Wol Fabryk Fryslân
From Frisian sheep wool to a new, circular future
For years, Weids Wonen & Slapen has been committed to the use and reuse of natural materials. From this conviction, the idea emerged to do something with a raw material that for a long time received hardly any value in the Netherlands: sheep wool.
Together with local partners, Wol Fabryk Fryslân was therefore established. An innovative and local initiative in which Frisian sheep wool is collected, washed, processed, and repurposed into high-quality products.
The goal is clear: to give wool value again and build a local, circular wool chain.
The role of Weids Wonen & Slapen
Weids Wonen & Slapen is one of the initiators and driving forces behind Wol Fabryk Fryslân. From our years of experience with wool duvets, pillows, and other natural sleep products, we know the value of wool like no other.
At the same time, we saw that something had to change on the other side of the chain. Sheep wool often yields hardly anything for farmers, and a large part of the wool is still disposed of or processed outside the Netherlands.
We believe this can be done differently.
By bringing the processing of wool closer to the source, we want to contribute to a chain in which farmers can receive a fairer price for their wool and in which the raw material is processed locally into new products.
From farmer to consumer
Within Wol Fabryk Fryslân, work is underway on a complete local chain. Frisian sheep wool is collected from local sheep farmers and then sorted and processed.
Suitable wool can be washed and processed into, for example, VulWol, WonderWol, and other wool products. Wool that is not suitable for these applications can be processed into other circular products, such as wool hydro pellets.
Used wool products also get a new destination. Through WolRetour, consumers can return their old wool duvets and pillows. The wool is then cleaned and reused. In this way, the valuable raw material remains in the chain for as long as possible.
WolRetour: from old to new
Weids Wonen & Slapen has been active for years in taking back used wool duvets and pillows. With WolRetour, this method is further expanded within the new wool chain.
An old wool duvet no longer has to mean the end of the line. The wool can be recovered and repurposed for new applications.
In this way, we are working step by step towards a system in which wool is not seen as waste, but as a valuable raw material that can be used again and again.
Innovating together
Wol Fabryk Fryslân is a collaboration between various parties. Every partner brings their own knowledge and expertise.
Weids Wonen & Slapen brings years of knowledge of wool, sleep products, consumers, and the market. In addition, we work together with technical and agricultural partners to further develop production, processing, and logistics.
Digitalization also plays an important role in this. By automating processes concerning production, inventory, orders, and sales, a scalable foundation is created for the further development of the wool chain.
The ultimate goal is a future-proof chain in which local raw materials, innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainability come together.
A future for Frisian wool
With Wol Fabryk Fryslân, we want to show that there is also room in the Netherlands for a new way of dealing with raw materials.
From the Frisian sheep farmer to the product at the consumer: we want to organize as many steps locally as possible and preserve the value of wool.
In doing so, we are not only building new products, but also a stronger regional economy, more appreciation for local raw materials, and a circular future for Frisian wool.
Co-funded by the European Union
The Wol Fabryk Fryslân project is co-funded by the European Union under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Together we are working on a future where Frisian wool is no longer a residual product, but a valuable raw material with a new destination.
