ArrowArtboardCreated with Sketch.Title ChevronTitle ChevronIcon FacebookIcon LinkedinIcon Mail ContactPath LayerIcon MailPositive ArrowIcon Print
Startups

Mongolian entrepreneurs exploit cheap wool for new products

Sheep fleece turned into fertilizer and soap for export

Helen Botanical Beauty has been exporting its organic exfoliating soap -- which has a wool felt wrapper enclosing a ball of soap made from sheep tail fat and other natural ingredients -- to Europe. (Photo by Uugansukh Byamba)

ULAANBAATAR -- Mongolia is a leading player in the global market for wool -- for cashmere from goats that is.

The country is home to 30 million sheep, too. But unlike the merino breed prevalent in Australia and New Zealand whose soft, fine wool is valued for sweaters, scarves and other clothing almost as much as cashmere, Mongolia's 15 native breeds produce a fleece too thick and coarse for such use.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored Content This content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.

Nikkei Asian Review, now known as Nikkei Asia, will be the voice of the Asian Century.

Celebrate our next chapter
Free access for everyone - Sep. 30

Find out more