A new wool deal with Japan is the result of years of research on revamping the sector

Wool Source has signed a deal with a Japanese cosmetic company, for eight tonnes of Kiwi products - its first commercial export order.

The company is part of the Wool Research Organisation.

Chair Andrew Morrison says they were looking for new products - and new markets.

He says they've put a about seven years into a programme deconstructing strong wool to a molecular level, and finding applications for it.