Bollman Hat Company -
Wool Processing Trials
To continue being more competitive with plants around the world, Bollman will conduct scouring trials and research to ascertain the most efficient way to blend and process wool that maximizes cost and makes the wool comparable to the cost of wool processed in other countries.
The research will include maximizing energy efficiency, as well as all other costs associated with scouring wool. The scouring results of various blends will be provided the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI), to develop a knowledge base to be shared across the country. Also, U.S. wool producers have become increasingly dependent on exporting wools since there are a limited number of processors in the U.S. The buyers of U.S. wool have requested various scouring blends that the U.S. currently does not provide. This research will include developing blends which would be of interest and more competitive to foreign buyers.
The goals of this program will be to:
• Ascertain the most efficient blend of wool to maximize efficiency and develop a database, which will be shared with ASI.
• Develop at least 5 blends that can be scoured at a rate comparable to overseas costs.
• Learn new ways to scour that will add value to the wool and make it affordable for sales to overseas buyers.
• Develop new processing methods that maximize energy efficiency and increase production capacity.
• Market these wools overseas and develop new markets for US wools.