Built to Last, Designed to Sustain
The future is natural wool.
Strong Wool, Low Carbon
Independent research by AgResearch, commissioned by Wool Impact, shows New Zealand strong wool has a far lower climate impact than global averages suggest. When measured using the traditional GWP100 method, NZ strong wool carries a carbon footprint 46 percent lower than the generic values used in standard LCA software. Including the carbon naturally stored in the woody vegetation on sheep farms (nearly 20 percent of all sheep farmland) reduces that footprint by a further 29 percent.
Because most on-farm emissions come from methane, it’s important that methane is assessed accurately. Using GWP (Global Warming Potential), a method that recognises methane’s short-lived nature and the fact it decays within about 12 years, the actual warming impact of NZ strong wool drops by 84 percent. When this is combined with on-farm sequestration, the research shows NZ wool has added no additional warming over the past 20 years. In a world moving toward honest carbon accounting, this gives New Zealand wool a genuinely strong and scientifically defensible sustainability profile.
New Zealand’s investment in low-methane farming
New Zealand is also actively improving the environmental performance of its sheep sector. Around $80 million has been invested nationally in reducing agricultural emissions, with a major focus on lowering methane. This includes breeding sheep with naturally lower methane outputs, developing pasture mixes that reduce methane production in the rumen, and advancing promising treatments such as methane inhibitors and vaccines.
Because national sheep numbers have been declining for three decades, and methane reduces rapidly over time, these innovations work alongside natural herd trends to further limit warming. The result is a fibre grown in a system that is not only low-impact today, but on a clear pathway to getting even better - reinforcing why New Zealand strong wool remains one of the most future-fit natural fibres available.
Responsible farming, ethical sourcing
Big Wool works with New Zealand farmers who care for their land and their animals. The Big Rural’s own East Coast farms provide a traceable supply of strong wool, and across the country, the company pays a fair price - far above traditional wool rates - to ensure farmers can continue producing this remarkable fibre.
Customers aren’t just buying a materiaL, they’re supporting rural communities and regenerative land stewardship.
“As a sofa manufacturer, Depot partners with Big Wool because their commitment to New Zealand wool aligns perfectly with our own mission to build furniture that’s healthier, more sustainable, and made to last. Working with locally sourced wool gives us a material that performs incredibly well in everyday homes. It naturally regulates temperature, resists odours, and provides exceptional comfort thanks to its supportive structure and resilience.
From a production standpoint, wool is a dream, it’s naturally fire-retardant, hypoallergenic, and free from harmful chemicals. That means we can craft sofas that are safer for families, kinder to the planet, and designed for long-term durability. With the addition of wool, the sofas that we manufacture hold their shape beautifully, offering superior support while still delivering that soft, inviting feel customers love.
We’re equally proud to be part of an initiative that pays New Zealand farmers, knowing we’re helping strengthen local agriculture while creating premium products for Kiwi homes is a win for everyone. When we use New Zealand wool, we’re not just building sofas, we’re building value, community, and a better future for sustainable furniture.”
Danny Scaunich, Depot Furniture Pty Ltd.