Episode 211 | Superwash Wool Part 1 w/ Cliff Cox

Cliff Cox is the Plant Manager at Chargeurs, a multi-national company with a plant in South Carolina that produces superwash and non-superwash wool sliver (combed and carded top). In this two-part series we will use the conversation with Cliff to dive into the deep mysteries of Superwash Wool and the ways it is made.

Interview Notes:

• The structure of wool and wool scales up close
• Why and how wool felts/shrinks (DFE)
• Wool before and after the chlorine/Hercosett process
• Wool before and after the Chlorination portion
• Polymers, natural and synthetic
• Hevea Brasiliensis (the Rubber Tree)
• Chargeurs, where Cliff works
• Berry Ammendment
• Georgia Pacific
• Wet Strength
• Toxicity of Chlorine Gas
• AOX – Absorbable Organic Halides
• EPA – Environmental Protection Agency
• The enzyme based process study abstract
• Water use (and other environmental factors) in wool production
• Chargeurs’ Sustainability 
• My silicone and glass food storage solutions (affiliate links)

I want to thank Cliff Cox and Chargeurs for talking to me in such candid detail about how they run their plant. And to Anastasia Williams, our guest in episode 209, for the conversation that sparked the urgent need to get this episode out there.

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This podcast was produced in Salt Lake City UT, with production help from Sid Fallon. Music is by the ever illusive Breakmaster Cylinder.

Join me next week for Part 2…..