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LATU, a key player in positioning Uruguayan wool worldwide
LATU’s participation in the 95th Congress of the International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO) once again highlighted its strategic role in supporting the international positioning of Uruguayan wool. Its presence in this forum allowed Uruguay to be represented in the spaces where the technical and commercial rules guiding the global wool market are discussed and updated.
From June 23 to 26, 2026, the 95th IWTO Congress was held in Dalang, Dongguan, China, the leading annual gathering of the global wool value chain. The event brought together 238 participants from different wool-producing, processing, trading, laboratory, research, and brand sectors linked to the global wool industry.
In this international setting, LATU played an active role within the IWTO’s technical and scientific community, reaffirming its position as a benchmark institution for Uruguay’s wool industry. Its presence is especially significant because it is the only regional reference center in wool quality assessment licensed by IWTO for different testing methods, enabling it to issue internationally recognized certificates and facilitate access for Uruguayan wool to major markets, especially China.
The choice of Dalang, internationally recognized as the “world capital of knitwear,” was particularly meaningful. This city is home to more than 28,000 textile companies linked to wool and produces hundreds of millions of garments each year, making it one of the main hubs for innovation, manufacturing, and marketing of wool products in China and worldwide.
During the congress, key issues for the present and future of the sector were addressed. Topics such as sustainability, supply chain digitalization, traceability, technological innovation, and the competitiveness of natural fibers compared with synthetic ones were central to the discussions.
One of the major milestones was the launch of the IWTO Green Book, a new technical reference aimed at strengthening communication and understanding of wool’s environmental attributes by providing scientific evidence of its contribution to more sustainable textile systems.
Likewise, the working groups and technical forums discussed strategic issues for the future of the sector, including emerging regulatory requirements in Europe, textile product traceability, and the challenges of scientifically demonstrating the environmental benefits of natural fibers.
In this international setting, LATU played an active role representing Uruguay within the technical and scientific community that makes up the IWTO.
Participation in the congress is especially important because LATU is the only regional reference center in wool quality assessment with IWTO licensing for different testing methods, a condition that allows it to issue internationally recognized certificates and thereby facilitate trade in Uruguayan wool to the world’s main markets, particularly China.
For LATU, being part of this event made it possible to maintain a presence in the forums where international wool standards are defined and updated, strengthen ties with laboratories, technical organizations, and actors across the global textile chain, gain first-hand knowledge of the regulatory, technological, and commercial trends that will impact the sector, represent the interests of Uruguay’s wool industry in international technical discussions, and reaffirm Uruguay’s position as a reliable supplier of certified high-quality wool.
At a time when consumers demand greater transparency, sustainability, and traceability, the ability to gain early access to new international trends is key for Uruguay’s wool value chain to remain competitive and continue positioning itself as a supplier of high-quality natural fibers.
Recent advances for the wool industry achieved by LATU within IWTO
The importance of this role is also reflected in the recent advances promoted by LATU within IWTO. At the IWTO Congress in Lille 2025, a technical proposal submitted by LATU’s Textiles, Raw Wool, Tops and Leather Department won international approval to modernize fiber diameter certification through the exclusive use of the Laserscan method, a significant step forward for the competitiveness of Uruguayan wool.
Participation in Dalang also helped strengthen ties with China, the main destination for Uruguayan wool, and further consolidate LATU as a leading technical partner for domestic producers, exporters, and industries operating in international markets.
In this way, LATU reaffirms its commitment to developing tools and standards that strengthen the international positioning of Uruguayan wool and contribute to more efficient, transparent, and competitive trade.
