Background:

Uan Wool is an Angus based, family run business producing and manufacturing pure 100% natural, luxury Scottish woollen cushion pads, pillows and bedding products.

The company was founded by Julie Hermitage, who also successfully runs a separate sheep farm located in Angus and set up 10 years ago.

Uan’s innovative high quality products are made from specially selected Scottish sheep breeds, utilising the wool’s natural properties to create temperature regulating, breathable and naturally flame retardant materials. 

Challenge:

The business owners had taken their products to a prototype stage and required external assistance to further develop its features via antimicrobial enhancement by investigating natural antimicrobial properties of wool. They were seeking an academic group with non-woven textiles and natural antimicrobial textile treatments expertise to assist in the technical development of the wool wadding required for their product prototypes.

Solution:

With help from Interface, Uan Wool, was successfully matched with Dr Lisa McIntyre from the School of Textiles and Design at Heriot-Watt University who had the crucial expertise in this field. This research project was funded by a £5k Scottish Funding Council Innovation Voucher.

Business Benefits:

Julie Hermitage, the founder and owner of Uan Wool, said:

“Interface were brilliant at taking me through the first stages of working with a university, helping to identify which one best suited my needs and going that extra bit to ensure successful engagement.  It can be hard at times especially with limited resources and time for both business and academia.  Since our initial engagement we now established a good working relationship with Heriot Watt and working with them in the future is key to our research and innovation needs for our business.”

Academic benefits:

Jim McVee, Business Development Manager at The School of Textiles and Design at Heriot-Watt University, added:

“The School of Textiles and Design at Heriot Watt has a strategic mandate to enhance and develop its knowledge exchange mechanisms. We very much appreciate the opportunity that the Interface vouchers presents in allowing us to work with Scottish start-up companies and entrepreneurs.

Working with Uan Wool has given us the chance to bring the clients’ product closer to market providing tangible outcomes while developing our own expertise.

Post project we will continue to provide Uan Wool with any further assistance it may require.”

Additional note:

Uan successfully launched their products earlier this year at the Royal Highland Show product in Ingliston.

The business is now seeking an independent seal of approval from the Allergy UK, to affirm the products health benefits to allergy and asthma sufferers.

Following this successful collaboration, the company is currently exploring any future opportunities of working with the same team at Heriot-Watt University.

Please note that Interface administers the Innovation Voucher Scheme on behalf of the Scottish Funding Council. All funding applications are reviewed on a case by case basis by the Scottish Funding Council, guidelines can be found here.