From energy to food, consumer polls have demonstrated an insatiable hunger for anything linked with sustainability, and for Australian wool this is all good news.

To answer the call, Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) and Woolmark have teamed with a number companies to produce fabrics from Australian Merino that require less environmentally damaging cleaning and are set to launch a collection of men’s clothing to Japan in the coming month.

The range, Australian Merino field collection, has been created by the Japanese apparel group Onward Kashiyama in conjunction with AWI and Acron of Lion Corporation.

It will feature suits, jackets and knitwear made from high-quality Australian Merino. Craig Welsh, AWI’s CEO explained, “Australian Merino is a sustainable resource, based as it is on the simple conversion of sunlight, water, soil nutrients and green grass into a soft natural fibre.

“Australian Merino is the perfect fibre for partners such as Onward Kashiyama to reinforce its brand’s eco credentials and provide customers with a natural choice for their apparel textiles.

“AWI and The Woolmark Company are clearly focused on working with industry partners to deliver innovative products which meet the needs of the consumers of today, and tomorrow.

The knitwear collection features the innovative Water Treatment (WT) Knitwear created by Acron of Lion Corporation, a treatment that enables buyers to wash the garments safely at home without damaging the look and feel, while easily removing water soluble dirt and perspiration.

As part of its commitment to the environment, Onward will also donate a percentage of proceeds from the sale of Australian Merino Field collection sold under the brands Gotairiku and J. Press, to Australian Landcare Management (ALMS), an environmental protection group devoted to managing Australian land and soil, and to protecting the environment.

Customers buying products featuring WT will also receive a complimentary sample bottle of Acron and the Acron hand-washing handbook to encourage people toward environmentally friendly hand-washing over dry cleaning.

Acron is a detergent for fashion clothing made by Lion Corporation that features a high level of biodegradability. After it is released into the environment, it breaks down into water and carbon dioxide. The ASP ingredient works to retain the style of the garments. It minimizes the formation of creases and twisting, and reduces shrinking, fading of colours and static electricity.

Further environmental initiatives in the Australian Merino Field collection include tags on the WT Knit clothes made from paper printed with soy ink, which is made principally from soy oil and will not emit harmful volatile organic ingredients into the atmosphere.