Woolona strides ahead with Merino activewear

Woolona is the activewear brand of Hasyün, a next to skin knitwear manufacturer that was established in 1952 in Turkey. The company has been a Woolmark licensee since 1993 and proudly produces its apparel using Australian Merino wool.

Hasyün specialises in the knitting of wool and wool blend underwear for the local Turkish market, while its Woolona brand sells its range of wool base-layers, mid-layers and accessories into global sports, outdoor and casual markets.

As well as being very active in the Turkish market, the Woolona brand has a big presence in Germany and other European countries and the US. Woolona also manufactures products for other international brands. It sources its Merino wool yarn from spinners such as Südwolle and Italfil.

“We knit wool and wool blends in a variety of weights which enables us to create a wide range of products for all seasons. The Woolmark certification of Woolona products provides our customers with an extra assurance of our products’ quality,” said Woolona CEO, Ahmet Yibar.

“We pride ourselves on showcasing the natural source, beauty and benefits of Australian Merino wool to consumers. By using high-quality yarns and fabrics and cutting-edge machinery, we believe we are setting new standards in sustainable textile design, as exemplified by our award-winning Merino Wool Polo.”

Having a strong local manufacturing industry, Turkey is an important country in which AWI and Woolmark work to build the awareness and use of Australian wool. Turkey also benefits from its proximity to European retail markets as well as from its own domestic market that is increasingly sophisticated.

Woolona’s Merino Wool Polo wins ISPO Award

Woolona’s award-winning Merino Wool Polo is made from 100% Merino wool.

Woolona’s Merino Wool Polo was launched in August last year. It is made from 100% Australian Merino wool that Woolona has crafted into a high-quality, 170 gsm fabric with a ‘pique’ structure.

A pique fabric has a tiny waffle pattern that is ideal for polo shirts and is normally created with a cotton yarn. However, Woolona’s use of a 100% Merino wool pique fabric combines the customary durability of a pique structure with Merino wool’s renowned natural qualities including comfort, breathability, temperature regulation and odour resistance.

Retailers benefit by offering a product that merges functionality and elegance, while customers enjoy a shirt that stays fresh for multiple wears during outdoor adventures or more casual occasions.

“This shirt embodies the perfect synergy of form and function, offering day-long freshness,” said Radovan Kovac, an adventurer involved in its development.

The Merino Wool Polo recently won a prestigious award from ISPO, the leading international sporting platform that helps connect businesses in the industry. ISPO Awards highlight the latest global trends and innovations in product design and materials. By winning the ISPO Award, the Woolona product was showcased at ISPO Munich, the world’s foremost trade show for the sports industry, which attracted 55,000 international attendees in December.

The ISPO Award Jury noted in particular the garments’s natural climate control, comfort and elegant pique knit design.

“An innovative use of Merino wool for everyday needs. The pique knit design adds a unique touch to the polo shirt – no blend, just pure Merino knit. A sustainable textile that combines outdoor functionality with fashion appeal.”

ISPO Award Jury

“The ISPO Award confirms our dedication to innovation and quality, inspiring us to explore new paths,” said Woolona’s Ahmet Yibar.

More information: www.woolona.com

This article appeared in the Autumn 2025 edition of AWI’s Beyond the Bale magazine that was published in March 2025. Reproduction of the article is encouraged.