Celebrating 5 years of working with Swedish Wool
The Context
Sweden imports over 1,700 tons of wool annually, while more than half of its domestic wool is discarded — a significant waste of a valuable resource. This wool could be utilised to supply Swedish industries with locally sourced, biobased, and recyclable material. Since 2020, Tiger of Sweden has collaborated with Axfoundation through the Swedish Wool Initiative, driving change to create competitive, high-quality Swedish wool for various industries. Now entering its second phase, the initiative aims to enhance resource efficiency in the wool value chain and enable the production of circular products in sectors such as construction, furniture, fashion, outdoor, and home decor. Together, stakeholders across the value chain are working toward the vision of zero waste of Swedish wool.
"The Swedish Wool Initiative demonstrates how innovation can contribute to sustainable textile production. It has been fascinating to see how Tiger of Sweden has skillfully crafted woven fabrics from this unique fibre source. Their dedication to quality and sustainability is inspiring, and this project highlights the potential for innovative materials in high-end fashion."
- Johan Sidenmark, project manager for the Swedish Wool Initiative at Axfoundation.
Where our Swedish Wool Journey began
This year we celebrate 5 years of working together with Swedish Wool, which started with our Fall Winter 2021 Collection. By using Swedish wool, Tiger of Sweden is using an unused resource that guarantees animal welfare under Swedish law and ensures European production – from fibre to final product. Using these natural resources on a local level is a great way to learn about the environmental footprint of a product and value the craftsmanship that goes into producing a wool garment.
With our heritage in tailoring and commitment to quality craftsmanship, we worked closely with Ullkontoret Wash House and Intespra Mill to ensure the best solutions when working with this unique fibre. This resulted in a collaborative journey to enhance the quality of Swedish Wool used in our garments.
Ullkontoret Wash House, Gotland, Sweden
Former Architect Jenny Andersson and former Builder Hans Bulthuis moved to Gotland in 2010 and quickly became aware of the amount of Swedish Wool which was going unused. After an initial attempt to combine the wool with clay and create a unique building material, they realised that the first step to working with this wool would be to start with a scouring mill and the rest is history.
‘’Our interest in Swedish wool took us on an adventure to Spain, where we found older machinery which would work significantly better for this weight of fibre. Unlike modern scouring machinery, these unique European models are built for thicker wool and are more suitable for Gotland. After 3 years of assembling this unique machinery, we started scouring in 2016 and haven’t looked back’.
- Hans Bulthuis, Ullkontoret
Working with Swedish Wool for the first time presented many challenges, particularly when designing tailored outerwear; however, we were committed with both Ullkontoret and Intespra to highlight the natural purity of this fibre without compromising the cut and finish of the final product. Intespra worked closely with our design team to develop innovative ways of increasing the performance and quality of Swedish Wool.
Intespra Mill, Prato, Italy
Founded in 1983 by Alessandro Cenci and Franco Raggiani, on the foundations of a historic wool mill, Intespra continues to specialise in woollen fabrics and carded yarns. All fabrics are studied, developed and manufactured in this historic textile district, giving the guarantee of a product made with centuries-old ability and know-how. The company uses the best raw materials from all over the world but also recycled wool obtained from the reuse of old clothes, in compliance with its objective of respecting the environment and safeguarding natural resources.
‘’This was our first time working with Swedish Wool and we had to learn and adapt to working with this unique fibre. It took a lot of investigation on how we could spin this fibre and processes had to be changed. We were overwhelmed with the final quality of the garment’’.
- Alessandro Cenci, Intespra
Fall Winter Collection 2025 – New Innovations
For our Fall Winter 2025 collection, Tiger of Sweden collaborates with two Swedish wool producers to create unique and sustainable yarns. Unlike previous seasons, where wool was sent for processing and weaving in Italy, this year, we have been directly involved in producing finished spun yarns in partnership with Ullkontoret and Klippan. The wool comes exclusively from Swedish farms and is 100% Swedish Wool, although the washing and spinning processes are conducted outside Sweden.
Tiger of Sweden x Klippan: A Successful Innovation Story in Wool Processing
Together with Klippan, Tiger of Sweden has developed an innovative approach to processing Swedish wool that was previously considered unsuitable due to high levels of vegetable matter.
The concept for Swedish worsted yarn originated at the kitchen table of a wool broker at Västkustens Ullinsamling in Laholm, Sweden. The wool broker had excess wool, unsellable due to excessive plant residues resulting from top-tier animal welfare practices in Sweden. Meanwhile, Klippan Yllefabrik sought high-quality wool for fashion buyers who wanted softer Swedish yarn.
Previously, Klippan Yllefabrik rejected wool with high levels of vegetable matter, knowing that debris persisted even after washing, carding, and spinning. By introducing an additional step - combing the wool - the plant residues could be effectively removed, resulting in a soft and pliable worsted yarn. This yarn is now used in woven fabrics, offering smooth and lightweight materials suitable for tailored garments. This breakthrough opens new avenues in the Swedish wool industry.
"Swedish wool has traditionally been relegated to coarser materials and stuffing. This new worsted yarn, however, offers something entirely different - a fine yarn from Swedish wool, crafted in Europe, ideal for sustainable fashion. It's slightly thinner and perfect for knitting warm sweaters among other things. It's a massive waste of resources to discard Swedish wool simply because it contains excess straw residue. Klippan Yllefabrik has found a solution by combing the wool and removing these plant parts, a step towards a sustainable fashion industry’’.
- Gösta Magnusson, Chairman of Klippan Yllefabrik
A Further Step Towards Sustainability and Transparency with Digital Product Passports
Starting with our Fall Winter 2025 Collection, we have partnered with Nilörn and their new traceability tool, CONNECT™, to take our first steps towards creating a Digital Product Passport. Explore more.
A Continued Process
Tiger of Sweden's innovative use of previously underutilized Swedish wool represents a new era in sustainable fashion. By investing in local fibers and advancing their processing, Tiger of Sweden is leading the way in turning overlooked resources into luxury garments, bridging tradition and innovation.
"The Swedish Wool Initiative is a prime example of innovation bolstering sustainable textile production. However, such strides wouldn’t be possible without uniting the entire value chain, from sheep farms to industry. By aligning Swedish wool processing with industrial needs, we pave the way for sustainable products across various sectors, particularly fashion."
- Johan Sidenmark, project manager for the Swedish Wool Initiative at Axfoundation.
"This project has been a perfect match for us at Tiger of Sweden. Wool is one of our most used fibres and we are committed to improving the ways in which we work with this fibre within future collections. Working with Swedish Wool really helped our team to appreciate and understand the value of using this unused resource. We are also proud to have teamed up with Swedish Wool Initiative so that we can find more new innovative ways of working with Swedish Wool in the future’’.
– Linda Kåhed, Tiger of Sweden Sustainability & Innovation Manager/Production and Sourcing
"We are proud of what we have achieved through collaboration across the whole value chain. This worsted yarn is a prime example of innovation bolstering sustainable textile production. However, such strides wouldn't be possible without uniting everybody, from sheep farms to industry. By aligning Swedish wool processing with industrial needs, we pave the way for products made from Swedish wool across various sectors, particularly fashion.
With continued collaboration across the value chain, including sheep farmers, yarn producers and fashion companies, I am sure that we can grow the usage of Swedish wool in the future. We have our different areas of expertise which enable us to be think outside of the box and make unique products with this truly unique fibre’’.
- Gösta Magnusson, Chairman of Klippan Yllefabrik