Applications are open for the Innovation in Wool Awards 2026, offering more than £30,000 in prize funding to support commercially ready innovations that demonstrate the value and versatility of British wool.
Supported by the Campaign for Wool, the awards are organised by The Woolmen's Company Charitable Incorporated Organisation, The Company of the Merchants of the Staple of England Charitable Trust and the Lord Barnby Foundation. They recognise businesses and projects that are bringing new ideas to market while creating value for British wool producers.
The awards are seeking commercially viable products and businesses that use wool as the principal material and demonstrate genuine innovation. Applications are welcomed from a wide range of sectors, including apparel, interiors, construction, insulation, agriculture, aquaculture and scientific applications.
Successful entries should demonstrate one or more of the following:
- Deliver value to British wool farming
- Incorporate British wool fibre
- Use British manufacturing
- Show the potential volume of wool used in the first year of production and future growth plans
The judging panel will assess projects that are ready for commercial production or already trading. Applicants should have branding, packaging and marketing in place where appropriate, alongside any relevant intellectual property, research, trials and business plans.
Key dates
- Entry deadline: 31 July 2026
- Shortlisted presentations and interviews: 16 September 2026
- Awards announcement: 16 September 2026
Completed applications should be emailed to innovation@campaignforwool.org with the subject line "Innovation in Wool Awards".
Celebrating innovation across the wool supply chain
The Innovation in Wool Awards continue to showcase how British wool is being used in practical, commercially successful ways that create new opportunities for the industry.
The 2025 winner, Traditional Garden Growers, was recognised for Wooltiliser, an innovative pellet fertiliser developed using low-grade British wool. Created through research and development with the University of Reading, Wooltiliser transforms surplus, low-value fleeces into a natural fertiliser that slowly releases nutrients, improves soil structure and helps retain moisture, providing gardeners with a sustainable alternative to conventional chemical fertilisers.
The two runners-up also demonstrated the breadth of innovation taking place across the sector.
Wool Innovation International Group Ltd developed biodegradable wool tree guards for forestry, horticulture and commercial planting. Made from natural wool, the guards provide insulation for young trees, help deter deer, reduce the need for plastic products and offer natural fire-resistant properties.
Oxford Biopigments was recognised for its pioneering knitting yarn made from 100% British wool coloured using plant-based, mordant-free dyes. The company has developed a new generation of natural dyes that deliver durable, colourfast results without relying on heavy metals or petrochemical-based processes.
Enter the Innovation in Wool Awards 2026
If your business has developed an innovative commercial application for British wool, this is an opportunity to gain industry recognition while competing for a share of more than £30,000 in prize funding.
Further information and application details are available at the link below.
The closing date for entries is 31 July 2026.
