The relationship between Mean Fibre Diameter measurements by Airflow and Laserscan for uruguayan wool

Abstract

Uruguay is recognized for its production of high-quality wool, combining traditional practices with modern technology. Although wool production fell by 3.5 % last year, exports increased by 62.7 %. However, its competitiveness was limited by an International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO) regulation that required the certification of Mean Fibre Diameter (MFD) using the Airflow method (AF, IWTO-28) (International Wool Textile Organisation, 2013), despite the fact that leading markets utilize the Laserscan (LSN, IWTO-12) (International Wool Textile Organisation, 2012). This study analysed 161 samples of commercial lots of Uruguayan wool (fineness ranging from 16 μm to 33 μm) to evaluate the equivalence between AF and LSN. A high statistical correlation was found, along with a lack of systematic and level-dependent bias when applying the IWTO-0 protocol (International Wool Textile Organization, 2020). This confirms that the Uruguayan wool matrix is compatible with both methods, allowing for their interchangeability within the limits of uncertainty. The evidence obtained supported a modification of the IWTO regulations. At the Lille Congress in 2025, an amendment was approved that exempts Uruguayan wool from the complementary AF measurement. This decision allows the country to certify MFD exclusively using LSN, which optimizes costs and aligns its standards with global markets, boosting the worldwide commercialization of wool.