EMADEIRA_88.qxp_Layout 1 29/01/22 23:38 Página 24
Love lit the flame A
troubled period of life awoke in Joana Alaíde and Ismael Figueira the desire to create the innovative PRANA Candles project, which consists in the manufacturing of handmade scented candles, free of chemicals. The idea came up in September 2021, at a time when the couple was going through a challenging time due to an oncological problem, made worse by layoff motivated by the Covid-19 pandemic. A time that could have been demoralizing instead lit the flame for a passion shared by the couple: candles. Most, as they explain, are composed of "paraffin, a component derived from petroleum with serious consequences for health, since during its burning they release carcinogenic substances". Unhappy with this situation, they decided to create a healthy and sustainable alternative.
After exhaustive research, they decided to invest "in raw materials and start testing." In October 2021, with the support of friends and family, a project for natural scented candles, free of phthalates, lead and other carcinogenic chemicals was born. "The wax is soy wax, 100% vegetable and of high quality, as are the wicks made of natural and biodegradable materials (cotton or reused wood). We try our best to avoid waste and use of plastic, so we give suggestions on how to give a second life to the container and everything delivered to them, even the possibility to refill instead of buying a new candle," they explain. The idea has been an absolute hit. After the candles went on sale in the online marketplace, the stock sold out in just 30 minutes. "We then decided to invest in larger www.essential-madeira.com 24
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m período de vida atribulado despertou em Joana Alaíde e Ismael Figueira a vontade de criarem o projeto inovador PRANA Candles, que consiste no fabrico de velas aromáticas artesanais e livres de químicos. A ideia surgiu em setembro de 2021, numa altura em que o casal estava a atravessar uma altura desafiante, devido a um problema oncológico, a que se somou o layoff originado pela pandemia de Covid-19. Uma fase que poderia ser desmotivante acendeu a chama de uma paixão comum ao casal: as velas. A maioria delas, conforme explicam, são compostas de “parafina, um componente derivado do petróleo com consequências graves para a saúde, uma vez que durante a sua queima, libertam substâncias cancerígenas”. Não conformados com esta situação decidiram criar uma alternativa saudável e
