RESPONSIBLE PRODUCTION

The appreciation of sheep wool as a genuine natural product has been increasing. The demand for yarns and products made the wool of Finnish sheep breeds, Finnsheep and Kainuu grey, is particularly growing strongly. This is due to greater appreciation of ecological values among consumers, and an increased popularity and appreciation of handicrafts as a hobby in Finland and abroad. In addition, in Finnish sheep farming, special attention is already paid to the welfare of sheep by law.

To meet consumer expectations and demand, Pirtin Kehräämö has carried out a three-year development project that involved investing in more efficient production and particularly ecological production and low carbon footprint.

We are the largest Finnish wool processing company with spinning mills located in Hiirola and, as of early 2021, also in Jämsä. The wool yarn sold under our Villalanka brand is spun from Finnish sheep wool that is purchased directly from sheep farms around the country.

A significant part is scoured in England. The plant we use is modern and, among other things, closed-loop in terms of water. A similar service is not available in Finland. Batches intended for sheep breeders’ own use and other special wool batches are washed in Hiirola at eco-friendly low temperatures with water heated with geothermal heat. Hydropower is used for all electricity used in Hiirola and Jämsä, and the spinning mill itself is heated up with geothermal heat. Special attention has been paid to energy efficiency in the spinning mill operations. The goal is a carbon-neutral production process, in which Finnish natural products are manufactured using renewable energy. Our latest upgrade was the European-made solar panels installed in Hiirola in August 2024.

According to a thesis commissioned in the winter of 2025, the annual carbon footprint of the entire Hiirola spinning mill is equivalent to one and a half times the annual carbon footprint of a Finn.

At the Jämsä factory, district heat produced by renewable energy is used to heat the property and water.

Eight of the wool colours are created by mixing natural wool colours and the remaining colourways are dyed by a carefully selected subcontractor in Finland. The dyes used meet the strict requirements of the EU REACH legislation. We use paper bands on our skeins, which are packed in recyclable paper bags for transport. Any waste wool generated in wool production can be reused in the production of carded yarn, which minimises the amount of wool waste.