Wool & Natural Fiber Mini Mills – the Cottage Industry that Could, and Does!
At one point in the not so distant past, the United States was the world’s largest processor of wool-based textiles. Throughout the country, there were large wool processing mills, either taking raw wool and turning it into fabrics and felts or dyeing and finishing those fabrics to make blankets, suiting, outerwear, knit apparel processing felts, fillers and a whole host of other applications for wool fibers.
Sadly, clothing and fashion trends, expensive mills, expensive processing, and burdensome environmental concerns all combined to significantly reduce the United States Wool Industry, and drive much of the processing overseas. But not anymore!…
The rise of the “Mini Mill” in the last 15 years has reversed that trend and brought American made wool back into the market – albeit on a more local and “hands-on” scale.
A Fiber Mini Mill is a smaller, modular version of an industrial wool processing mill. These mills process a variety of fibers for local or regional farmers looking to convert their fleece into yarn or felt. Typical Mini Mill processing can include Carding, Blending, Drawing, Drying, Fiber Separation, Picking, Spinning, Steaming, Scouring, and Dyeing – all done on modular equipment designed and configured to optimize efficiency while maximizing the aesthetic appeal that is so unique to these beautiful fibers.
Organic Dyes and Pigments LLC has been a major supplier of colorants and processing chemicals to the global woolen industry for well over half a century. The explosive growth in Mini Mills and the Cottage Spinning Industry is driven by many factors – the desire for authenticity, reduction of footprint, artistic expression, and uniqueness. Organic’s range of offerings is the discerned choice for processing wool, alpaca, llama, mohair, and many other natural fibers.
Let ORCO’s technical experience, proven products, easy ordering, and quick shipments help you to realize your dream.
For complete technical information on our Mini Mill Product Line, click HERE
EccoscourTM WA-305
Our Most Popular Wool Scouring Agent. Eccoscour™ WA-305 is a carefully formulated biodegradable nonionic detergent and scouring agent for natural and synthetic fabrics and fibers. Eccoscour™ WA-305 is our most popular raw-wool scouring agent and is especially effective for the removal of grease and lanolin from natural fibers helping facilitate the recovery of those valuable by-products for other uses.
Syntholube™ RT-8
Our Most Popular Wool Lubricant and Anti-static Agent. Syntholube™ RT-8 is a highly concentrated nonionic synthetic lubricant and anti-static for wool, woolen blends and all synthetics. Syntholube™ RT-8 is ideal as a combing and pre-carding lubricant that contains no mineral oils, is non-yellowing, scours out easily, is biodegradable, and has no adverse effects on dyeing.
LenospinTM SDS-85-2 Spin Cohesion Agent
LenospinTM SDS-85 is a concentrated liquid nonionic cohesive agent for hair and synthetic fiber processing. This product is specifically engineered to aid in processing wool, mohair, alpaca and other natural hair fibers. It is also widely used for synthetic fibers that include nylon, acrylic, polyesters, rayon, polypropylene, and blends
For further information:
Contact us via our CONTACT BUTTON or call 401-404-4164 for Technical Bulletins and Samples
You can purchase small quantities of dyes appropriate for wool and natural fibers at W. Cushing & Co (www.wcushing.com) and Still River Fiber Mill (www.stillrivermill.com)