Bebiana Rocha
Flexitex, a mattress fabric and knit fabric company based in São João da Madeira, has created a new finishing impregnated with olive pomace oil. “Is there a more Portuguese product than olives?” asks the company rhetorically, attributing the main characteristic of this creation to its softness.
“This product is a demonstration of the innovative capacity of the entire Flexitex team. Our R&D department has once again mobilised all its knowledge to prepare a special, vegan, sustainable finish,” comments Domingos Leite de Castro, CEO.
After harvesting, the olives are washed and sent to the mill. During olive oil extraction, a paste is formed with a smaller amount of oil and stone, known as olive pomace. Olive pomace oil is extracted from this residue, “which contains solid parts of the olive, such as the skin, pulp, stones and remains of the oil”.
Flexitex told T Jornal that they have been developing the product for a year and are now ready to start presenting it to customers. “The tests finished a fortnight ago, it’s a unique development worldwide, with guaranteed longevity, it lasts 10 years of a mattress’ life,” says the company. The idea of exploring this product came from the antioxidant properties of olive oil, which has long been used in skincare products.
About four years ago, Flexitex presented an innovative range of products that consisted of incorporating CBD oil into fabrics. It also has products with recycled PET yarn. “We work 60 per cent with the domestic market and the rest internationally, focusing on small series, which brings added value,” she says.