Frequently Asked Questions

WoolAid manufactures the world's first medical grade bandages, nasal strips and mouth tape from New Zealand medical grade merino wool, a PFAS free, biodegradable alternative to plastic adhesive products. When we say "medical grade merino wool," we mean our merino wool has passed toxicology testing and is certified to ISO 13485, the international standard for medical device quality management systems. Below are six key questions that explain why merino wool is uniquely suited for direct skin contact in medical applications, supported by independent scientific research.

WoolAid's merino wool has passed toxicology testing and is manufactured under ISO 13485 certification, the internationally recognised quality management standard for medical devices. This means our wool has been rigorously tested to confirm it is safe for direct and prolonged contact with human skin, and that our production processes meet the same quality controls required of conventional medical products. Combined with merino's natural properties, including breathability, moisture management and softness, this certification gives consumers and healthcare professionals confidence that WoolAid bandages, nasal strips and mouth tape meet the highest safety and quality benchmarks.

Unlike conventional adhesive bandages made from plastic films and synthetic fibers, merino wool is a naturally breathable fibre that actively manages moisture and temperature against your skin. Merino can absorb up to 35% of its own weight in moisture before it even begins to feel wet, then gradually releases that moisture back into the environment. This creates a balanced, comfortable microclimate between the bandage and your skin, keeping the wound site dry without trapping heat and sweat the way plastic occlusive dressings do. University of Otago research confirmed that merino keeps skin drier and at a lower temperature compared to synthetic fibres, and wearers consistently perceived the merino side of test garments as more comfortable. For bandages, nasal strips and mouth tape that sit directly on sensitive skin for extended periods, this breathability is not just a comfort advantage. It supports a healthier healing environment.

This is one of the most common misconceptions about wool. Research conducted at CSIRO and Monash University demonstrated that the prickle sensation people associate with wool is caused entirely by fibre diameter, not by the fibre type itself. Coarse fibres of any material, including synthetics, will trigger pain receptors in the skin if they are too thick to bend on contact. WoolAid uses superfine merino in the 17 to 19 micron range, which is roughly one third the diameter of a human hair. At this fineness, the fibres simply flex and bend when they touch the skin, producing only a sensation of softness. Detailed studies have shown almost identical skin comfort responses from wearers of fabrics made from different fibre types when the fibre diameter was the same. In other words, superfine merino is inherently gentle on skin and does not cause irritation, making it well suited for medical applications on sensitive or compromised skin.

Merino is a technically active fibre with an intrinsic ability to thermoregulate, insulating you when it is cold and releasing heat and moisture when you are warm. Research at the University of Otago and Melbourne’s Victoria University found that participants wearing merino had significantly lower heart rates, lower body heat content, and a longer time to onset of sweating compared to those wearing polyester, in both hot and cold conditions. For a medical product like a bandage, nasal strip or mouth tape, this means the covered skin area stays at a more stable, comfortable temperature. There is no build up of trapped heat and moisture that can lead to skin maceration, irritation or discomfort. These are problems commonly associated with plastic adhesive products that act as a sealed barrier against the skin.

Yes, and this is a significant advantage for any product worn on the skin. Scientific studies by the Wool Research Organisation of New Zealand and the University of Otago confirmed that wool generates significantly less odour than cotton, polyester, polypropylene and acrylic after wear. The research showed that merino effectively wicks moisture away from the body and allows it to evaporate, which deprives bacteria of the damp conditions they need to proliferate. For medical applications, this natural odour and bacteria resistance means a cleaner, fresher product during extended wear, whether that is a bandage worn for a full day, a nasal strip used overnight, or mouth tape applied during sleep. Unlike synthetic bandages that can develop an unpleasant smell and harbour bacteria in trapped moisture, merino's fibre structure actively works against microbial build up.

Conventional adhesive bandages are made from plastic, primarily polyester and polypropylene films, and many have been found to contain PFAS (per and polyfluoroalkyl substances), known as "forever chemicals." These synthetic materials never fully biodegrade; every piece of polyester ever manufactured still exists on the planet today. When washed or discarded, synthetic products shed microplastic fibres. A single synthetic garment can release up to 250,000 microfibres per wash cycle, which enter waterways, are consumed by marine life, and ultimately re enter the human food chain. Merino wool, by contrast, is a 100% natural, renewable fibre that biodegrades readily and poses no microplastic threat. WoolAid's merino is also traceable and certified to New Zealand farms where sheep are humanely treated under the ZQ accreditation programme, which guarantees the five freedoms of animal welfare and prohibits mulesing. By choosing a merino wool bandage, nasal strip or mouth tape, you are placing a natural, PFAS free, toxicology tested material against your skin instead of a plastic one, while also making a choice that is better for the environment.

The adhesive is Duro-Tak 180129A from Henkel, formulated specifically for medical use. It contains acrylic polymers in a solvent base that quickly evaporates once exposed to air—within seconds of application. What remains is a superfine adhesive film; This keeps the bandage in place come hill or high water. This technology has been the gold standard wound care for years.

The adhesive ingredients are petroleum based produced from crude oil or natural gas. Duro-Tak 180129A is made by Henkel at their Shanghai facility. Petroleum based adhesives are the industry gold standard for achieving clinical efficacy, safety and all weather performance.

