Scottish Wool Firm to Build Eco-Textile Mill

July 13, 2007 - Smiths of Peterhead, a Scottish wool spinner and weaver, plans to build a new eco-friendly textile factory next year.

The company, which showed its first organically-certified wool yarn at last week?s Pitti Filati in Florence, has been working out of its 140-year-old Kirkburn Mill since it took over the business of Thomas Smith and Co. two years ago.

But now, the company has drawn up plans for a new 33,400 square foot woolen mill which would include weaving, dyeing and blending along with its own water treatment plant.

?We did a huge amount of research in planning the building, and apart from the environmental aspects it just makes good business sense as it will save us money,? said Smiths? managing director, Marian Shildrick.

In addition to the green factory approach, Smiths of Peterhead also plans to look at its processing routes and choose sustainable alternatives to some of its current chemicals used in dyeing, and it will further investigate the organic wool side of the business after recent interest at Pitti Filati.

?The core part of our strategy will not change in terms of product, but will focus on best practice for both the business and the environment. Organic is still a small part of the wool industry,? said Rodland.

The company hopes that the new facility will be up and running in the second half of 2008 if all goes according to plan.
Partially reprinted from EcoTextile News, UK

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