We use only 100 per cent solution-dyed acrylic fibres in Agora fabrics
Agora stands as a hallmark of excellence, reliability, and expertise in the world of high-end fabrics for decoration and upholstery. With over a decade of experience, the company has consistently delivered superior performance through its use of 100 per cent solution-dyed acrylic fibre. Designed to endure the harshest outdoor conditions, Agora fabrics incorporate multiple qualities and treatments, ensuring they excel in even the most demanding environments. Sales Director, David Heiman speaks to Fibre2Fashion about quality, collections, sustainability and more.
What challenges do textile companies face when ensuring their products meet various safety and performance standards?
The biggest challenge is to create less waste and ensure the same performance without being as damaging to the planet. Much like the push to eliminate PFAS chemicals from textiles, sometimes the technology takes time to catch up with demand.
Can you provide a brief overview of the history and evolution of Agora over the past 10 years?
Agora has experienced a remarkable journey over the past decade, rooted in the history of its parent company, Tuvatextil, which was founded in 1997. In 1998, Tuvatextil introduced Acrisol, a 100 per cent acrylic upholstery brand. The pivotal moment came in 2011 when Tuvatextil was acquired by the Sauleda Group, leading to the creation of the Agora brand. This marked the beginning of a new era of high-end fabric production for decoration and upholstery. By 2020, Agora achieved vertical integration with the acquisition of a finishing plant, enhancing its production capabilities. The brand’s global footprint expanded significantly in 2023 with the opening of a showroom in Jakarta, followed by further expansion in 2024 with the establishment of a warehouse and sales offices in the US. Through these strategic milestones, Agora has solidified its position as a leader in the fabric industry, renowned for its excellence, quality, and innovation.
What sets Agora fabrics apart from other high-end fabric brands in terms of quality and performance?
As a producer of 100 per cent solution-dyed acrylic (SDA) fabrics, Agora avoids blending with inferior fibres such as polyester, PVC, or olefin, ensuring superior durability and colour retention. Our fully integrated production process allows for complete control over product standards throughout manufacturing, guaranteeing consistent excellence. Further, in-house finishing capabilities enable Agora to offer fabrics with an enhanced feel while providing customers with non-PFAS and waterproof options. Additionally, Agora utilises state-of-the-art textile machinery to produce upholstery fabric at widths of 63 inches and beyond, improving yields for furniture and umbrella production. This combination of high-quality materials, meticulous production control, advanced finishing techniques, and innovative machinery sets Agora fabrics apart as a leader in the industry.
Could you explain the benefits of using SDA fibre in your fabrics?
Using 100 per cent SDA fibres in Agora fabrics offers numerous benefits, drawing on decades of proven textile science. These fibres are renowned for their exceptional colour-fastness, durability, cleanability, and softness. SDA is a synthetic fibre that resists normal decomposition, unlike most organic alternatives. Each SDA fibre is fully saturated with colour, minimising UV degradation and ensuring consistent resistance to mould, mildew, and maintaining strength characteristics over time. This intrinsic durability and colour retention make SDA fibres superior for creating long-lasting, high-performance fabrics suitable for a variety of demanding environments.
How do you ensure the durability and resistance of your fabrics in harsh outdoor conditions?
Agora is committed to using only SDA fibres and maintaining complete control over the production process from start to finish. This meticulous approach guarantees that each fabric meets the highest standards of quality and performance. Further demonstrating our commitment to durability, Agora offers a non-prorated 5-year warranty, underscoring the brand’s confidence in the long-lasting resilience and superior quality of its products.
What specific qualities and treatments are incorporated into your fabrics to enhance their performance?
Agora fabrics are enhanced with specific qualities and treatments to ensure superior performance. Central to this enhancement is the proprietary finish known as Eco-Shield. This exclusive finish incorporates anti-stain and water-repellent characteristics, significantly boosting the fabric’s resilience and longevity. The scientific formula of Eco-Shield is a closely guarded recipe, unique to Agora fabrics, ensuring that they maintain their exceptional standards and performance in various demanding environments.
What are some of the most popular collections within the Agora range, and what unique features do they offer?
Among the most popular collections within the Agora range are Liso and Panama, which are renowned for their wide range of colours and the depth and subtle variance they offer despite their straightforward economic construction. The Twitell collection features a double-face fabric, providing versatility and unique design possibilities. The Armonias collection stands out with its trendy colours and soft textures, catering to contemporary aesthetic preferences. Additionally, the Gaiá collection is celebrated for its distinctive design and consistency, making it a favourite among those seeking both style and reliability.
How do you balance creativity and design with functionality and durability in your fabric collections?
The five professional designers at Agora work tirelessly to research industry trends and styles, ensuring that the fabrics are aesthetically appealing. They go beyond just aesthetics by closely collaborating with production engineers and supply chain specialists for achieving a high-quality product.
What are the key considerations when designing fabrics for both outdoor and indoor use?
When designing fabrics for both outdoor and indoor use, Agora prioritises both design and performance. Key considerations include aesthetics, ensuring the fabrics are visually appealing; durability, guaranteeing they can withstand various environmental conditions; and easy care and cleaning, making maintenance straightforward for users.
How do you address environmental concerns in your production processes, particularly with regard to the use of recycled materials?
Agora addresses environmental concerns through a strong commitment to sustainability in its production processes. This begins with the use of sustainable power sources, such as the newly renovated hydro-electric plant in Gironella, Spain, which can offset traditional power grid usage by 20 per cent during certain times of the year.
Additionally, we have created a recycled brand called Agora Life, which captures post-production waste and recycles it into reusable fibres and yarns specifically for that product.
What innovations or new technologies are you currently exploring or implementing in fabric production?
Agora’ s primary focus towards innovation is to improve the performance of our non-PFAS finish. Our technical team is currently investigating many exciting new technologies that offer real potential for improved performance without the use of harsh chemicals.
How are you addressing the industry’s challenge of removing harmful chemicals while maintaining performance standards in fabric production?
As mentioned previously, the biggest drive within the industry is removing harmful chemicals from production without jeopardising performance standards. Agora looks towards technology and innovation to solve this challenge, actively working to improve the performance of its non-PFAS finish through the investigation of new, promising technologies.
Agora places a strong emphasis on durability and longevity in its fabrics. Why?
Agora believes that durability is sustainability, which is why all efforts are focused on creating strong, long-lasting fabrics. By producing quality products, Agora helps reduce consumption, thereby benefitting the environment.
How do consumer preferences and demands influence the development and design of high-end fabrics?
Consumers drive every manufacturer on the planet, so we obviously must keep up-to-date on trends and listen to our customers’ needs. The biggest push recently from consumers is for fabrics with more depth and texture. This drove our design team to work closely with our technical team to create and develop more boucle and channel yarns. Our latest collection, Armonias, is full of these types of innovations specific to customer requests.
How do you balance aesthetic appeal with functional performance in your fabric offerings?
For Agora fabrics, the primary focus is on performance. It is because customers will not give a second chance if the product fails prematurely in the market. We start with simpler design aiming to maximise performance, and once achieved, develop more intricate designs. Today, we have a wide range of patterns and textures suitable for all kinds of projects, balancing aesthetic appeal with functional performance.