No. The acrylic polymer doesn’t break down naturally in the environment. Once the liquid solvents evaporate (which happens within minutes of applying the bandage), what remains is a stable plastic-like film that persists indefinitely. This durability is actually why it works so well for medical use as it’s designed to stay put and resist breaking down. Our merino wool biodegrades after four months when exposed to soil, but unfortunately the adhesive isn’t. This is a current limitation across the entire medical adhesive industry. We’re honest about this: it’s not ideal, and it’s an area where better solutions are needed industry-wide.

Yes. This is a medical-grade adhesive specifically designed for skin. The Duro-Tak family of adhesives has been used in medical products for decades. The safety warnings on the data sheet refer to the concentrated liquid form during manufacturing—by the time it’s on your bandage and the solvents have evaporated, it’s gentle and hypoallergenic. It won’t cause sensitization or allergic reactions in most people, and it’s formulated to be kind to skin while still sticking reliably.

The big difference: it’s PFAS-free. Many conventional plastic bandages contain PFAS (“forever chemicals”) in their adhesives or plastic backing. These chemicals never break down and accumulate in your body and the environment. Our acrylic adhesive achieves medical-grade performance without PFAS. Yes, it’s still petroleum-based and not biodegradable, but it’s a significant step up from PFAS-containing alternatives. We’re choosing the lesser of two evils until better technology becomes available.

While our merino wool backing is natural, renewable, and biodegradable, the adhesive is still synthetic and petroleum-based. We’re transparent about this because we believe you deserve to know what’s in our products. The medical adhesive industry hasn’t caught up with fully sustainable solutions yet, but we’ve eliminated PFAS—which is a meaningful improvement for your health and the environment.

In an independent 10-month soil study by AgResearch, WoolAid bandages biodegraded 71% while plastic bandages showed 0% degradation over the same period. At the 110-day mark, WoolAid had already broken down 66%, whereas plastic remained completely unchanged. The merino wool fabric, which makes up the majority of the bandage, returns to the earth in months, not centuries.

The merino wool fabric that forms the bandage backing is what biodegrades. The medical-grade adhesive and the absorbent wound pad do not fully biodegrade at the same rate as the merino wool. What sets WoolAid apart is that 71% of our bandage (by weight) returns to soil, compared to 0% for traditional plastic alternatives. Similarly, our nasal strips currently contain a structural bridge component that provides the spring mechanism. This bridge does not biodegrade. We are working each day to find commercially available and clinically efficacious sustainable solutions.

Yes. The medical-grade adhesive does slow the biodegradation process and does not break down as completely as the merino wool. The study showed that 100% merino fabric completely biodegraded by day 110, while WoolAid reached 66% degradation at the same point due to the adhesive's resistance. The biodegradation continued to 71% by day 299. While we're working toward fully biodegradable adhesives as the technology advances, our current formulation still delivers dramatically better environmental outcomes than plastic bandages that persist indefinitely.

The AgResearch study tested a hybrid bandage made with thread and synthetic co-polymer. After 299 days, this hybrid material had only degraded 25%, significantly slower than WoolAid's 71%. Even products that appear to blend natural and synthetic materials still rely heavily on plastics that persist in the environment. WoolAid's medical merino wool based design means the vast majority of what you apply to your skin will return to soil, not sit in landfill for generations.

Yes. This biodegradation study was conducted by AgResearch, New Zealand's leading agricultural and environmental research institute, at their Lincoln Research Farm. The trial followed rigorous scientific protocols including randomised sample placement, statistical analysis, and controlled monitoring of soil temperature and moisture over 299 days. The study compared WoolAid against standard plastic bandages and hybrid alternatives using the same burial conditions for all products, providing transparent, third-party verification of our biodegradability claims.

Note: We're committed to transparency about our environmental impact. While no medical bandage can be 100% biodegradable while maintaining safety and effectiveness standards, WoolAid represents a significant step toward sustainable wound care: 71% biodegradation versus 0% for plastic alternatives.

We are looking for people and businesses who share our belief that natural materials belong on your skin, not plastic. This includes outdoor and adventure guides, remote luxury lodges and wilderness accommodations, athletes and sports professionals, health and wellness influencers, and content creators in the outdoor, travel and active lifestyle space. Whether you want to use WoolAid products in your everyday operations, recommend them to your clients or feature them in your content, we would love to hear from you.

We offer product seeding to approved partners so you can experience our medical grade merino wool bandages, nasal strips and mouth tape firsthand. From there, partnerships are flexible. Lodges and guiding operations can stock WoolAid in their first aid kits and guest amenities. Athletes and influencers can share their experience with their audience through social content, reviews or race day coverage. We work with each partner individually to find an arrangement that feels authentic and adds genuine value for your community.

We currently supply partners in New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the United States. If you are based in any of these markets, we can get product to you. European inquires will be considered on a case by case basis.

Yes, we are building an affiliate programme that will be coming online soon. This will give partners the ability to earn from every sale they refer. If you are interested in being among the first to join, reach out to us now and we will make sure you are on the list when it launches.

If you are a lodge, guide, athlete, influencer or business that aligns with the WoolAid mission, we want to hear from you. Send us a message through our website contact form or email us directly at hello@woolaid.com. Tell us a bit about who you are, what you do and how you see WoolAid fitting into your world. We review every enquiry and aim to respond within a few business days.

FAQ Research sources: University of Otago (NZ), Clothing and Textile Sciences; Victoria University Melbourne, ISEAL; CSIRO Division of Textile Industry; Monash University Physiology Department; Wool Research Organisation of New Zealand (WRONZ); Sydney University (AWI funded sleep study); ZQ Natural Fibre Technical Factsheets 2025, The New Zealand Merino Company.

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Frequently Asked Questions