13 May 2025

Restoring the fortunes of our struggling wool industry

From Nine To Noon, 9:20 am on 13 May 2025

An Avondale-based acoustic panel and insulation manufacturer has developed a sustainable wool product it hopes could restore the fortunes of the struggling industry. 

Autex Acoustics has spent the last four years developing a way to process wool sustainably. Manufacturing starts on a Hunterville farm - with a conscious focus on fertilizer minimisation and soil management. The whole process is carbon negative - meaning more CO2 is removed from the atmosphere than emitted during the manufacturing process.

So far Autex Acoustic produces insulation and acoustic panels, and last week opened a research and development Autex Future Lab to develop sustainable materials for commercialisation. This comes as wood producers respond with dismay to Bremworth's decision to re-introduce some synthetic carpets.

Autex creative director and Future Labs leader Jono Mountfort speaks to Kathryn. 

Auxtex creative director and Future Labs leader Jono Mountfort.

Auxtex creative director and Future Labs leader Jono Mountfort. Photo: Eddison Te Reo