■ the Wool Innovation Center (WDC) is jointly established by the Woolmark company and Nanshan Zhishang technology, a Chinese wool textile enterprise. It will become a R & D and training base of wool textile technology at home and abroad.

Purpose of establishment:

■ the Wool Innovation Center (WDC) was officially established in October 2013 to develop novel high value-added wool products from fine wool fiber - Australian Merino wool through innovation. As the world's first professional wool research institution, Nanshan Zhishang technology has a professional university education system and a whole wool industry chain from wool washing to ready-made clothes. Using AWI's technology and funds, both sides jointly study wool fibers and products to ensure the sustainability of the industry.

■ as a WDC (Wool Innovation Center) established by Nanshan Zhishang technology in cooperation with AWI, it carries the most cutting-edge technology and product R & D work of wool innovation. In the future, based on the WDC platform, we can cooperate with well-known experts, scholars and famous universities at home and abroad to create an open innovation platform. Compared with well-known brands in the wool textile industry such as Italy, Nanshan Zhishang technology's wool cultural heritage and original development ability hope to be further improved on the WDC platform.

■ WDC's future expansion work, including investment in R & D equipment, product innovation display and future development planning, will focus on "from farm to show", highlight innovative ideas, cover wool-lab fashion trends, display of raw materials, yarns, fabrics and ready-made clothes, and enable static pictures, images, interactive touch screen and other display means. In order to further strengthen cooperation, the existing WDC was expanded in October 2014.

Partner profile:

The Woolmark company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of AWI, is a non-profit organization owned by more than 25000 herdsmen. AWI's vision is to promote the establishment of a vibrant, stable and profitable wool industry by providing the best natural fibers to the world. It operates throughout the global supply chain - from herders to retailers. The company's mission is to strengthen the profitability, international competitiveness and sustainable development of Australia's wool industry; And increase the demand and market awareness of Australian wool.

Cooperation history:

■ in 1997, Nanshan Zhishang technology applied to become a franchise enterprise of pure wool logo.

■ from 1998 to 2001, the Woolmark company continued to provide technical support to Nanshan Zhishang technology.

■ in 2003, Nanshan Zhishang technology cooperated with the Woolmark company to develop machine washable pure wool shirt fabric without chemical treatment, and released the fabric at the 2006 China international textile fabric and Accessories Expo intertemile Shanghai.

■ in 2004, Nanshan Zhishang technology cooperated with AWI to jointly study the influence of wool curl on finished fabrics.

■ in 2011, Nanshan Zhishang technology deeply cooperated with the Woolmark company to develop a series of new innovative fabrics using the latest optim technology, including neulana top quality series (for high-end fashion) and neulana sports series (for outdoor sports, urban clothing and high-performance clothing).

■ at the American outdoor sports products exhibition in January 2013, AWI exhibited the outdoor sports fabrics designed and produced by Nanshan Zhishang technology, and received the first order from Italy in February.

■ in January 2013, both parties signed an agreement that AWI will provide Nanshan Zhishang Technology Co., Ltd. with small sample loom, small sample warping machine, rolling car, small sample dryer and other laboratory equipment for product development.

■ Wool Innovation Center (WDC) was established in October 2013.

■ in July 2014, AWI provided WDC with small sample spinning frame, breaking machine and flat knitting machine.

■ in 2014, WDC designed and developed expanded wool fabric.

■ in October 2014, the international wool Education Center (IWEC) was established.

■ Research on wool outdoor sports from 2015 to 2016.

■ Research on application technology project of Superfine Merino wool from 2017 to 2018.

■ Research on semi worsted wool drawing project from 2019 to 2020.