Woollen innovation
In the evolving world of architectural design and interior acoustics, Floc stands out as a premier choice for professionals seeking to blend aesthetics with functionality and environmental responsibility.
With 90 per cent of New Zealand’s wool being strong wool, a few entrepreneurial thinkers have developed new ways to use and apply this natural resource.
From a Christchurch-based warehouse, the team at Floc is taking wool to the walls by developing specialised wall panels.
With backing from the government, Floc makes the most of wool’s natural properties. Extensive research, development, and modern thinking have created woollen panels that are not only a testament to the beauty and versatility of organic materials; they also boast significant acoustic and health and safety benefits.
Wool’s unique properties allow for excellent sound absorption, enhancing the interior environment of commercial and educational spaces by mitigating common acoustic issues like echoes and reverberation.
The company behind Floc, T&R Interior Systems Limited (T&R), has spent years refining its wool panels to ensure they meet Aotearoa’s strict building and fire compliance standards and launched the product in 2022. Wool’s natural characteristics, along with a patent pending natural fire retardant, makes Floc a safer alternative to synthetics. When burning, Floc produces less smoke and heat than synthetic fibres, resulting in a charring whereas synthetics like polyester will catch fire and melt away. This makes Floc a safer choice.
Its natural elements, which can be traced throughout the entire manufacturing process, from shearing to pressing, also make it a safer option for other reasons. Wool is naturally hypoallergenic and further enhances an interior environment with its unique ability to regulate temperature and improve air quality.
Because it is crafted from 100 per cent New Zealand-strong wool, Floc embodies a commitment to sustainability, offering a renewable and biodegradable solution that can be returned to the earth at the end of its life cycle. This not only addresses the increasing demand for environmentally friendly materials but also provides an effective alternative to petrochemical-based artificial fibres, aligning with global trends towards more sustainable construction materials.
Floc panels are designed with practicality in mind. It doesn’t matter if it’s a new build or an existing space that needs noise control; they are easy to install and offer a cost-effective solution.
On top of their practicality, they also come in a range of colours, and the panels can also be customised with printed designs, making them suitable for bespoke projects and developments where design is key.
Alongside the Floc Panel is the Floc 3D, a pressed and shaped panel, available in a range of three-dimensional designs.
As New Zealand and the world continue to seek out innovative solutions that meet the challenges of modern design and sustainability, Floc stands as a shining example of how natural materials can be harnessed to create spaces that are not only beautiful but also beneficial to both people and the environment.