What Protect Textiles does

Protela S.A. is a Colombian integrated textile manufacturer founded in 1950, headquartered in Bogotá, producing high-quality knitted fabrics (circular, Raschel, and Tricot knit, plus warp and weft weaving) for the apparel industry. Its vertically integrated operations span design, weaving, dyeing, printing, and finishing, with a portfolio spanning nine end-use categories — intimate apparel, shapewear/control, swimwear, activewear, sleepwear, streetwear, home textiles, industrial/automotive, and laces/trims — supported by an in-house color laboratory, proprietary finishing technologies (4 Way Stretch, Bacterial Control, Chlorine Shield, Fast Dry, Perfect Shape, Solar Guard, microcapsule treatments), and strategic yarn alliances with The LYCRA Company and HYOSUNG (Creora).

The company monetizes primarily through B2B direct sales to garment manufacturers, confectionists, distributors, and large national/international retail accounts, supplemented by a 10-store retail chain (La Tienda de las Telas), a full-package garment manufacturing subsidiary (Proíntimo S.A.S., serving US private-label clients), and export sales to the USA (50% of exports), Peru, Venezuela, and Argentina. Pricing is quote-based and negotiated; the firm manages more than 900 active clients, 219 suppliers, and over 1,000 employees. As of 2025, Protela is operating under a formal Colombian empresarial reorganization process (Law 2437 of 2024) filed with the Superintendencia de Sociedades, while continuing to invest in AI-driven process optimization (ProteIA), an advanced monitoring center (C.I.M.A), and a circular-fashion collaboration platform (Ecollab).

Name

Protect Textiles

Legal name

Protela S.A.

Website

https://protela.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Protela is a 75-year-old Colombian integrated textile manufacturer producing knitted fabrics for intimate apparel, shapewear, swimwear, activewear, and streetwear, serving more than 900 B2B clients, garment manufacturers, and international retailers through direct sales, a 10-store retail chain, and its Proíntimo subsidiary.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Technical Textiles Manufacturing

NAICS

Knit Fabric Mills (31324), Apparel Knitting Mills (3151), Textile and Fabric Finishing and Fabric Coating Mills (3133)

SIC

Knitting Mills (2250), Textile Mill Products (2200)

akta.pro primary industry

Technical Fabric Mills (Performance/Protective/Medical Substrates) (IMAOABAH)

Keywords

• Knitted textile manufacturing
• Apparel fabric production
• Technical textile finishing
• Circular knit fabrics
• Synthetic fabric manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Bogotá

HQ country

Colombia

HQ region

Latin America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. B2B Textile Manufacturing: Manufactures and sells textiles to garment manufacturers, confectionists, and distributors. Products include fabrics for intimate apparel, shapewear, swimwear, sportswear, sleepwear, streetwear, home textiles, and industrial/automotive applications.
2. Finished Garment Production (Proíntimo): Subsidiary Proíntimo offers complete package manufacturing including design, development, fabrication, quality control, and distribution. Serves global markets including the US with private label production.
3. Retail Sales (La Tienda de las Telas): Direct retail through 10 physical stores nationwide in Colombia, selling fabrics to individual customers and small businesses.
4. International Exports: Export sales to international markets including USA (50% of exports), Peru, Venezuela, Argentina, and other Latin American countries. Closed 2023 with $3.6 million in exports.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Protela manufactures high-quality knitted textiles for the apparel industry using circular, Raschel, and Tricot knit, warp, and weft weaving technologies. The company's integrated manufacturing process covers design creation, weaving, dyeing, printing, and finishing, producing fabrics for intimate apparel, swimwear, activewear, shapewear, sleepwear, streetwear, home textiles, and industrial/automotive applications. The company also offers textile design services, color laboratory, printing services, and operates subsidiaries for full-package garment manufacturing (Proíntimo) and retail (La Tienda de las Telas).

Product overview

Protela is a Colombian textile manufacturer founded in 1950, producing high-quality fabrics in circular, Raschel, and Tricot knit, warp, and weft weaving. Its integrated manufacturing process covers design creation, weaving, dyeing, printing, and finishing. The company operates as a unified platform offering both core textile manufacturing and specialized services including a Color Laboratory, printing (estampación), and a range of advanced textile technologies (4 Way Stretch, Bacterial Control, Chlorine Shield, Fast Dry, Mineral Boost, Natural Wear, Odor Resist, Perfect Shape, Solar Guard, Spacer, Stain Guard). The product portfolio is organized across nine textile categories (intimate wear, swimwear, activewear, control/shapewear, sleepwear, outerwear/streetwear, home, industry/automotive, and lace/trims), multiple fabric technology lines (Bio Fabric, Eco Fabric, Eco Process, Chlorine Proof), and microcapsule ingredients (Aloe Vera, CBD, Hyaluronic Acid, Sea Algae, Botanical Extracts, Vitamin E, Skin Therapy, Trimshape, Spa & Care). The portfolio includes branded collections (SinergIA, Summer Glow, Alma del Trópico, Trayectos Urbanos, BONANZA, INNER SELF, MEGAVERSE, OPEN MIND, PASAJEROS) and the collaborative circular fashion platform Ecollab. Supporting services include Prolab (biannual innovation sessions), C.I.M.A (real-time monitoring center), and ProteIA (AI initiative). Subsidiaries include Proíntimo (full-package garment manufacturing) and La Tienda de las Telas (10-store retail network). Protela holds strategic technology partnerships with The LYCRA Company (LYCRA Adaptiv, Beauty, Sport, FitSense Print Technology) and Hyosung (Creora).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Proíntimo: Subsidiary specialized in complete package garment manufacturing for global markets including the US
• La Tienda de las Telas
• Ecollab
• ProteIA
• Prolab
• Tejiendo Conciencia
• Textileando

