Keratec is a biotechnology company, based in Christchurch, New Zealand, creating new materials from natural sources using advanced and innovative technologies.

The company has captured the unique characteristics of keratin, one of nature’s most successful materials, to create a range of exciting new dietary supplement and personal care ingredients, medical materials and other biopolymer products.

Keratin, which comprises 95% of the wool fiber, is tough and insoluble which allows it to perform a fundamental structural role in many biological systems. These are desirable characteristics in many industrial and consumer materials currently derived from synthetic polymers.

The organization uses a novel process which dissolves then isolates fractions of keratin proteins and lipids from pure New Zealand wool while preserving the functional characteristics - reconstitution of these biopolymer materials enables the capture of the distinct and highly functional characteristics of the original proteins and lipids.

Keratec is developing and investigating commercial opportunities in the product areas of:

• Dietary Supplements, where keratins ability to help joint care and skin care is well demonstrated
• Cosmetics, where keratins can be used to impart superior properties in skin, hair and nail care formulations
• Medical materials where new biopolymer materials can create highly innovative biomaterial products

Keratec is at the forefront of sustainable industrial practice, both from an environmental and economic viewpoint. All products are produced using environmentally sound proprietary processes and no animals are harmed through any part of the Keratec process.

Keratec is a subsidiary of Wool Equities, which have a 94.5% (indirect and direct ownership) shareholding. The remainder is owned by Canesis Network Limited.

As well as being a natural cosmetic ingredient supplier to the personal care industry, Keratec is using its patented protein fractions technology to develop nutritional supplements, medical materials and industrial materials.

Due to the unique biosecurity status of New Zealand, all Keratec products are guaranteed free of TSE/BSE.