SchaWo

Duration

01.10.2024 - 31.03.2026

Biochar and flame retardants made from sheep's wool. Sheep are valuable creators of intact ecosystems in cultivated landscapes and are used for landscape conservation with state support. However, economic sheep farming is impossible. SchaWo is developing innovative products and business models as a solution.Sheep's wool has potential for value-adding utilization. The main components of wool are fiber proteins, keratins. Processes for the production of bioplastics, flame retardants, biofertilizers, printing inks or medical products are described in the literature. In SchaWo, the carbonization of wool is prioritized. This is a simple and well-researched process for many biomasses, so the technical challenges are low and the focus here is on the goal of a functioning marketing concept. In order to further increase the added value for rural areas, work is being carried out in parallel on a high-priced recycling option: Bio-based flame retardants (FSM). The aim of the project is to have identified at least 2 products, an FSM and a biochar, with their potential market. Partners should also be identified who will drive production forward. These are customers for the product and companies that want to build and operate the corresponding production facilities. To this end, questions regarding potential markets, logistics and organization as well as the potential of wool are clarified. This is done by continuously involving all potential partners along the value chain.