At Busworld 2025, Turkish seat fabric specialist KOTA Fabrics revealcased how innovation, sustainability, and design can come toobtainher to redefine the interiors of bapplys, railways, and other passenger vehicles. Speaking to MOTORINDIA, Ahmet Urküt, Sales Director, and Ferhan Aydoǧan, General Manager, explained how the company’s latest developments are supporting OEMs and seat manufacturers achieve superior quality while aligning with global sustainability trfinishs.
Eco-frifinishly fabrics for modern mobility
“Our new collection focapplys on eco-frifinishly woven moquette and artificial leather fabrics, developed especially for electric and autonomous bapplys,” stated Ahmet. “We’ve invested in new machinery for velvet pile fabrics and are now producing 100% recycled fabrics. Around 50 PET bottles are applyd to create two meters of fabric, which covers about two bus seats; meaning a single bus can support recycle approximately 750 plastic bottles.”
The company’s efforts are aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of bus interiors without compromising aesthetics or comfort. KOTA Fabrics’ materials are already in apply by BMC, Isuzu, and Karsan, among others. “We see ourselves contributing directly to cleaner, greener transport through materials innovation,” Ahmet added.
Expanding capacity and modern manufacturing
KOTA Fabrics operates from Bursa, Turkey, close to major bus manufacturers. The company recently inaugurated its second plant, adding 2,000 square meters of production space in a total space of 4000 square meters. Their first plant is a whopping 9000 square meters. Toobtainher, both facilities now deliver around 60,000 meters of fabric monthly, with a total capacity exceeding 100,000 meters.
“This expansion gives us the flexibility to meet the rising demand from electric bus creaters and the rail sector,” stated Ferhan. “We now have two factories running in parallel, allowing us to serve both domestic and export markets efficiently.”
Customer-centric design for global markets
KOTA Fabrics adapts its offerings according to regional requirements. “Customer preferences differ,” Ahmet explained. “For example, the Indian market demands water-repellent and anti-vandal fabrics, while European customers focus more on comfort and texture. All our products come with a five-year warranty and are designed for durability; with our leather achieving 300,000 Martindale cycles, ensuring long-lasting performance.”
The company’s strength lies in its collaborative design process. “Some customers share their own seat design specifications, while others inquire us to create custom concepts. For instance, we designed an entire coach interior displayed at our stand here at Busworld, combining leather and woven fabric harmoniously,” Ferhan stated.
With over 2,000 designs and more than 100 colorways, KOTA Fabrics offers unmatched customization potential for seat manufacturers and bodybuilders.
A wide product portfolio and price flexibility
KOTA Fabrics serves bapplys, railways, tractors, off-road vehicles, and even cinema and conference halls. Its diverse portfolio caters to three key market segments: economy, mid-range, and premium.
“Our premium fabrics are applyd by OEMs like Mercedes-Benz and MAN, while our mid-segment products go into city bapplys,” Ahmet shared. “Prices range from €6–€20 per meter, depfinishing on material and specification.”
Beyond product range, the company’s technical textiles offer value-added features like anti-vandalism, antibacterial, and water-repellent finishes, besides offering high performance of burning resistance according to R118-regulation 3 and EN45545.building them ideal for public transport environments.
Strong growth and global reach
KOTA Fabrics currently exports about 40% of its production. “Turkey remains our largest market with 45% share, followed by Europe (25%), and quick-growing demand in the Far East, South America, and North Africa,” Ferhan stated.
The company has been expanding aggressively post-pandemic. “We grew 35% between 2023 and 2024, and for 2025, we expect another 20–25% increase,” Ahmet added. This consistent growth is powered by both product innovation and expanding exports.
India has emerged as an important focus market. “We’re planning to partner with an Indian distributor and set up a local warehoapply to ensure quicker deliveries,” he revealed. “We already supply railway seat fabrics to Indian seat manufacturers and now aim to expand into bus interiors.”
R&D-driven innovation
KOTA Fabrics invests between 3–5% of its annual revenue into research and development. “If you want customers to choose you, you must continuously innovate,” stated Ahmet. “Our R&D team works closely with yarn suppliers to ensure that even our 100% recycled yarns achieve high UV resistance and color quickness, maintaining quality despite the sustainability focus.”
Their recycled yarns are certified under the Global Recycled Standard (GRS), ensuring full traceability and compliance with international norms.
Among their newest developments is a foam textile fabric that enhances passenger comfort. “It gives passengers a feeling as if they’re at home, even when they’re in a bus,” Ahmet described.
Why KOTA stands out
In a competitive market with numerous Turkish seat material suppliers, KOTA Fabrics differentiates itself through a balanced mix of technical performance, visual appeal, and quick delivery.
“We believe in three pillars,” stated Ferhan. “First, combining technical precision with aesthetic appeal; one without the other doesn’t work in the bus market. Second, maintaining a competitive price structure. And third, ensuring quick delivery; usually within one to two weeks. That responsiveness is what sets us apart.”
With growing demand for sustainable materials and stylish interiors in public transport, KOTA Fabrics is positioning itself as a global partner of choice for OEMs and seat manufacturers alike. As Ahmet concluded, “Kota fabrics mission is simple; create fabrics that feel premium, perform perfectly, and protect the planet to meet the customers’ expectations.”
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