The properties of wool fibre, yarn, knitted fabric, and leather obtained from enzyme depilation of ovine skins

The goal of reducing wool processing effluent is important due to increasing environmental restrictions on chemicals with potential to pollute the environment. Two enzyme-based depilation formulae were trialled on sheepskins alongside the more polluting lime sulphide currently used by the leather industry. Wool, yarn, fabric and leather properties were evaluated, showing no significant differences between the methods, except a beneficial increase in fabric pilling resistance where enzyme-depilated wool was used. The enzyme approach is therefore a viable alternative in sheepskin depilation, with a lower environmental impact than traditional methods.