IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v18y2025i19p5185-d1761296.html

Sheep Wool as Biomass: Identifying the Material and Its Reclassification from Waste to Resource

Author

Listed:
  • Julita Szczecina

    (Department of Animal Biotechnology, Faculty of Animal Science, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Al. Mickiewicza 24/28, 31-059 Krakow, Poland)

  • Ewa Szczepanik

    (Department of Glass Technology and Amorphous Coatings, Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, AGH University of Krakow, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland)

  • Jakub Barwinek

    (Department of Glass Technology and Amorphous Coatings, Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, AGH University of Krakow, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland)

  • Piotr Szatkowski

    (Department of Glass Technology and Amorphous Coatings, Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, AGH University of Krakow, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland)

  • Marcin Niemiec

    (Department of Agricultural and Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture and Economics, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Al. Mickiewicza 21, 31-120 Krakow, Poland)

  • Alykeev Ishenbek Zhakypbekovich

    (Department of Animal Husbandry and Aquaculture Management, Kyrgyz National Agrarian University in Biszkek, Bishkek 720005, Kyrgyzstan)

  • Edyta Molik

    (Department of Animal Biotechnology, Faculty of Animal Science, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Al. Mickiewicza 24/28, 31-059 Krakow, Poland)

Abstract

The growing amount of waste worldwide requires new solutions for its management. Agricultural by-products account for almost 10% of the waste generated. One of them is sheep wool, a natural fibre with beneficial physicochemical properties. Currently, sheep wool production amounts to approximately 1–2 million tonnes per year, of which 60% is used in the manufacture of clothing. Nevertheless, it poses a considerable challenge in terms of disposal due to its keratin-rich composition and slow biodegradability. This review analyses the chemical and physical properties of sheep wool and assesses its potential as biomass based on its carbon content and other elemental components. This allows us to provide a critical comparative analysis of the main technological pathways for the use of waste sheep wool as biomass, including anaerobic digestion, pyrolysis, direct combustion and gasification. The review highlights both the opportunities and limitations of these processes, comparing sheep wool in terms of energy potential and carbon footprint with other biomass. The review shows that the calorific value of sheep wool (19.5 MJ/kg) is competitive with traditional plant-based biofuels and the use of waste sheep wool as biomass source can contribute to reduction in CO 2 emissions of 2.1 million tonnes per year. The use of sheep wool as biomass can not only contribute to waste reduction but also supports the goals of sustainable agriculture and climate neutrality. The selected methods may offer a new and effective way of reducing waste and allow all sheep wool produced to be introduced into the circular economy.

