Petratex (1200 employees in Portugal, Tunisia and Morocco) has set up several innovative projects, including the "Vital Jacket" (smart apparel to monitor heart beat...) and a patented seamless bathing suit called Lazer Racer (LZR) which has won 50 world records.

LZR has been developed during 3 years with Speedo, the NASA and the Australian Institute of Sport, and has been worn by swimmers at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Being said to be the "fastest bathing suit in the world" (decreasing friction in water by 5 to 10%), LZR will later be sold to a larger public. Orders have already come in for 2012. By then, a new innovative product should be launched.

Sources: Jornal de Notícias July 30th 2008, Lusa July 29th 2008