skin. A seamlessly knitted sleeve (Koop. Knitting Mill Bache) protects the skin from external influences and uncontrollable itching, while the FatPad (Koop. Felt factory Fulda) moisturises the skin in the crook of the arm and helps to reduce inflammation.