Stains on sofas and chairs are a common household challenge. Many households still cover furniture with blankets or fabrics to hide marks. A textile group has turned this problem into a strength, expanding across international markets with an innovative approach. The Aquaclean textile group operates from facilities in Alcoy and nearby towns, including Alicante and Muro, delivering fabrics that push stain resistance to new levels. The core feature is a fabric that makes most stains disappear with simple water and a light rub. This same fabric also repels mites and viruses, a benefit that resonates in today’s health-conscious environment.
Six decades ago, the company began its journey under the leadership of Alcoy businessman Rafael Pascual Albero. From the outset, the focus centered on two technologies — weaving and flocking — a dual emphasis that remains its guiding motto. The company’s evolution has been rapid, built on a foundation of innovation and high quality. Today, Rafael Pascual Bernabeu, the founder’s son, leads the firm and explains that the business philosophy emphasizes product differentiation over price competition.
The early years gave rise to a pivotal moment in the 1990s with a line that made upholstery easier to clean. It marked a turning point that enabled the company to enter international markets and establish a footprint in more than 80 countries.
Today, the textile group continues its trajectory with another fabric that acts as the heir to the company’s success. This is a premium fabric known for stain resistance, including tough marks such as those from ballpoint pens. The stains vanish quickly when water is applied and the fabric is lightly rubbed. The technology behind this breakthrough combines a mild liquid repellant with a micro-encapsulated detergent that activates with contact with water, a non-invasive chemistry that delivers excellent results.
Beyond stain resistance, the fabric includes features such as a mite protection system to reduce allergies and a virucidal option, all approved for use. Aquaclean is also offered in higher-performance variants, including versions with fire retardant properties for pet-friendly environments or tailored for contract furniture settings.
The company emphasizes that the goal is to give consumers maximum peace of mind. When investing in a sofa or chair, it aims to eliminate the worry of stains and the need for protective blankets.
The group also pursues sustainability by developing a line of fully recycled fabrics made from plastic bottles. The leadership notes that these fabrics, unlike disposable fashion, are designed to upholster sofas, chairs, and headboards that last around a decade, resulting in a relatively low CO2 footprint.
Aquaclean Group operates under the Interfabrics umbrella, which concentrates on upholstery fabrics. Its supplier network includes Antecuir, Textiles Pascual, and Pascual & Bernabeu, along with Destiny Decor for technical and traditional curtains and Serpiscolor for printing and finishing services for third-party textiles. The group also maintains a commercial warehouse in Poland.
Together, the network employs about 450 people and upholds a Made in Spain philosophy. The leadership highlights a strong social commitment to the region, extending beyond the company to collaborate with suppliers, service providers, and their families. The obligation to the community is presented as a core responsibility.
Covid-proof stain-resistant fabrics
After a slight dip in 2020, revenue rebounded to a robust level in the following year, reaching around 60 million euros. Production continues at about seven million meters of fabric annually, and the company’s international reach has even led to a contribution to a major international film project, illustrating the global presence of the business. This anecdote underscores the company’s substantial experience and impact.