Derelee Potroz-Smith is the CEO and Co-founder of Woolchemy based in New Zealand. Woolchemy processes wool with its innovative neweZorb treatment to make it super-absorbent. In this Wool Academy podcast, Derelee tells the story of how she and her mother came up with the idea for Woolchemy and how she developed the business over the past 10 years.

About Derelee Potroz-Smith

Derelee Potroz-Smith is the CEO and Co-Founder of Woolchemy in New Zealand.  She is a mother of three boys, an engineer, and an environmentalist. Her company Woolchemy have formulated a world first method that makes sheep wool super-absorbent for use in multiple moisture management applications. In 2017, Woolchemy was named finalists in the ’Going Circular’ category of the New Zealand NZI Sustainable Business Awards. Derelee comes from a wool producing upbringing and her mission is to pay farmers fairly for their wool clip and creating innovative biodegradable products for the better of our planet and our people.

Connect with Derelee Potroz-Smith here

Woolchemy website (http://www.woolchemy.com/)

Woolchemy on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/woolchemy-new-zealand)

Key Time Stamps

[spp-timestamp time="00:55"] About Derelee Potroz-Smith

[spp-timestamp time="02:04"] About Woolchemy

[spp-timestamp time="03:05"] The reason for starting Woolchemy

[spp-timestamp time="05:39"] How can Woolchemy make a difference for the environment?

[spp-timestamp time="10:33"] How Woolchemy is created

[spp-timestamp time="11:51"] The difference between neweZorb treated and untreated wool

[spp-timestamp time="12:55"] How much moisture can neweZorb treated wool absorb

[spp-timestamp time="13:39"] Odour management of neweZorb treated wool

[spp-timestamp time="15:28"] How sustainable is neweZorb?

[spp-timestamp time="16:32"] The process of building the business of Woolchemy

[spp-timestamp time="19:56"] Key learnings from developing the product and business

[spp-timestamp time="23:20"] The resilience of not giving up

[spp-timestamp time="25:12"] Key markets for Woolchemy products

[spp-timestamp time="30:55"] Working with family in a family business

[spp-timestamp time="34:16"] Next steps for Woolchemy

 

Other episodes you may enjoy

#033 (http://elisabethvandelden.podcastwebsites.com/033-philippa-wright/) Philippa Wright always brings on a new perspective to be successful in wool

#036 (http://elisabethvandelden.podcastwebsites.com/036-dave-maslen/) Dave Maslen about giving consumers a great wool experience

#041 (http://elisabethvandelden.podcastwebsites.com/041-graham-ormondroyd/) Graham Ormondoryd on how wool improves indoor air quality

#051 (http://elisabethvandelden.podcastwebsites.com/051-steve-ranford/) Steve Ranford about wool research

#055 (http://elisabethvandelden.podcastwebsites.com/055-ben-watts/) Ben Watts about how automation is helping wool growers on farm

#075 (http://elisabethvandelden.podcastwebsites.com/075-ingun-klepp/) Ingun Klepp on how consumer research reveals new business opportunities for wool

#076 (http://elisabethvandelden.podcastwebsites.com/076-stephen-wiedemann/) Stephen Wiedemann about Wool Life Cycle Assessment Edit

#082 (http://elisabethvandelden.podcastwebsites.com/082-jacob-long/) Jacob Long about re-launching American Woolen

#088 (http://elisabethvandelden.podcastwebsites.com/088-john-roberts/) John Roberts about the Woolmark Resource Center