The China Syndrome

The finest cashmere fibres come from northwest China, near the Mongolian border. Traditionally a large portion of these fibres were shipped to Scotland and Italy due to their fine spinning and knitting capability. In recent years, however, Chinese mills have installed the most advanced spinning and knitting technologies allowing them to create superior cashmere and knitted product.

In 2000, with the assistance of Interwool's founder, Nick Bradford, and in conjunction with The Woolmark Company, China's premiere cashmere producer established the world's first and only state-of-the-art, commercial processing facility for Optim. And to facilitate its advancements in fibre technology, the mill looks to Australia for the world's best merino wool from the New England and Goulburn regions of New South Wales, the Western Districts of Victoria and the midlands of Tasmania.