Vegan Alternatives to Wool

Wool is valued for its warming and breathable qualities. But have you ever wondered what goes into wool production? It requires large amounts of land and water, and the effort varies depending on the region.
If you’re looking for a vegan and more eco-friendly alternative, we’ll show you some of our favourites that are animal-free, resource-efficient, and still beautifully soft.

Weganool

COTTON AND CALOTROPIS GIGANTEA

Weganool is a groundbreaking plant-based material developed as a cruelty-free and more sustainable alternative to cashmere. It offers the same cosy comfort but without the use of animal products. Made from 70% organically grown cotton and 30% fibres from the Calotropis Gigantea plant, which thrives in arid soils, it requires neither water nor pesticides.

An impressive feature is its low water consumption: producing 1 kg of Weganool saves 9,000 litres of drinking water compared to conventional wool. Additionally, local production in rural areas not only supports biodiversity and soil regeneration but also provides extra income opportunities for local communities. Did you know that the plant waste is turned into a natural insect repellent?

Nettle

NETTLE FIBRES

Nettle fibres are a true insider’s tip! They grow quickly, require minimal care, and are a more eco-friendly alternative to wool. What’s particularly remarkable is the versatility of the fibres: they are breathable and comparable to high-quality linen, while also giving fabrics a silky sheen. As a perennial plant that thrives on almost any soil, nettles don’t need harmful pesticides. Thanks to their hollow fibre structure, nettles provide natural insulation, making them ideal for clothing that is comfortable to wear in both summer and winter.

Woocoa

COCONUT AND HEMP 

A team of Colombian university students has developed a wool alternative made from coconut and hemp. Woocoa is a vegan wool material created from hemp and coconut fibres, and it won the PETA prize for animal-free wool at the Biodesign Challenge in 2018. The material is produced using enzymes from oyster mushrooms and is completely free from harmful chemicals.
In Colombia, coconut fibres are agricultural by-products, so the production of Woocoa not only recycles waste but also creates fair jobs. Coconut products have proven to be a good wool substitute, as shown by Nullarbor, another vegan wool made from coconut by-products.

Nullarbor

COCONUT AND ORGANIC COTTON

Nullarbor is created through a fermentation process that transforms plant-based by-products from coconut processing into a fine yarn. The result is a material similar in structure and feel to cotton or wool, yet it requires significantly less land, water, and energy. Since the coconut fibres are a by-product, no additional cultivation is needed, which optimises resource use. Particularly noteworthy is the short production time – it’s many times faster than animal wool, which can only be harvested seasonally.

If you’d like to learn more about how sustainable wool really is, check out our blog for more insights and background information.