The Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS) announced on July 25 that the Soof Wool Mill, the country’s first sustainable factory dedicated to the processing of local wool, has been awarded the 2026 Innovative Energy Project of the Year for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region by the US-based Association of Energy Engineers (AEE). The award recognizes the project’s achievements in energy efficiency and sustainability.

The Soof Wool Mill was developed through a strategic national partnership involving KFAS, the Al Sadu Weaving Cooperative Society, and the Kuwait Livestock Transport and Trading Company. The initiative aims to maximize the value of locally sourced wool, particularly from the Naeemi sheep breed, while promoting sustainability and circular economy principles. The project originated from efforts by the Al Sadu Society to find productive uses for local wool, which had been underutilized previously.

KFAS supported the initiative by funding a research project conducted by the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) to assess the technical and economic feasibility of processing and improving Kuwaiti wool. The study confirmed that local wool processing was viable, leading to the establishment of the Soof center as a model for transforming scientific research into an industrial project with notable social, economic, and environmental benefits.

The center plays a role in reviving traditional wool spinning and weaving crafts by supplying high-quality local wool used in community training programs. This development has added economic value to sheep farming in Kuwait by creating a domestic market for wool, which was often exported at low prices, thereby improving returns for livestock producers.

In line with circular economy principles, the factory employs clean energy technologies, incorporates water recycling systems, and recycles production waste to produce organic fertilizer, reducing its environmental impact. KFAS indicated that winning the AEE award underscores the potential of Kuwaiti projects based on scientific research and national collaboration to compete successfully on regional and international levels.

The recognition from the Association of Energy Engineers highlights the progress of Kuwait in advancing sustainable industrial practices and the role of research-driven partnerships in fostering innovation within the country’s traditional sectors.