New life for wool: Brandenburg's first wool washing factory!

New life for wool: Brandenburg's first wool washing factory!

Sheep farming in Brandenburg is experiencing a comeback. A wool washing factory is to be built at a traditional location, the Skuddenhof in Weseram, which could revolutionize regional wool processing. There hasn't been a wool washing factory in Germany for over 15 years. The last of its kind closed its doors in Blankenburg (Harz) in 2009. Now the region is back with an innovative project.

The breeders in Weseram, a district of the municipality of Roskow in the Potsdam-Mittelmark district, have big plans. After the sheep are sheared - preferably the local Skudde sheep breed, which is known for its fine wool - they are sent abroad for processing. In a future-oriented manner, a former stable building is now being converted to accommodate a modern wool washing facility. Construction is scheduled to begin in summer 2025, August at the latest, and the factory is expected to go into operation from October 2025.

Technical support and financing

The total costs for the manufacture amount to around 83,000 euros. The Brandenburg Ministry of Agriculture is contributing around a third of the sum, while an additional around 33,000 euros are being made available as part of the European Union's LEADER program. This funding not only serves to provide financial support, but also to strengthen rural development, as the EU LEADER directive aims to improve and secure life prospects in rural areas (LELF Brandenburgexplains how important such development projects are).

The planned construction project envisages setting up a washing and drying system that will make it possible to clean around 20 kilograms of wool per cycle. In the future, the wool will not only be delivered to the company's own spinning mills in Saxony and Lower Saxony, but will also appeal to other sheep farmers in the region who would like to have their wool washed on site.

Tradition meets innovation

The new wool washing factory creates a value chain that extends from the shorn sheep to the spun wool thread. Katja Behling, who breeds the sheep, is confident that this will significantly improve the processing quality of the wool. In addition, wool washing should also be offered as a service for other sheep farms.

Sheep farming has a long tradition in Brandenburg and plays an important role in maintaining the cultural landscape. In addition to wool processing, the Skuddenhof also produces high-quality meat, dairy and wool products and offers guests the opportunity to learn more about sheep farming and the processing of the products. Holiday apartments are also available on the farm, allowing visitors to experience rural life up close.

Overall, the project shows how old traditions can be revitalized through innovative ideas. The sheep farmers in Weseram prove that they have a good hand for the future and are putting the region back on the map with their high-quality wool. This commitment to local products is not only a benefit for the economy, but also strengthens the community and the identity of the region.