SYNTHETIC WOOL

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21036, 12 February 1940, Page 9

SYNTHETIC WOOL

WARNING TO GROWERS SYDNEY, Feb. 12 Only the limitations of present-day chemistry prevent the manufacture of fibres having the essential molecular structure of wood, according to Mr M. R. Freney, wool research , chemist at the McMaster Laboratory lin Sydney. He says that when the secret of this structure is discovered, I as it must be in time, artificial fibres I will be produced with all the properties of the genuine product of the J sheep. | "I do not think,” says Mr Freney, “ that the cellulose or synthetic fibres | will develop so that they have the | characteristics of wool, and at the j same time be able to compete with ! wool economically. The protein fibres, j however, are in a different category, j Crude protein material is cheap, and j enormous supplies might be obtained i from the fish of the sea. This source 1 is an international one which could ! be drawn upon by any nation, and so j it could serve as an abundant source | of cheap raw material. | “ Wool's best defence against these I possible developments,” says Mr j Freney, “ is to lower production costs J to such an extent that the makers of i artificial fibres have little margin for j profit, thus removing the incentive j lor imitating wool as a textile fibre.

Wool’s disadvantages must also be removed so that it will become more popular—these disadvantages are shrinkage, susceptibility to moth attack, and prickliness.”