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Alpaca fibre, the second fibre we are showcasing in the International year of the Camelids. There are two main breeds of alpaca, the Huacaya (pronounced wuh-kai-ya), known for its dense, fluffy fleece, and the Suri, which is distinguished by its silky, lustrous locks that hang in long, draping strands.

Alpacas are native to the high-altitude regions of the Andes Mountains in South America, where they have adapted to the harsh, cold climate that can reach elevations of over 13,000 feet. These resilient animals roam the rugged terrain, thriving in areas with sparse vegetation and rocky landscapes. Although primarily domesticated for their valuable fibre, alpacas can also be found in the wild, exhibiting their natural instincts as they graze on native grasses. In addition to their role in fibre production, alpacas are known to be effective livestock guardians, often protecting herds of sheep or other smaller animals from predators such as foxes and coyotes. Their presence in these mountainous habitats plays a crucial role in the ecological balance, helping to sustain the delicate environment of the Andes.

Alpaca fibre is renowned for its exceptional softness, warmth, and durability, making it one of the most luxurious natural fibres available. Harvested from the fleece of the alpaca, this fibre offers a unique combination of lightweight warmth and breathable comfort, which is highly sought after in the textile industry.

Exceptional Warmth and Comfort

Alpaca fibre is known for its superior insulating properties. Each fibre has a unique hollow structure, which help trap air and retain body heat, making it incredibly effective at keeping you warm even in the coldest conditions. Despite its warmth, alpaca fibre remains lightweight and breathable, ensuring comfort across various climates.

Softness and Hypoallergenic Qualities

One of the most appealing characteristics of alpaca fibre is its remarkable softness, often compared to cashmere. Unlike many other natural fibres, alpaca fibre contains no lanolin, making it hypoallergenic and ideal for those with sensitive skin. The fibres natural fineness also contributes to its soft, smooth texture, providing a luxurious feel against the skin.

Durability and Resilience

Alpaca fibre is not only soft and warm but also exceptionally durable. The long, resilient fibres resist pilling and retain their shape over time, ensuring that garments and textiles made from alpaca maintain their beauty and performance for years. Its natural elasticity also adds to the fibre’s resilience, allowing for easy movement and comfort in clothing.

Versatility in Application

Alpaca fibre is incredibly versatile, making it suitable for a wide range of products. From high-end fashion garments to home textiles like blankets and throws, alpaca fibre brings a touch of luxury to any item. Its natural resistance to odour and moisture makes it ideal for outdoor wear, while its lightweight warmth is perfect for layering.

Sustainable and Ethical

Alpaca farming is generally sustainable, with alpacas having a minimal environmental impact compared to other livestock. They graze lightly on the land, reducing soil erosion and helping to maintain healthy pastures. Additionally, the shearing process is gentle and does not harm the animals, making alpaca fibre a more ethical choice for eco-conscious consumers.

Embrace the unparalleled luxury of alpaca fibre, where nature’s finest materials meet superior craftsmanship, creating textiles that are as beautiful as they are functional.

Get in touch with the team, email [email protected]

Camel Hair, the first fibre we are showcasing in the International year of the Camelids, it is either gathered, shorn, or combed from the domestic Bactrian Camel, 2 humps are better than 1!

Known for travelling the silk-road trading routes, the Bactrian camel is native to Central Asia. They thrive in the arid grasslands and the Gobi desert, where they are more than at home in temperatures as low as – 30 degrees C and as high as 50 degrees C. This is due their extremely versatile hair, which is a mixture of the coarse, protective guard hair, 32-38mic, and the soft inner hair, 19-24mic which keeps the camels protected from the harsh winter temperatures.

Camel has traditionally been used for thousands of years, even being mentioned in the bible, mainly for floor coverings, tents and coats. In the modern era, camel hair has become a must-have in a collection and has proved to be one of the most versatile of natural fibres.

Once the camel hair has been collected, it goes through a rigorous carding process called dehairing. This is where the long, coarse guard hair is separated from the short, fine inner hair. By passing over a series of rollers with fine needles, the soft, fine hair sticks to the rollers and the guard “drops out” This is collected and kept separate for the fine hair.

Once the fine dehaired camel hair is separated, it is spun into a woollen yarn, either on its own, or blended with other natural fibres, such as wool or cashmere. These yarns are then woven into luxurious cloth which is used for jackets, coats, and blankets. Typically, camel is kept as its original distinctive “camel” colour. However, there is a very limited amount of natural white camel hair, which looks very much like cashmere.

The coarser hair is used in a wide variety of applications, from mattress pads, to duvets, and the interlining of suits. The Manes, which grows in the winter months, is coarser and has a reddish colour, this is also used in the bedding and interlining industries, but is also for craft applications, like Halloween masks, and the carpet industry.