Suggested Citation

  • Julita Szczecina & Ewa Szczepanik & Jakub Barwinek & Piotr Szatkowski & Marcin Niemiec & Alykeev Ishenbek Zhakypbekovich & Edyta Molik, 2025. "Sheep Wool as Biomass: Identifying the Material and Its Reclassification from Waste to Resource," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-18, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:19:p:5185-:d:1761296
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/19/5185/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/19/5185/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Francesco Arfelli & Cristian Tosi & Luca Ciacci & Fabrizio Passarini, 2024. "Life Cycle Assessment of a Wood Biomass Gasification Plant and Implications for Syngas and Biochar Utilization," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-15, May.
    2. Filippo Marchelli & Giorgio Rovero & Massimo Curti & Elisabetta Arato & Barbara Bosio & Cristina Moliner, 2021. "An Integrated Approach to Convert Lignocellulosic and Wool Residues into Balanced Fertilisers," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-15, January.
    3. Simone Marzeddu & Andrea Cappelli & Andrea Ambrosio & María Alejandra Décima & Paolo Viotti & Maria Rosaria Boni, 2021. "A Life Cycle Assessment of an Energy-Biochar Chain Involving a Gasification Plant in Italy," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-29, November.
    4. Isabella Bianco & Raffaella Gerboni & Giuseppe Picerno & Gian Andrea Blengini, 2022. "Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of MWool ® Recycled Wool Fibers," Resources, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-16, April.
    5. Monica C. M. Parlato & Francesca Valenti & Giusi Midolo & Simona M. C. Porto, 2022. "Livestock Wastes Sustainable Use and Management: Assessment of Raw Sheep Wool Reuse and Valorization," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-16, April.
    6. Azra Korjenic & Sanela Klarić & Almedina Hadžić & Sinan Korjenic, 2015. "Sheep Wool as a Construction Material for Energy Efficiency Improvement," Energies, MDPI, vol. 8(6), pages 1-17, June.
    7. Pablo L. Peri & Yamina M. Rosas & Brenton Ladd & Ricardo Díaz-Delgado & Guillermo Martínez Pastur, 2020. "Carbon Footprint of Lamb and Wool Production at Farm Gate and the Regional Scale in Southern Patagonia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-26, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Demircan, Rüya Kılıç & Mecit Işık, Muhammet Ahmet & Benli, Ahmet & Genç, Gökhan & Beyhan, Figen & Kaplan, Gökhan, 2025. "Eco-efficient lime/pumice mortars with sheep wool for heritage restoration: Life cycle and energy savings," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 215(C).
    2. Daniela Isola & Stefano Bigiotti & Alvaro Marucci, 2025. "Livestock Buildings in a Changing World: Building Sustainability Challenges and Landscape Integration Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-23, June.
    3. Pandit, Chetan & Wang, Chin-Tsan & Ong, Hwai Chyuan, 2025. "Potential mechanisms and application of biochar in electrochemical systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 397(C).
    4. Crisan Popescu & Michaela Dina Stanescu, 2024. "Eco-Friendly Processing of Wool and Sustainable Valorization of This Natural Bioresource," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-35, May.
    5. Hugo Alexander Rondón-Quintana & Fredy Alberto Reyes-Lizcano & Saieth Baudilio Chaves-Pabón & Juan Gabriel Bastidas-Martínez & Carlos Alfonso Zafra-Mejía, 2022. "Use of Biochar in Asphalts: Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-12, April.
    6. Attilio Converti, 2021. "Environmental and Energetic Valorization of Renewable Resources," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-5, December.
    7. Nura Shehu Aliyu Yaro & Muslich Hartadi Sutanto & Noor Zainab Habib & Aliyu Usman & Jibrin Mohammed Kaura & Abdulfatai Adinoyi Murana & Abdullahi Haruna Birniwa & Ahmad Hussaini Jagaba, 2023. "A Comprehensive Review of Biochar Utilization for Low-Carbon Flexible Asphalt Pavements," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-32, April.
    8. Pablo Luis Peri & Yamina M. Rosas & Emilio Rivera & Guillermo Martínez Pastur, 2021. "Lamb and Wool Provisioning Ecosystem Services in Southern Patagonia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-15, July.
    9. Silvia Vilčeková & Monika Čuláková & Eva Krídlová Burdová & Jana Katunská, 2015. "Energy and Environmental Evaluation of Non-Transparent Constructions of Building Envelope for Wooden Houses," Energies, MDPI, vol. 8(10), pages 1-29, October.
    10. Cristina Moliner & Elisabetta Arato & Filippo Marchelli, 2021. "Current Status of Energy Production from Solid Biomass in Southern Italy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-21, April.
    11. Abu Naser Md Ahsanul Haque & Maryam Naebe, 2022. "Waste Wool Powder for Promoting Plant Growth by Moisture Retention," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-8, September.
    12. Mariaconcetta Ganci & Luisa Biondi & Monica C. M. Parlato & Simona M. C. Porto, 2022. "Methodology for the Localization of Wool Collecting Centers: The Case Study of Sicily," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-11, August.
    13. Monica C.M. Parlato & Simona M.C. Porto, 2020. "Organized Framework of Main Possible Applications of Sheep Wool Fibers in Building Components," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-17, January.
    14. Mitali Nautiyal & Donna Cleveland & Amabel Hunting & Amanda Smith, 2025. "Legacy Datasets and Their Impacts: Analysing Ecoinvent’s Influence on Wool and Polyester LCA Outcomes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-18, July.
    15. Pablo L. Peri & Yamina M. Rosas & Guillermo Martínez Pastur, 2022. "Human Appropriation of Net Primary Production Related to Livestock Provisioning Ecosystem Services in Southern Patagonia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-12, June.
    16. Han Ren & Zilu Li & Hualin Chen & Jiangmin Zhou & Chengqun Lv, 2022. "Effects of Biochar and Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria on Plant Performance and Soil Environmental Stability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-15, September.
    17. Amir Ali & Anas Issa & Ahmed Elshaer, 2024. "A Comprehensive Review and Recent Trends in Thermal Insulation Materials for Energy Conservation in Buildings," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-42, October.
    18. Luca Penazzato & Rogiros Illampas & Daniel V. Oliveira, 2024. "The Challenge of Integrating Seismic and Energy Retrofitting of Buildings: An Opportunity for Sustainable Materials?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-25, April.
    19. Giusi Midolo & Simona M. C. Porto & Giovanni Cascone & Francesca Valenti, 2024. "Sheep Wool Waste Availability for Potential Sustainable Re-Use and Valorization: A GIS-Based Model," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-13, May.
    20. Atbir, Aziza & Boukhattem, Lahcen & Khabbazi, Abdelhamid & Cherkaoui, Moha & Zohra El Wardi, Fatima, 2024. "Manuscript title: Optimal mix study of sustainable lightweight composite bricks incorporating clay, wool and cork materials using circular economy approaches," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 206(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:19:p:5185-:d:1761296. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager The email address of this maintainer does not seem to be valid anymore. Please ask MDPI Indexing Manager to update the entry or send us the correct address (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.