Densely-Packed Wool Processed Overseas

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31587, 26 January 1968, Page 1

Densely-Packed Wool Processed Overseas

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, January 25. Densely-packed New Zealand wool has been processed successfully by two mills in the United States and Sweden.

“The results of the trials have been gratifying and we will be arranging further shipments,” the deputy chairman of the Wool Board (Mr B. S. Trolove) said last night. The baled wool was put through a prototype 500-ton dump press built at Auckland. The scoured wool was shipped at a density of 361 b to the cubic foot and the greasy wool at 401 b, compared with the normal densities of about 201 b.

The wool was packed in containers, the saving in cargo space being close to 40 per cent. In November, 96 bales went to Sweden and 119 to South Carolina. "The Swedish mill, which

took 82 bales of scoured wool, found there was no" difference whatever in processing, and they achieved the same output and characteristics in the spun yarn,” said Mr Trolove. “The American carpet mill found the wool opened well and blended well. They say everyone was impressed with the size and shape of the bale, and they have asked for future shipments to be packed this way.” There were still some problems. however, Mr Trolove said. The tie bands had been cutting the jute packing, all wing jute fibres to mix with the wool. The board’s shipping manager (Mr M. J. Slessor) would be giving this special attention in future trials.