Products and services

• Telas para Ropa Íntima (Intimate Apparel Textiles) Textile fabrics designed for intimate apparel, covering undergarments and everyday comfort wear with LYCRA technologies and microcapsule benefits.
• Telas para Ropa de Baño (Swimwear Textiles) Textile fabrics engineered for swimwear, designed to withstand chlorine, saltwater, and sun exposure while maintaining appearance and properties, including Chlorine Shield and Fast Dry technologies.
• Telas para Deportivo (Activewear/Sports Textiles) High-performance textile fabrics for sports and activewear, offering moisture management, breathability, durability, and 4 Way Stretch / LYCRA Sport compression technologies for athletic applications.
• Telas de Control (Shapewear/Control Garment Textiles) Compression and body-shaping textile fabrics designed for shapewear and control garments, providing support and silhouette control using LYCRA Beauty and Perfect Shape technologies.
• Telas para Descanso (Sleepwear Textiles) Comfort-focused textile fabrics designed for sleepwear and loungewear with Natural Wear technologies emphasizing softness and temperature regulation.
• Telas para Exterior (Outerwear/Streetwear Textiles) Textile fabrics designed for outerwear and streetwear, combining functionality, comfort, and style for urban and casual wear with T400 technology and functional finishes.
• Telas para Hogar (Home Textiles) Textile fabrics for home furnishing and decorative applications.
• Telas para Industria (Industrial/Automotive Textiles) Technical textile fabrics designed for industrial and automotive upholstery applications requiring durability and technical performance.
• Encajes y Blondas (Laces and Trims) Lace and trim fabrics complementing fabric collections for intimate apparel, shapewear, and decorative fashion applications.
• SinergIA Collection Branded urban streetwear collection fusing fashion, technology, and urban style for active city living, including the Trayectos Urbanos capsule powered by T400 technology and Hyaluronic Acid and CBD microcapsule features.
• Summer Glow Collection Swimwear fabric capsule capturing the essence of summer through texture, color, shine, and design, featuring sophisticated satin and luminous finishes, high-definition printing, and resistance to chlorine and saltwater exposure.
• Alma del Trópico Collection Fashion capsule collection launched under the Ecollab platform in collaboration with designer Marco M. Emiliani (Anthias brand), made from second-opportunity textiles, celebrating motherhood through feminine silhouettes using light, soft, and elegant fabrics.
• Trayectos Urbanos Capsule Urban streetwear capsule powered by T400 fiber technology, designed for the urban, casual, and professional segments, featuring versatility, comfort, and functionality for active city life.
• Diseño Textil (Textile Design Services) In-house textile design creation services covering trend research, creative design, and custom textile development for brand identity translation into unique fabrics.
• Estampación (Printing Services) Fabric printing services including high-definition printing, pattern design, and finishing treatments for textile applications.
• Laboratorio de Color (Color Laboratory) Specialized color development laboratory creating custom colors using spectrophotometry and advanced technology for precise brand color matching and long-term stability.
• Proíntimo (Full-Package Garment Manufacturing) Specialized manufacturing subsidiary offering full-package garment production including design, development, fabrication, quality control, and distribution, serving global markets and brands requiring high quality, sustainability, and speed. Enables Private Label brand development.
• La Tienda de las Telas (Retail Chain) Retail distribution channel operating 10 physical stores nationwide in Colombia for direct sale of Protela's textile products to confectionists, designers, individual customers, and small businesses.
• Ecollab by Protela Collaborative creative platform connecting emerging designers, independent brands, and purpose-driven projects with the textile industry. Offers capsule collections from second-opportunity textiles, workshops, mentorship, and technical support. First collaboration produced Alma del Trópico with designer Marco M. Emiliani (Anthias).

