The International Year of the Camelids 2024
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.