BioReWool: Engineering Biological Pathways for Next-Gen Keratin Fibres from Textile Waste

Project partners: Heriot-Watt University & Macnaughton Holdings

Project focus area: Waste recycling

BioReWool is aimed to develop a new biological method to recycle wool waste and turn it back into high-quality fibres. Textile waste is a growing global problem, with around 87% ending up in landfill or being burned. At the same time, wool production has a significant environmental impact due to land use, chemical processing, and methane emissions from livestock.

Traditional wool recycling relies on mechanical processes that damage the fibres, which means the recycled material is often lower quality and used in limited applications. BioReWool aims to change this by using natural enzymes to gently break down waste wool and rebuild it into regenerated keratin fibres. This process helps preserve fibre quality and allows the new fibres to be designed for strength, softness, and performance. The proposed approach could reduce the need for harsh chemicals, lower energy and water use, and even allow colour to be added during fibre production, removing additional finishing steps.

By recovering value from wool waste, BioReWool could support UK textile manufacturers while reducing environmental impact. The project supports national priorities in advanced materials, sustainable manufacturing, and the circular economy, helping create a cleaner and more sustainable future for textiles.

For more information

For more information on this project, contact us, or view all Engineering Biology SPARK Award winners.

This project funding is part of the Engineering Biology Innovation Network, led by Innovate UK Business Connect in collaboration with Innovate UK and UKRI’s Technology Mission Fund. The network’s goal is to progress innovations, create a commercially focused community and foster new consortia to advance innovations towards commercial applications.