Business Spotlight: LanoTech

Based in Powys and Aberystwyth, LanoTech is pioneering the use of British lanolin as a sustainable alternative to soy and vegetable oil in animal feed. By working with Welsh farmers, research institutions, and feed manufacturers, LanoTech is on a mission to boost the value of wool while reducing reliance on imported feed oils. 

We caught up with founder and project lead, Clodagh Weingart, to discuss this innovative approach…

Can you start by telling us about LanoTech?

Currently, we are focused on testing British lanolin as an alternative ingredient to soy and vegetable oil in animal feed. For those who don’t know, lanolin is the natural grease found in sheep’s wool; a byproduct of sheep farming. 

The idea came about after a conversation I had with a Mexican shrimp farmer where I learned that people elsewhere in the world were already feeding lanolin to shrimps. This made me realise that in the UK we have an incredible natural resource in wool but it's hugely underutilised. Most of the UK’s lanolin is exported for cosmetics and I thought; why can’t we create a domestic market for British lanolin? With support from the Welsh Government, we’re now conducting lab tests and plan to begin animal trials later this year.

What do you plan to do with lanolin?

We plan to use lanolin as a key ingredient in animal feed, offering Welsh farmers a sustainable way to gain more value from their sheep. Many small farms focus on meat production, leaving wool as an underutilised byproduct.

By incorporating lanolin back into feed, we close the loop on sheep farming, making the process more efficient and environmentally friendly. This approach not only supports local agriculture but also reimagines the role of wool in farming, unlocking its potential in a way that hasn’t been done before. 

It is worth noting that our lanolin-based feed will be for monogastrics such as pigs, poultry and aquaculture, rather than ruminants such as sheep and cattle. This is an important distinction given the caution and restrictions around animal by-products in feed following the BSE crisis. 

Why did you choose to start your business in Wales, and how has the support system for startups helped you?

Wales was the natural place to set up my business. I grew up on a farm in Powys and it’s my home. After spending time in Spain, earning my master’s degree, and starting a business there, I felt a strong pull back to my roots. The sense of home never really leaves you, and I saw a real opportunity to make a positive impact to the community here. With LanoTech, I can support Welsh farmers and the communities that shaped me - something incredibly important to me. Not to mention, we have a lot of sheep in Wales!

The support system for startups in Wales has also been outstanding. Having started businesses in both Spain and Wales, I’ve found that the practical, action-oriented support here has exceeded my expectations. Even compared to Barcelona, a well-known startup hub, Wales offers an environment where entrepreneurs are truly supported in turning their ideas into reality.

I have been particularly lucky to find myself among a group of motivated, enthusiastic individuals at AberInnovation and Aberystwyth University, where I have conducted the majority of my technical research to date.  We share common values, and I really enjoy the lab work. Before starting LanoTech, my last lab experience was in GCSE Biology, so the team has been patient and great in explaining everything. My role is to guide the team, ensuring we have clear direction and identifying key questions. Together we’re learning a huge amount about a fascinating substance, lanolin, that’s been extracted since the Roman times but has been left unexplored. 

What has been LanoTech’s biggest milestone so far?

On one hand, securing funding has been essential for our progress - so far, we’ve raised about £100k of public investment thanks to a combination of AberInnovation, Innovation Strategy, the Welsh Government SBRI and Innovate UK. But beyond that, one of our biggest milestones was discovering that lanolin has a higher gross energy than both soy and vegetable oil. This means you can feed less lanolin for the same energy output in animal feed.

This is incredibly exciting because, at a basic raw cost level, lanolin performs better than the alternatives. We’re still testing to see how well animals can digest it, but if the results hold, this could be a real game-changer!

Why did you join GlobalWelsh?

As a solo founder, it’s really important for me to connect with others in the entrepreneurship world. I’m currently the only person full-time at LanoTech. I work closely with technical experts, farmers, and feed manufacturers, but I don’t have a team yet. Joining GlobalWelsh is all about networking and finding people who can offer advice and support. I’m new to this and need a support system where I can ask questions, gain insights, and expand my knowledge, especially in terms of building a business case around our product.

What’s next for LanoTech?

By the end of the year, we aim to begin animal feed trials and scale British lanolin sourcing. Our goal is to create a more sustainable, profitable wool market, keeping more value with UK farmers. With the UK producing 30% of the EU’s wool, much of its value is lost overseas. 

By focusing on lanolin, we can drive a circular economy, keep more value with farmers, and meet the growing demand for sustainable, ethically sourced animal feed - especially as consumers become more aware of food origins and its impact.

Connect with LanoTech via GlobalWelsh >>

Clodagh will be pitching at Connect to London: Celebrating Female Entrepreneurship. Register for the event here >>