#Raw Materials
PANGAIA x NATIVARegen™ Merino Wool
PANGAIA x NATIVARegen™ Merino Wool
At the core of this collaboration lies the commitment to redefine the impact of Merino wool on the environment, animal welfare, and the communities involved in its production.
This blog explores the journey undertaken by PANGAIA and NATIVA™ as they introduce NATIVARegen™, an initiative that sets new standards for responsible wool sourcing.
Where science meets sustainability: PANGAIA
PANGAIA defines itself a materials science company, founded in 2018 by three friends who were passionate about sustainability and innovation. Their mission: create products that are good for the planet and good for people.
PANGAIA quickly became known for luxurious, planet-friendly loungewear. One of its best-loved products is a t-shirt reimagined in a seaweed/organic cotton blend. Another innovation is a down replacement made from flowers and biopolymer.
Recycled wool has been part of PANGAIA’s mix, and in 2022 partnered with NATIVA™ for its virgin wool supply.
NATIVA™ and NATIVARegen™
NATIVA™ guarantees certification of the entire wool production process. Part of the Chargeurs Group, NATIVA is a network of farms, mills, and industry partners that supplies certified wool.
NATIVA™‘s animal welfare commitments were especially important to the brand. And now, by partnering with NATIVARegen™, PANGAIA can further its commitments to social responsibility as well.
NATIVARegen™ was created in order to source wool from regenerative wool farms. This means a place-based, holistic approach that is tailored to the needs of each farm. The system uses data to ensure soil health, carbon capture, and biodiversity.
Throughout the NATIVARegen™ journey, sheep are raised ethically in harmony with nature. They graze on native plants and have space to roam. Each farmer has a management plan that assesses feeding, breeding, behaviour and health to ensure animal welfare standards are met. This includes stress-free shearing and no mulesing.
On the farm: Cerro Bombero
PANGAIA’s wool comes from Cerro Bombero, a family-owned NATIVARegen™ accredited farm based in Uruguay. Located 130km from the city of Paysandú, where Juan and his family live, 6000 Merino sheep are ethically raised in open fields.
The farm’s regenerative practices are measured through biogenic carbon and water footprint testing. Through these, PANGAIA is able to monitor the positive impact of the partnership at a field level.
Thanks to excellent climate and environmental condition in Uruguay, the sheep flock can graze all year round.
“We are so pleased to extend our relationship with PANGAIA, one of the most respected environmentally positive brands in the world,” says Nicolas Sapelli, NATIVA™ Sourcing Director.
“PANGAIA’s mission to design an earth positive business model where its products are better for the planet than if they did not exist perfectly aligns with NATIVA™’s. We are so proud of our NATIVARegen™ partner farm in Uruguay and we can’t wait for PANGAIA consumers to experience the world’s finest Merino wool knowing it has further improved the environment it came from.”
Traceability in the International Wool Industry
For more information on traceability in the wool industry around the world, take a look at our traceability page:
https://iwto.org/sustainability/traceability/
