LAFRANCE, S.C. The "greening" of the motorcoach industry, which has largely has focused on reduced-emissions engines, cleaner-burning fuel and higher energy efficiency, has a new "eco-friendly" attribute recycled seating fabric.

LaFrance Industries, which calls itself the only U.S. producer of plush fabrics for bus and motorcoach seats and interiors, has announced development of the Ritz Repreve fabric collection.

According to Joe Brinkmeyer, sales executive for LaFrance, the Ritz Repreve is the sole seating fabric that is both made from recycled materials and specifically designed for motorcoach, shuttle bus, and transit bus seat applications.

"LaFrance accepts the obligation of bringing to the market a fabric program which offers responsive service, outstanding performance and sensitivity to the environment," said LaFrance President Judson Boehmer.

LaFrances yarn supplier, UNIFI Inc. of Greensboro, N.C., worked with Ken Archer, product development manager at LaFrance, and Danny Grant, a vice president of LaFrance, to develop a fabric collection that is produced with 100 percent recycled materials within an energy efficient jacquard weaving system.

LaFrance says both Repreve yarns and fabrics have been independently certified by a leading auditor for environmental content and practices to verify the claim of being 100 percent recycled.

According to Grant, the Repreve fabric is lighter, stronger and more durable than similar types of transportation fabrics and is produced on the companys high efficiency looms.

Trans-Bridge Lines of Bethlehem, Pa., is the first motorcoach operator to use the Repreve fabric. It had the Amaya seats in two new MCI D4505 coaches upholstered using the recycled material.

"Our customers notice the seats and the material," said Tom JeBran of Trans-Bridge. "People are talking about them."