ARTIFICIAL WOOL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 4417, 10 November 1934, Page 1

ARTIFICIAL WOOL.

The prospects of Germany's efforts to introduce a substitute for wool are discussed in the Imperial Economic Committee’s “Wool Intelligence Notes” for September, and alarmist reports are discounted. The principal of these substitute fibres is known as “vistra,” a viscose fibre which is mixed with wool in equal proportions, the mixture being known as “Woolstra.” A higher proportion of vistra in the mixture produces unsatisfactory results. The tissues made from the substitutes are strong and of good appearance, but they are admittedly deficient when compared with. aIl--vvool fabrics. They crease easily, garments made from them are liable to lose their shape, and their wearing properties are unsatisfactory. Moreover, they do not possess the valuable hygroscopic properties of an all-wool tissue. In normal times such tissues as have been seen would be employed only for the low clothing trade. It is unlikely that they will find an outlet in foreign markets, unless the price advantage is considerable, which is not the case at the moment.