UK: Great Western Railway is testing the EcoSeat developed by British spring manufacturer Spinks and rail seat specialist Quantum Seating, which uses pocket spring technology more commonly found in mattresses.
The EcoSeat is 100% recyclable, eliminates the need for polyurethane foam and achieves rail safety standards without flame retardant chemicals.
Mattress and furniture spring manufacturer Spinks was awarded £250 000 from the Department for Transport and Innovate UK’s First of a Kind programme to bring its EcoSeat glue-free pocket microcoil technology to the rail market. Following the production of prototypes, GWR and leasing company Angel Trains are now undertaking testing on the routes from Exeter to Exmouth and Paignton.
Speaking to Rail Business UK at the 2025 RIA Rail Innovation Conference, Spinks said the springs used on train seats in the past were much larger than ones that are available now. Springs had been displaced by cheaper foams, but the price has crept up as fire and other standards became stricter meaning that springs are now competitive on price while also offering a longer life, lower environmental impact and full recyclability.
‘We are pleased to see our EcoSeat technology being trialled in a real-world rail environment’, said John Pick, Seating Project Manager at Spinks, when the trials with GWR got underway. ‘The pocket spring system creates a comfortable, fully recyclable seat that’s designed for durability while meeting safety standards.’
GWR said ‘we are always interested in exploring innovative technologies that could enhance passenger experience and sustainability across our network. This trial allows us to assess new seating options in real-world conditions on our Exeter services, and we’ll be monitoring performance and gathering passenger feedback.’
