Wooldreamers: Leading the revaluation of wool and sustainability in Spain

The family company Wooldreamers, led by Ramón Cobo, has become a reference in the revaluation of wool and its traditional crafts in a context where they are endangered. This company, awarded with the Sustainability Prize by Fuera de Serie, stands out for carrying out the entire wool production process, from the sheep to the skein, now also including the weaving on old looms recovered from Grandfather Julián. This comprehensive and artisanal approach is unique in Spain and aims to rescue the importance of a raw material that has been relegated to the category of waste. Ramón Cobo, founder of Wooldreamers and heir to a family of wool producers, advocates for giving value to wool at a time when synthetic fibers have gained ground in the textile industry. He points out that if synthetic materials were taxed for polluting, clothing made with them would not be significantly cheaper than that made with wool. With this argument, Cobo and his team have embarked on a five-year journey demonstrating the economic and sustainable viability of working with wool through their yarn collections, which have even reached international markets such as Japan. The work of Wooldreamers goes beyond wool production. The company focuses on aspects such as traceability, animal welfare, and social responsibility in every step of its production process. It also stands out for its commitment to soil regeneration, waste reduction, and the revitalization of rural villages through the generation of employment in nearly forgotten trades. Ramón Cobo argues that real sustainability must encompass social, environmental, and economic aspects to achieve a positive impact throughout the production chain. In Spain, the main wool producer in the European Union, the situation of sheep farmers has become complicated due to the lack of market for more than half of the over 30,000 tons of wool produced annually. Faced with this scenario, sheep must be shorn every spring, a process that represents an expense for the owners, as the unsold wool surplus must be legally disposed of, generating additional costs. Jesús Cobo, a member of the Wooldreamers family, highlights other potential applications of wool, such as its use in construction or as a biofertilizer, which could contribute to reducing plastic consumption. He also emphasizes the importance of opening new markets for wool and raising consumer awareness about the negative impacts of fast fashion and the use of disposable synthetic garments. In this sense, Wooldreamers has partnered with designers and artisans to create innovative and sustainable wool products, such as bags made from leather and felted Lojeña wool, or merino shawls woven on recovered looms. Wooldreamers' work aligns with other efforts in Spain to revitalize the wool industry and its traditions. The company collaborates with herds of native breeds and promotes sustainability and animal welfare throughout its production chain. Through the Wool4life brand, Wooldreamers invites designers and interior design studios to join their proposal for positive impact, fostering the creation of quality products with social and environmental awareness. This family company's commitment to wool and its traditional crafts not only aims to recover a centuries-old industry but also lays the groundwork for a more sustainable and environmentally respectful production model for rural communities.