Quantifiable outcome

• 20% revenue growth in 2021 exceeding projected 15% increase
• +9 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature22 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• HYOSUNG (Creora)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2025Creora, HYOSUNG's specialty elastane brand, serves as supplier of yarn without origin (free-of-origin yarn) for Protela's textile production. Featured in the 'Tejiendo el Mañana' runway at Colombiatex 2025 showcasing advanced textile technologies.
• The LYCRA CompanycoreTechnology or Integration · 1 November 2024Strategic alliance spanning more than 20 years. The LYCRA Company provides advanced fiber technologies (LYCRA Adaptiv, LYCRA Beauty, LYCRA Sport, LYCRA FitSense) that Protela integrates into fabrics for shapewear, activewear, and intimate apparel. Joint annual events showcase new technologies and strengthen industry relationships.
• Millonarios F.C.flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2024Sports partnership including provision of performance fabrics for team uniforms and hosting Millonarios F.C. Academy at Protela's Álamos facility in Bogotá. Reinauguration of football field as training center for youth development programs.
• Proíntimo S.A.S.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubsidiary company acquired in 2003 (formerly Antonella S.A.) offering complete package garment manufacturing services. Specializes in design, development, fabrication, quality control, and distribution for global brands including US market. Uses Protela's innovative textiles.
• La Tienda de las TelascoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRetail chain established in 2003 with 10 physical stores nationwide in Colombia. Sells Protela fabrics directly to consumers and small businesses, providing accessible distribution for the brand's products.
• Ecollab (Emerging Designers Platform)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative platform launched by Protela connecting emerging designers, independent brands, and purpose-driven projects. Enables co-creation of sustainable fashion collections using second-opportunity textiles. Includes mentorship, workshops, and visibility support for designers.
• Anthias (Marco M. Emiliani)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesigner brand collaborating on Alma del Trópico collection under Ecollab platform. Collection honors motherhood through feminine silhouettes using repurposed Protela textiles, demonstrating circular fashion possibilities.
• Las Chicas que PintanminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLive art collaboration at Colombiatex 2024 Eco Lab and Design Lab stand, adding creative touch to Protela's sustainable textile showcase.
• Alejandro CrockerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreative recycling designer who transformed Protela's second-opportunity textiles (blondas, spacers, laces) into unique sustainable outfits as part of the 'Tejiendo Conciencia' campaign.
• Dirección de Impuestos y Aduanas Nacionales (DIAN)coreOthersColombian tax and customs authority. Protela participates in the Centro Consultivo Regional Grupo as an Authorized Economic Operator, contributing to strategies promoting collaboration between private sector and public entities for efficient and secure international trade.

Scale indicators18 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Schoeller Textil AG: Swiss specialty manufacturer of technical and performance fabrics with strong sustainability credentials (recycled inputs, bluesign). Comparable to Protela's technical fabric lines (LYCRA-based, performance finishes) and its focus on certified, eco-positioned textiles for premium apparel.

Direct peers

• Nien Hsing Textile Co., Ltd. Taiwan-based vertically integrated textile manufacturer producing knit and woven fabrics plus finished garments for jeanswear, intimate apparel, and activewear. Comparable vertical integration and product mix to Protela.
• Texhong Textile Group: Hong Kong-listed vertically integrated textile group producing yarn-dyed and piece-dyed knit fabrics for global apparel brands. Closely comparable product portfolio, customer base, and finishing capabilities to Protela.
• Shenzhou International Group: One of the world's largest vertically integrated knitwear and jersey fabric manufacturers, listed in Hong Kong, producing for Nike, Adidas, Uniqlo and others. Comparable to Protela in integrated knit fabric-plus-garment model serving global apparel brands.
• Eclat Textile Co., Ltd. Taiwan-listed knit fabric manufacturer producing performance and lifestyle fabrics for global activewear and intimate apparel brands (Nike, Lululemon, etc.). Direct peer to Protela in circular/warp-knit fabric production for shapewear, swimwear, and sportswear segments.
• Pacific Textiles Holdings: Hong Kong-listed, one of the world's largest knit fabric mills producing dyed and printed fabrics for apparel brands including Uniqlo and H&M. Directly comparable core business to Protela's knit fabric manufacturing across intimate apparel, sportswear, and outerwear.
• Fabricato S.A. Major Colombian textile manufacturer producing knit and woven fabrics for apparel, home, and industrial markets, listed on the Colombian stock exchange. The most direct LATAM peer to Protela, sharing geography, customer base, and core product categories.

Others

• Hyosung TNC: Korean textile and chemical company whose Creora spandex brand is a core elastane supplier (free-of-origin yarn) to Protela. Adjacent rather than directly competitive, but highly relevant as a strategic input partner enabling Protela's LYCRA- and Creora-based performance fabric lines.

Broad incumbents

• Toray Industries, Inc. Large Japanese textile conglomerate producing advanced technical fabrics (including performance, protective, and synthetic substrates) for apparel, automotive, and industrial markets globally. Comparable to Protela in the technical/performance fabric segment but operating at much greater scale across many industries.

Regional players

• Tavex (Têxtil Avatar Calçados) / Santanense: Brazilian textile manufacturer producing denim, knit, and woven fabrics for the domestic apparel market. Comparable to Protela as a regional LATAM integrated textile producer, though primarily focused on the Brazilian rather than Andean market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/protelatextiles

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Protect Textiles