The golden alpaca label: a guarantee of quality
Ruukki Spinning Mill's long-term work in ecologically, socially, culturally and economically sustainable alpaca fiber production has been recognized by the Peruvian International Alpaca Association (IAA) in the form of the Golden Alpaca label. The organization has been operating since 1984 and during these years 49 international companies have been accepted as members. The latest is Ruukki Spinning Mill from the Mathildedal ironworks village.
The Peruvian International Alpaca Association (IAA) has awarded Ruukki Spinning Mill the Golden Alpaca Label. With this recognition, Ruukki Spinning Mill has risen to the ranks of companies manufacturing alpaca products known internationally for their quality. Among them are companies from Italy, Japan and Australia.
The label is only awarded to products that contain at least 100% Baby Alpaca-grade fiber. Baby Alpaca-grade fiber refers to the fine-grained structure of the fiber, which is also suitable for a baby's bare skin. In Finland, alpaca products are available with different fiber levels and different concentrations.
Ruukki's spinning mill still mainly uses Royal Alpaca , a much finer alpaca fiber than Baby alpaca. The supply of such fine-quality fiber is very limited, and therefore large fashion players cannot offer products of a comparable quality.
The mission of the Peruvian IAA organization is to provide the international market with very high quality, sustainably produced and innovatively designed alpaca fiber products. Alpaca originates from Peru and 80% of the world's alpaca fiber comes from Peruvian farms. 80% of these farms are still small-scale farmers with less than 100 alpacas.
Part of Ruukki Spinning Mill's responsibility work is to support the indigenous Peruvian people in alpaca farming and to ensure ecological and ethical production of alpaca fiber. Ruukki Spinning Mill's partners in Peru include IAA and the research and processing center Pacomarca .
Alpaca fiber has excellent properties also for Finnish conditions, as it is lightweight, dirt and water repellent, and regulates body temperature. Products made from fine alpaca fiber are suitable for all ages, from babies to grandparents, as alpaca fiber is naturally soft and hypoallergenic.
