LONDON: Kuwait showcased its pioneering sustainable wool factory ‘Soof’ at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) global conference, highlighting how traditional weaving can be reimagined for a greener future.
At the second Global Conference on Sustainable Livestock Transformation held in Rome this week, Sheikha Bibi Duaij Al-Sabah — head of Kuwait’s Al Sadu Society and founder of the Soof wool factory — shared how the country is transforming sheep wool into yarn and textiles using circular production methods.
The initiative focuses on processing wool from local Naeimi sheep and other breeds, with the factory powered by solar energy, recycling water and converting waste into organic fertilizers to support farms. “This initiative represents an innovation that enhances the revival and sustainability of the traditional Sadu weaving craft, while also empowering farmers, women weavers, and schools to experience the combination of heritage and innovation in serving sustainability and the community,” Sheikha Bibi said.
She noted that Kuwait was the only Arab country taking part in the specialized technical exhibition held alongside the conference, which brought together delegates from more than 100 countries. The Soof factory, run in collaboration with the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences and Al-Mawashi, is the first of its kind in the country. It is designed to preserve Kuwait’s cultural heritage, while anchoring it in modern sustainability practices. — KUNA
