Sheep’s wool, one of the oldest textile materials, is being reimagined for high-performance filtration. In collaboration with NASA, New Zealand-based company Lanaco has developed a wool-based filter system for use in spacecraft. This innovation shows how natural fibres can compete with, and even outperform, synthetic materials in extreme conditions.
The development responds to a critical safety challenge. After a fire in a spacecraft, harmful gases and fine particles remain in the air. Astronauts on the Orion spacecraft cannot move to another module, so they must rely on effective filtration. NASA contractor Amentum worked with Lanaco to improve the filters used in emergency firefighting masks.
Lanaco’s “Helix” filter uses sheep’s wool as its core material. Wool offers several natural advantages. It resists fire, inhibits bacterial growth, and manages moisture very effectively. These properties make it suitable for environments with high humidity and airborne contaminants.
Engineered wool fibres can both absorb and repel moisture. This creates a hydrophobic effect within the filter structure. As a result, the material remains stable and efficient, even after exposure to water from fire suppression systems. In addition, Lanaco improves performance at the source by breeding sheep for optimised fibre quality.
Although developed for space missions, the wool filter has quickly found applications on Earth. Demand for advanced filtration increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lanaco’s technology is now used in industrial respirator masks. These masks protect users in environments such as construction sites and workshops.
The material also performs well in medical settings. Hospitals often deal with humid air and airborne particles from exhaled breath. Wool’s moisture management makes it suitable for these conditions. The filters are also being integrated into home and portable air purification systems.
This development highlights the growing role of biobased materials in design and engineering. Wool is renewable, biodegradable, and widely available. It offers a lower-impact alternative to petroleum-based filtration media.
For product designers, architects, and engineers, this innovation demonstrates the potential of natural materials in technical applications. It also shows how traditional fibres can be enhanced through modern engineering. As sustainability becomes a key priority, such materials offer new opportunities for circular and responsible design.
Source: NASA Spinoff
Photos: Nasa / Lanaco / Magda Ehlers