Revolutionizing upholstery: How Agua Fabrics is leading the future of contract fabrics
For over 80 years, Agua Fabrics has been quietly revolutionizing the world of high-performance upholstery. What began in the 1930s as a family business supplying uniforms and hospital gowns has transformed into one of the UK’s premier suppliers of waterproof, flame-retardant, and stain-resistant contract fabrics.
Today, their products are found across a wide range of sectors—healthcare, hospitality, workplace, cruise, education, and leisure. But what makes them stand out isn’t just their durability—it’s their relentless drive to innovate.
Performance meets purpose
Agua Fabrics. offers more than 700 fabrics across 35 collections. From high-performance faux leathers and microfibres to soft woven textures and outdoor-ready textiles, every collection is designed with intense usage in mind.
These aren’t your average commercial fabrics. All collections are engineered to meet strict technical requirements:
- Waterproof
- Stain-resistant
- Anti-microbial
- Fire-retardant (meeting Crib 5 or IMO standards)
And their advanced fabric treatment, AguaGuard 365, adds an extra layer of protection—one that includes virus-resistant coating technology, introduced during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tailored for every environment
What sets Agua apart is their understanding that no two environments are the same.
- Healthcare fabrics are designed for hygienic, high-turnover spaces.
- Hospitality lines balance luxury aesthetics with resistance to wear and spills.
- Workplace collections (like their “@Work” series) provide modern offices with stylish, durable options in both vegan leather and woven finishes.
- Cruise and marine ranges are specifically built to withstand moisture, salt air, and harsh lighting conditions.
This sector-first approach means specifiers, designers, and architects know they’re choosing fabrics built to last—without compromising on appearance.
Sustainability in every stitch
Agua’s green credentials are not an afterthought—they’re embedded in every step of their process.
From solar panels on their manufacturing facilities to electric forklift trucks and ongoing waste reduction initiatives, the brand is on a clear journey toward reducing its environmental impact.
Their flagship eco-collection, VerdEco, is made from 100% recycled yarn and requires no water during production. It’s also fully fire-retardant—without the need for back-coating or added chemicals. While it forgoes waterproof and stain-resistant treatments in favor of environmental integrity, it represents a bold step toward sustainable contract fabric solutions.
A global brand with a local heart
Though based in London, Agua Fabrics has a truly global reach. Their collections are specified in projects all over the world, but their focus remains on quality, customer service, and technical excellence.
Their legacy is built on trust, innovation, and a refusal to stand still. As interior design, sustainability, and health standards evolve, Agua continues to lead from the front—one high-performance, purpose-built fabric at a time.
To explore their collections, request samples, or learn more about their sustainability efforts, visit Agua Fabrics.