Wool has unique physical properties which give it superior performance capabilities and make it ideal for use in the bedding industry. Many of these advantages are due to its complex and natural physio-chemical structure, which can not be artificially manufactured.

Large volumes of high quality, consistent and clean wool are produced annually in New Zealand from crossbred sheep. Joma®'s special crimping process provides an impressive 40-50% increase in bulk with the benefit of increased wear life. The crimping process actually increases the natural frequency and reciprocating bends or waves along the fibres' length which are then permanently "heat set" to predetermined limits.

Wool has a natural crimp which gives it bounce, body, and soft support characteristics. This resilience is due to the fibrils in the core of the fibre which are formed rather like springs of a mattress and are linked together by chemical bonds. These bonds prevent the spirals rotating when pulled or pushed, providing wool with its excellent elastic and high torsional rigidity. This helps to prevent wool fibres from packing down under pressure. This property is particularly beneficial for bedding uses, as the wool cushions and softly supports, diffusing pressure points and moulding to body contours. Tests using mattress pads with bedridden hospital patients clearly identify the advantages of wool over synthetic mattress pads.

When used in bedding, wool creates a micro climate which assists in regulating body temperature and humidity, providing a more rested night's sleep. (A) Thermal Comfort Wool provides a high level of thermal comfort due to its outstanding insulating properties. Wool offers warmth under cool conditions because the natural crimp of the fibre allows air to be trapped. The thermal resistance of air means it is six to ten times as insulating as any fibre. This insulating property of wool ensures that temperature changes are slow and gradual when wool is used in a bedding situation, avoiding rapid temperature changes. (B) Moisture Absorption Wool can absorb up to 30% of its own weight in water without feeling wet (hydrophilic). The reason for this is that its constituent keratin is very rich in amino acids which easily bind together with water molecules. Wool is particularly hydrophilic when water is present in the form of vapour. As humidity levels rise, wool fibres absorb and store the moisture, keeping the humidity at skin surface relatively low. The absorbed moisture in the wool fibre can also be diffused into the atmosphere. This property ensures that damp, clammy feeling will never be experienced with wool.

Wool has the unique characteristics of being hydrophilic towards water vapour; but hydrophobic, or water repellent, towards liquid water. The outer layer of wool has a hydrophonic epicuticle, off which water runs, while water vapour diffuses into the fibre through microscopic pores in the surface. This is because the molecular structure of the epicuticle is smaller than that of liquid but larger than that of water vapour.

Testing over many years has confirmed that the high keratin protein and moisture content of wool make it naturally resistant to burning. It is difficult to set alight under most conditions, and burns only weakly, forming a cold char which tends to extinguish burning. Test have shown wool to be among the safest of bedding materials.

Joma® Pure Crimped wool has been thoroughly cleaned and is non-allergenic, making it ideal for those who suffer allergies to feather and down or synthetic bedding products. It is also available treated with UltraFresh, an antimicrobial, antifungal treatment for added protection.