Copenhagen-based designer Karina Nielsen Rios has developed a line of outdoor upholstery fabrics for Danish brand Kvadrat that are both hardwearing and eco-friendly.

The Patio fabrics are made with three colours of a highly durable, specially-developed Trevira CS yarn, a flame-retardant polyester.

With two colours used in the warp and one in the weft, the fabrics can look unicoloured or more textured depending on the level of contrast between the colours used.

The brand has also introduced an environmentally-focused coating for the yarn that doesn't contain fluorocarbon - a chemical finish that is typically applied to high-performance textiles to make them water, soil and oil-repellent.

Made up of compounds of fluorine and carbon, fluorocarbon finishes produce toxic by-products that persist in the environment, polluting the air and water systems.

The new finish, developed over the course of three years by textile designer Nielsen Rios and Kvadrat, repels liquid and is fast-drying. It also provides resistance against chlorine, sea water and is flame-retardant.

Due to its high-performance properties, the fabric can be used across all outdoor spaces, as well as areas with high-humidity and chlorine such as spas and indoor pools. In addition to furniture, it can also be used to make screens, parasols and umbrellas.

"In addition to its technical features, it also stands out for a soft touch compared to other outdoor fabrics and offers exceptional colour vibrancy," said Kvadrat.

The Patio fabrics are available in natural and neutral tones, as well as bold highlight tones to create a palette that the brand describe as "fresh" and "sporty".

Patio was launched at this week's IMM Cologne, which takes place in the German city from 14 till 20 January. Presented on a stand designed by Danish studio GamFratesi, the Patio fabrics are displayed alongside other new launches from the brand.

These include a Melange fabric called Atlas by Margrethe Odgaard, a chenille fabric called Still designed by Georgina Wright and inspired by the panoramic paintings of Ivon Hitchens.

Slope is a new colour bleed Kelim rug by Hella Jongerius; the Sinuous rug, which explores "colour vibrations", is Simone Post’s first design for Kvadrat; and Scholten & Baijings will debut the Element rug, which comb matte wool with subtly shimmering viscose threads.

Also launched at IMM was a collaboration between WonderGlass and Nendo, called Melt, a collection of 12 pieces of furniture made from glass.