Tiderock Composites Ltd, a subsidiary of Tiderock Companies Inc., has secured FAR 25.853 / CS 25.853 flammability certification for its composite seat back components, with qualification completed in partnership with Acro Aircraft Seating.
The certification applies to the latest generation of seat back assemblies produced at the company’s Coningsby, UK facility, and covers applications on narrowbody aircraft including the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 family.
FAR 25.853, administered by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, and its European equivalent CS 25.853, governed by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, set mandatory fire safety requirements for cabin interior materials. For seat components, these include limits on flame propagation, burn length and resistance to flaming drips, aimed at improving survivability in onboard fire scenarios.
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“This certification is a defining milestone for Tiderock Composites and a testament to the depth of our partnership with Acro Aircraft Seating,” said Will Waldrop, CEO, Tiderock Companies Inc.. “Our seat backs have flown on Boeing and Airbus aircraft for decades — achieving this qualification on our latest components ensures we are positioned to continue serving the aviation industry for decades to come, at the highest standards the market demands.”
The company said the certification supports its efforts to expand within the aircraft interiors supply chain, with its Coningsby facility equipped for hand lay-up and resin transfer moulding (RTM) processes for composite components.
Flammability compliance remains a critical requirement for all cabin interior suppliers, with FAR/CS 25.853 forming the baseline certification for materials used across seating, monuments and cabin linings.
In the seating segment, suppliers are increasingly focused on advanced composites to balance weight reduction, durability and regulatory compliance. Certification milestones such as this are typically required to qualify for supply positions with seat manufacturers and OEM programmes.
The involvement of Acro Aircraft Seating reflects the role of seat integrators in validating and certifying component suppliers as part of broader seat programme approvals for aircraft platforms such as the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 family.
