The Woolmark Company, part of Australian Wool Innovation, has been a pioneer in the wool industry, supporting the use of Australian Merino wool in textiles worldwide. Keen to grow their presence in South Asia as part of its Emerging Markets strategy, Woolmark has expanded its reach into Bangladesh, emphasizing the country’s potential as a key market in the region. Recently Textile Focus conversed with Stephen Hill, General Manager International for The Woolmark Company. Read the full conversation.
Textile Focus: Tell us about The Woolmark Company?
Stephen Hill: The Woolmark Company is the global authority on wool—we’re a subsidiary of Australian Wool Innovation and represent over 60,000 Australian woolgrowers. We’ve been around for more than 50 years now, working across the entire value chain, from farm to fashion, driving demand and innovation in wool.
What we’re really focused on is helping the textile and apparel industry shift to better materials—higher value, lower environmental impact—without sacrificing performance or profit margins. We partner with governments, brands, and manufacturers around the world, bringing together science, sustainability, and what actually works commercially.
Textile Focus: How can wool or Woolmark support the Bangladesh RMG sector?
Stephen Hill: Look, Bangladesh has built one of the most efficient apparel manufacturing ecosystems in the world that’s undeniable. But the next phase of staying competitive isn’t just about volume anymore. It’s about differentiating through materials and creating more value.
Wool and wool blends give Bangladeshi manufacturers a way to move up the value chain, reach premium buyers, and diversify beyond cotton and synthetics. Our role is to make it easier—we provide technical training, sourcing optimization, improve quality through certification, help build capabilities at the factory level, and support product development. The goal is to help manufacturers integrate wool into what they’re already good at: knits, denim, woven garments. This is not about replacing cotton or synthetics; it is about strategic fiber diversification aligned with global trends.
Textile Focus: How is wool currently used in Bangladesh Denim Industry and what are the latest wool blended yarn development?
Stephen Hill: Honestly, wool is still pretty early-stage in Bangladesh’s denim industry. But we’re seeing real momentum, especially with mills that are exporting to premium international brands.
Currently, wool is used mainly in flat-knit sweaters, made as winter wear while maintaining commercial viability. Recent developments focus on fine-wool-blended fabric suitable for lightweight, premium trans-seasonal denim an area of strong interest from European and East Asian buyers.
What’s interesting is that wool lets denim evolve beyond just being tough workwear. You get comfort, climate adaptability, great drapability and sustainability all things consumers are increasingly asking for.
Textile Focus: What is your future plan for the Bangladesh market?
Stephen Hill: Bangladesh is the primary market within our emerging market strategy. Going forward, we shall focus on building stronger partnerships with key reputable manufacturers and focus on providing all necessary support to make them part of the global wool supply chain.
We’re planning to work closely with a select group of spinners, fabric mills, and garment manufacturers—especially those focused on premium products and sustainability. Our key priorities are:
- Expanding technical education and manufacturing capability in wool and wool blends
- Accelerating knitwear and denim innovation, where Bangladesh already has scale advantages
- Improve product quality competitiveness through certification
- Educate manufacturers about wool fiber, global textile and consumer trends.
Long-term, we want to see Bangladesh recognized not just as a volume powerhouse, but as a go-to source for high-quality wool and wool-blended apparel.
