The Martindale test: how to read fabric specs like a pro

There’s a number that appears on almost every professional fabric spec sheet, and most people scroll right past it. It sits next to the word “Martindale,” usually followed by a figure in the tens of thousands, and it quietly tells you more about how a material will hold up in real life than almost any […]

What is “Vegan Leather” Really Made Of? (PU vs PVC vs Bio-based)

Walk into any furniture showroom, car dealership, or hotel lobby today and you’ll likely encounter vegan leather. It’s everywhere, and for good reason. But the term itself can be misleading, since “vegan leather” isn’t one material; it’s a family of very different products with distinct compositions, strengths, and use cases. Before specifying vegan leather for […]

Ergonomics and Upholstery in Dental Chairs

Few people walk into a dental clinic feeling at ease. That slight tension in the shoulders, the instinct to grip the armrests; it’s completely normal, and it’s something every dental professional knows well. But many patients don’t realize that their surroundings can ease their anxiety. The chair they sit in, the texture they feel against […]

Q-BIK: the first functional upholstery fabric that redefines sensory comfort.

At Alonso Mercader, we are proud to introduce Q-BIK, a revolutionary 3D technical textile designed to enhance the user experience of contract furniture, hospitality environments, and interior design projects. This innovative 3D technical textile, developed with recycled polyeter and an anatomical cubic structure, combines: • Sensory comfort• Technical performance• Sustainability• Contemporary design Q-BIK represents a […]

Designing Waiting Rooms: Balancing Hygiene with Patient Comfort

You can tell a lot about a healthcare space in the first few seconds of walking into its waiting room. Is it calm or chaotic? Does it look cared for? Most people won’t say it out loud, but they notice cleanliness, comfort, and whether the room feels welcoming, especially when they’re already stressed. The good […]

Outdoor contract furniture: materials that resist mold and fading

Outdoor seating in contract spaces lives a busy life. Between strong sun, humidity, sudden showers, and constant turnover, fabrics and finishes don’t get many “days off.” The good news is that you can keep terraces and patios looking sharp without turning upkeep into a never-ending task if the materials are specified with the real environment […]

Alonso Mercader and Pure Silicone: the new generation of sustainable technical textiles

At Alonso Mercader, as a technical textile manufacturer, we remain committed to innovation and sustainability. Our most advanced solution, Pure Silicone, redefines quality standards in the contract, hospitality, catering, nautical, furniture, transportation, aviation, healthcare, and community sectors (cinemas, gyms, theaters, and spas). More than just a material, Pure Silicone represents a paradigm shift: it combines […]

Alonso Mercader and light: innovation in technical textiles with lasting protection

At Alonso Mercader, we know that light is a source of energy, but also a challenge for professional upholstery. Just as engineer Theodore H. Maiman revolutionized science in 1960 by creating the first laser beam, we have turned light management in technical textiles into a key innovation for extending their useful life and maintaining their […]

Alonso Mercader revolutionizes technical textiles for interiors: goodbye PVC, hello innovative polyurethane

At Alonso Mercader, we understand the demands of architects, interior designers, upholsterers, and specifiers who are looking for more sustainable, technical, and comfortable materials for contract, hotel, residential, and collective projects. That’s why we present Super Filtech and Super Panam, two interior textiles that mark a before and after in professional upholstery.