Chemical fingerprinting for the origin of wool: British Wool’s partnership with Oritain

Here at British Wool, we pride ourselves on our wool heritage, and we are passionate about the provenance and traceability we can offer here in the UK. British Wool is pleased to officially announce their partnership with Oritain and now verify their woollen products using the latest scientific technology.

Oritain’s traceability technology determines the unique chemical pattern within the wool fibre which can distinguish the fibre’s origin straight to the farm. Our environment is made up of elements which are specific to the local climate and geological conditions. Sheep take up these elements from the soil, water and feed, according to where in the world they are reared. Forensic science can tell us the exact range and quantity of elements present in that particular wool fibre or finished wool product.

British Wool helps to maximize the returns on its wool by adding value through the supply chain as well as minimising the risk of price volatility by selling wool on behalf of the members at auctions throughout the year. We hope this partnership will add further value as the demand for transparency, social accountability and traceability continues to rise. The concept of “sustainability” has ceased to evoke its original intent. Rather, the word has become a catch-all; a generalised term akin to “protect our planet” or “go green”. Now as we enter a new decade, the vague attempts at feigning environmental responsibility are no longer acceptable. Consumers demand greater transparency and care to know if their purchases are actually sustainable.

How it works                                                            

Nature gives all things a unique code that tells us where they come from- all we need to do is decipher them. Oritain analyses these elements using world-leading forensic science. Their statistical data is translated into an ‘Origin Fingerprint’. British Wool can then use this unique fingerprint to trace the exact location that the wool has comes from. This then allows British Wool to authenticate genuine products that use British wool and aims to stop the misuse of ‘British wool’ being put on products containing foreign wools as well as other fibre types which mislead the consumer.

“At Oritain, instead of relying on the packaging to trace a product throughout the supply chain like many other traceability methods. We test the product itself. We’ve harnessed the power of science to provide business with a solution that helps them enhance their reputations and protect their products in market”.

This latest partnership will provide scientific proof of origin to the wool from 35,000 British sheep farmers as it goes through the international wool textile industry. Backed by British Wool’s quality mark, the ‘Shepherds Crook logo’, recognised by consumers for superior product performance, this mark now stands as a further testament to the continued investment made by British Wool to safeguard authentic British wool products and support British sheep farmers.