BLOW TO FARMER

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 257, 30 October 1929, Page 7

BLOW TO FARMER

ARTIFICIAL WOOL. French Claim Production Of Cheaper Article. TWO FACTORIES WORKING. (United P.A.—Electric Telegraph-Copyright) (Received 2 p.m.) LONDON,,,October 29. The British United Press learns that at Roubaix, in Northern France, local textile interests are concentrating their attention on two factories producing artificial 'wool. Thus far the manufacture is costing 10d to 1/ more than natural wool, but when the production methods have been brought ,to the highest efficiency, it is hoped the price will be 1/ below the cost of the natural product, while the production will be steady all the yeai round.

Vegetable fibre, similar to that used in pai)ennaking is the basis of the synthetic wool. It is first treated with a bisulphite, then thrown into a soda bath.

As it leaves the bath, the fibre has the appearance of torn, natural wool, but is allowed to remain some time before undergoing a secret process and treatment with sulphur carbon "\\liich produces a cellulose, agglomeration. The product from the final bath has a perfect resemblance to natuial, ciude wool. It can bo spun into a continuous thread, cut and carded like wool, and woven into cloth in exactly the same way. Apart from the two factories, other companies are being formed to exploit tlio new process.