Following the New Zealand Government's recent announcement encouraging the use of wool in the construction and refurbishments of their buildings, one local company is ready to answer the call with style, sustainability, and a strong local connection.

Signature Floors partnership with Ege Carpets, a Danish manufacturer renowned globally for its innovative approach to carpet design, has allowed the carpet wholesaler  to offer 100% New Zealand wool commercial carpet and carpet tiles to the kiwi market. And in doing so, they’ve redefined what's possible underfoot for commercial flooring.

Long considered a blend-only material, wool was often mixed with nylon or British wool for durability and bulk. But with evolving New Zealand sheep breeds, that's no longer necessary.

Pictured: Palle Petersen, General Manager of Bloch & Behrens

"Perendale and other new breeds are now adding the bulk and loft that was lacking in our traditional Romney and Coopworth breeds. Blending the Perendale with our traditional Romney wool makes it the perfect blend for high-performance carpets," says Palle Petersen, General Manager of Bloch & Behrens (B&B), the export arm of PGW Wool.

"And thanks to the Wool Integrity programme, this wool is traceable, ethical, and sustainably produced."

Bloch & Behrens has played a pivotal role in this story through its Wool Integrity-certified supply chain, where wool is sourced directly from New Zealand farms, scoured locally, and sent to Lithuania for spinning. The yarn is then shipped to Ege’s advanced manufacturing facility in Denmark, where it becomes the base for bespoke, dye injected carpet and carpet tiles.

"It's a truly global journey with a proudly local origin," says Palle. "We can tell you exactly which farms the wool came from. That level of traceability is incredibly powerful.

“And what we have now is this journey of Integrity-certified wool from farm to floor through Signature Floors, which is connecting New Zealand growers with world-class commercial spaces."

As the exclusive distributor for Ege Carpets in New Zealand, Signature Floors has seen Ege carpets develop a 100% NZ wool product suited for high-traffic, design-led commercial environments - from government buildings to hotels, schools, and offices. And now it’s able to bring this revolutionary product home.

"This new 100% NZ wool range is the result of years of development, and it's a complete game-changer,” says Richard Slade, General Manager at Signature Floors.

“The carpets are not only beautiful and bespoke - thanks to Ege’s high-resolution dye injection technology on natural white wool - but also truly sustainable. The carpet and carpet tiles can now be produced in 100% NZ wool, and without nylon in the mix, the carpet and carpet tiles are easier to recycle at end-of-life.”

And the environmental benefits are significant. We all know wool is renewable, biodegradable, and helps regulate indoor air quality, so with carpet tiles made entirely from natural and recycled materials, the product aligns perfectly with the government’s push towards sustainable building materials.

"One of the biggest hurdles has been the perception that wool can't offer the design freedom or longevity needed in commercial spaces," says Kylie Gibbs, National Sales Manager of Commercial at Signature Floors.

"But this product ticks every box - making it a smarter option for businesses prioritising long-term performance, value and environmental responsibility without compromising on aesthetics.”

The New Zealand Government’s recent announcement favouring natural fibres in public buildings is more than symbolic - it’s a tangible market opportunity. With thousands of square metres of floor space under its management, the government’s choice to use wool can significantly shift demand.

Signature Floors was invited to the official announcement at Parliament and Richard said it was encouraging to see real action behind the words.

“We’ve since presented to procurement teams and shown them what’s possible and the response has been overwhelmingly positive."

"This is a premium, socially responsible option that architects love," adds Kylie. "And because they can create completely unique, location-specific designs, like aerial images of a location in New Zealand or cultural motifs, directly printed onto the wool tiles, it offers them the flexibility of design they haven’t previously had."

The success of this initiative is the result of close collaboration between Signature Floors, Ege Carpets, and Bloch & Behrens. From early discussions to presenting jointly to government agencies, the shared commitment to New Zealand wool has driven innovation and opened new markets.

"Palle helped us get in front of key decision-makers, providing supporting documents, samples, and even mapped out which farms the wool came from, so we are truly appreciative of their assistance to get to where we are today,” says Richard.  

As more architects, designers, and project managers look for sustainable, locally sourced solutions, Signature Floors are ready. And the message is clear, 100% New Zealand wool is  the superior choice.

"To see 100% New Zealand wool finally recognised for its creative and commercial value again, while directly supporting our growers, is an extraordinary moment in my 28 years in the flooring industry," says Richard.

"With more volume, the economics improve for everyone, from farmer to end user. It’s a significant win-win for the wool industry and for New Zealand."