The Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Energy in the Canadian state of Quebec has approved a major $700,000 subsidy for six Quebec-based businesses to prototype semi-finished and finished wool products, with TechniTextile Quebec spearheading the ambitious initiative to revitalise the province's domestic wool industry.
- The project was conceived by Canadian wool expert Jane Underhill of J Underhill Wool Inc in collaboration with Filature Lemieux to address common obstacles in the wool pipeline.
- TechniTextile Quebec, the province's technical textile materials cluster, aims to create a structured, competitive regional industry capable of producing sustainable, biodegradable textiles.
- The initiative consolidates efforts from six Quebec companies and fifteen Quebec farms using an integrated approach from sheep to shop.
WHAT'S AT STAKE: Quebec's textiles industry stands to regain its position in wool production after years of dependence on imports. The project represents an historic government investment in Canadian wool, reflecting changing values and commitments towards domestic production. Success could establish Quebec as a competitive force in sustainable textile manufacturing whilst reducing reliance on international suppliers and creating new market opportunities for local farmers.
- Quebec's textile industry comprises nearly 400 companies specialising in manufacturing textiles, textile-based products and knitted garments.
- The initiative aims to restore wool to its rightful place in Quebec's textiles industry after decades of decline.
CONTEXT FRAME: TechniTextile Quebec, created in 2017 as a cluster bringing together industrial, technical, scientific and government stakeholders in the technical textile materials sector, leads this comprehensive attempt to address the entire wool ecosystem. The project builds on Quebec's 150-year textile industry heritage, with Saint-Hyacinthe serving as a historic pillar of the province's textile sector. The initiative leverages cutting-edge expertise at CTT Group's Saint-Hyacinthe laboratory for wool characterisation and testing.
- TechniTextile Quebec is an initiative of the Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Energy's ACCORD programme.
- Most global research focuses on isolated components of the wool pipeline rather than integrated approaches.
- The project creates direct lines of communication from farm to finished product across the supply chain.
- Saint-Hyacinthe has maintained its position as a centre of textile excellence and innovation.
STRATEGIC SUBTEXT: The timing reflects government recognition of growing demand for sustainable, biodegradable textiles and the strategic value of domestic production capacity. By positioning Quebec wool as having unique properties including softness, suppleness, resilience and thermal control, the project aims to create distinctive market positioning against international competitors. The substantial government backing signals long-term commitment to rebuilding domestic textile infrastructure.
THE PROJECT: The technical and economic feasibility study involves comprehensive testing and development across multiple product categories over the next 12–18 months.
- More than 6,000 pounds of sheep fleece will be processed into spun, woven, knitted and braided products.
- The project will receive $358,000 from the Ministry through the ACCORD programme plus equivalent private investment.
- Wool samples will be tested at European laboratories and CTT Group's new testing facility for international benchmarking.
- Lemieux Spinning will conduct most spinning, analysis and yarn characterisation work as one of Canada's three remaining commercial spinning mills.
KEY TAKEAWAY: The Quebec wool industry project represents a comprehensive attempt to rebuild domestic textile capacity through integrated supply chain development. With substantial government backing and participation from established industry players, the initiative could establish a template for regional textile revitalisation whilst creating new opportunities for farmers and manufacturers. Success depends on proving the technical and economic viability of Quebec wool products in competitive markets.
