Astino™: A new research program that adds value to wool for filtration.
Lanaco, a company that specializes in wool innovation, has developed Astino, a new research program that tailors sheep wool for its high-quality, wool-based filter media products. This gives farmers a chance to get better returns for their wool.
Breeder Andy Ramsden says Astino™ is a positive shift for the industry.
“It’s increasingly clear that supplying generic wool on the open market is not sustainable. The way forward for farmers is twofold – transitioning to innovative new breeds that are branded and controlled and forming partnerships with manufacturers like Lanaco, who have the global reach and marketing capability to earn a premium.”
The launch of the trademarked breed coincides with the opening of Lanaco’s new Auckland facility, a hub for research, product development and manufacturing from start to finish.
The facility, which also hosts Lanaco’s partner Healthy Breath Ltd, is a long-term investment that gives the company control of the whole supply chain – from farm to customer.
Lanaco CEO Nick Davenport says the breeding programme, manufacturing facility and partnership are essential to producing a premium product and capturing value in the supply chain.
“The road to high-value starts with on-farm breeding innovations developed for specific high-end products. At our Auckland facility, we maintain control of the integrity of the product and through partnerships we gain access to markets where our wool makes an immediate, positive impact on customer health.”
The Astino breed was created specifically for products like Lanaco’s signature Helix™ Filter, the key component in products like Healthy Breath Ltd’s MEO Mask, an anti-pollution facemask recently launched in several Asian markets.
“This is what moving up the wool value chain looks like,” says Davenport.
The main breeding goal of Astino™ involve making a wool with unique filtration benefits.
Ramsden, who has been breeding sheep for over 30 years, believes that the Astino™ is a breed that has the potential to be very successful in the South Island and encourages other farmers to follow suit.
“The future for farmers is up the value chain. Better returns are a result of aligning breeding and business decisions with the end-product in mind. That means transitioning to a premium, trademarked breed and partnering with a manufacturer that can build a value proposition around the raw material and take the final product direct to high-end consumers the world over.”
“Farmers are critical to the industry and produce arguably the world’s finest meat and fibre. They deserve a fair share of the value-added pie.”