Camel hair truly is one of the most versatile natural fibres, and a testament to the amazing Bactrian camels that we have to thank for it.

The next fibre showcase will be Vicuña in July.

What is the SFA Cashmere Standard?

Seal International are proudly certified to the Sustainable Fibre Alliance, SFA Cashmere Standard. This certification signifies a commitment to responsible, and sustainable practices throughout our production of cashmere, and the farmers that rear the goats.

This certification ensures that the cashmere is sourced from farms that prioritise animal welfare, environmental conservation, and the well-being of local communities. The SFA Cashmere Standard focuses on promoting sustainable grazing practices to prevent land degradation, ensuring that the delicate ecosystems where cashmere goats graze are preserved for future generations.

Additionally, the standard emphasises the ethical treatment of the goats, ensuring they are provided with proper care, nutrition, and living conditions. By adhering to the SFA Cashmere Standard, producers demonstrate their dedication to transparency, traceability, and social responsibility, providing consumers with assurance that they are purchasing cashmere that has been reared in an environmentally and socially conscious manner.

Why is being SFA Cashmere Standard certified important?

Being SFA (Sustainable Fibre Alliance) certified is important for several reasons:

1. Environmental Sustainability

The SFA certification ensure that the production of cashmere adheres to sustainable grazing practices. This helps prevent overgrazing, soil erosion, and degradation of the land, preserving ecosystems and biodiversity.

2. Animal Welfare

The SFA standard prioritises the ethical treatment and welfare of cashmere goats, ensuring that they are provided with appropriate care, nutrition, and living conditions, promoting their health and well-being.

3. Traceability and Transparency

The SFA certification provides a transparent and traceable supply chain, this allows customers to have confidence in the origin of the cashmere they purchase. This promotes accountability and trust.

4. Social Responsibility

The SFA standard emphasises fair labour practices and the well-being of local communities. It encourages producers to engage with and support local communities, promoting economic development and social equity.

5. Customer Confidence

Being SFA certified enhances our reputation and credibility, assuring customers that the cashmere they buy is environmentally sustainable and ethically responsible.

The SFA certification plays a vital role in promoting responsible and sustainable practices throughout the cashmere supply chain, benefiting the environment, animals, producers, and consumers alike.

Please feel free to contact us if you would like to find out more.

The International Year of Camelids 2024 is an opportunity to honour and champion the remarkable animals, herders, communities and most importantly for us the fibres collected from Camels, Alpacas, Llamas, Vicuñas, and Guanacos.

Objective

The objective of the 2024 International Year of Camelids is to raise awareness about the overlooked capabilities of the amazing camelids and to encourage greater investment in this sector. This involves advocating for more research, enhancing capacity development, and embracing innovative practices and technologies to ensure the success of the genus for many generations to come.

Our Role

Camelid fibres, play a pivotal role in our business here at Seal International. These fibres are meticulously collected globally and processed to create high-quality products catering to the demands of discerning customers worldwide.

How, and where are they used?

Camelid fibres demonstrate exceptional adaptability, serving as a testament to their versatility in various industries across textiles. These fibres, sourced from alpacas, llamas, vicuñas, guanacos, and camels, offer a wide range of applications across different sectors. From textiles and apparel, including knitwear, suiting, and coating, to home furnishings such as bedding, curtains, and upholstery, and are also used in the construction of mattresses.

This versatility is rarely seen and championed, here at Seal International we hope to change that, and we are embracing the UN year of the camelids. We hope to raise the profile of this magnificent fibre to ensure the economic stability of the supply chain all the way back to the herders. We recognise that, apart from the hair from the animals, people are our most valuable asset ensuring that we carry out our operations in a manner that safeguards their health, welfare and safety. We remain committed to ensuring the quality of life and good health of both the Animals and their human custodians.

Sustainability

Camelids are sustainably farmed in deserts and the Andes mountains; our camelids are left to roam freely and are cared for using age-old traditional herding and farming methods.  The livelihoods of many communities around the world depend on camelid products and services. Serving as essential working companions, they provide invaluable support to indigenous peoples and local communities. This ranges across the Andean highlands of South America, as well as in the deserts of Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Recognition, advocacy, and support for promoting their products and services are essential for sustaining community livelihoods and nurturing sustainable employment opportunities and equality in often economically deprived areas.

We remain fully dedicated to continuing our support indigenous peoples and communities in their endeavours with camelids.

Our Fibres

Over the year we will be showcasing each fibre, highlighting its characteristics, merits, how it is processed, and their end uses. First up will be Camel coming in May. Followed by the prestigious Vicuña in July, Alpaca in September and rounding the UN International year of the camelids off with Guanaco in December.