Wool Source
Develops patented wool-based pigments for 3D printing filaments, offering a biobased alternative to synthetic colorants with 92-98% biobased carbon content.
- CEO / Founder
- Tom Hooper
- Team Size
- 11-50
- Stage
- Growth Stage
- Total Funding
- $9.34M
- Latest Round
- Grant
- Key Investors
- Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI); Wool Research Organisation of New Zealand (WRONZ)
Technology & Products
Key Products
Wool Source Pigments; WoolyFil (collaboration with KiwiFil)
Technological Advantage
Proprietary deconstruction technology retains wool's performance benefits at ultra-fine scales, creating pigments with high biobased carbon content (92-98%)—verified in partnerships with Kathmandu and KiwiFil. The IP is defensible via patents and trade secrets, while the natural, traceable wool source provides a unique sustainability moat difficult for synthetic pigment makers to replicate.
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Provides a traceable, biodegradable colorant that improves the environmental footprint of 3D printed parts without compromising printability, enabling brands to meet circular economy goals.
How They Differentiate
Uses a natural, wool-derived pigment with 92-98% biobased carbon vs competitors' recycled polymers or synthetic colorants; offers traceability and biodegradability from a renewable NZ wool source, whereas others focus on plastic waste reduction without novel bio-ingredients.
Market & Competition
Target Customers
3D printing filament manufacturers, sustainability-focused makers, bioplastics industry
Industry Verticals
3D Printing; Bioplastics; Print; Textiles
Competitors
Reflow; Filamentive; Proto-pasta
Growth & Milestones
Growth Metrics
Launched world-first wool-based 3D printing filament WoolyFil in collaboration with KiwiFil; expanded pigment applications into screen printing with Kathmandu.
Major Milestones
Formed as subsidiary of WRONZ (2021); Launched Wool Source Pigments; Partnership with Kathmandu for screen-printed t-shirts; Collaboration with KiwiFil for WoolyFil filament; First high-volume commercial export - 8 tonnes of wool particles to a Japanese personal care manufacturer; Secured $20M investment (incl. $8M NZ Govt Primary Sector Growth Fund) for new 1M kg/year Christchurch manufacturing facility, announced June 2026
Notable Customers
Kathmandu; KiwiFil