Updated:
Kordsa Teknik Tekstil A.S.
Kordsa was founded in 1973 in Izmit, Kocaeli, as a joint venture between Sabancı Holding and the German company Enka, specializing in tire cord fabric...
Kordsa Teknik Tekstil A.S.
Kordsa was founded in 1973 in Izmit, Kocaeli, as a joint venture between Sabancı Holding and the German company Enka, specializing in tire cord fabric production. The company went public on Borsa Istanbul in 1990 and is majority-owned by Sabancı Holding, one of Turkey’s largest industrial conglomerates. Over five decades, Kordsa expanded its product portfolio beyond automotive reinforcement to include industrial yarns, construction strengthening systems, and composite materials for aerospace. As a technical textiles manufacturer, Kordsa operates through three segments: tire reinforcement, construction reinforcement, and composite technologies. The company’s product line includes nylon 6.6 and polyester yarns, dipped fabrics, and single-end cords for tire and belt manufacturers. It holds a market share of roughly 10% in the global tire cord market. Kordsa supplies major tire producers including Bridgestone, Michelin, and Goodyear. Its construction division markets FRP materials under the brand name SikaWrap, following a distribution partnership with Sika AG. The composite arm develops carbon-fiber-reinforced polymers for aircraft interiors and automotive components, with clients such as Turkish Aerospace Industries. Kordsa employs approximately 4,500 people across seven manufacturing plants on three continents. The company reported revenue of TRY 18.5 billion (approx. $800 million) in fiscal 2023, with net income of TRY 900 million (public record). Its R&D center in Kocaeli, established in 2008, holds over 100 patents. In 2022, Kordsa opened a new production line for cord fabric in its Thailand facility to serve Asian tire manufacturers (per company filings, 2022). The firm has a market capitalization of around TRY 12 billion as of late 2025. Kordsa functions as a publicly traded industrial manufacturer with a controlling strategic shareholder, Sabancı Holding, which provides capital access and operational synergies with its other portfolio companies. As a listed firm, Kordsa maintains governance transparency through quarterly earnings releases and investor relations. The company’s differentiation lies in its vertically integrated production — synthesizing raw nylon yarn, treating fabrics, and delivering finished cords — enabling cost control and quality consistency that private label competitors find difficult to match.
General information
Firm type
other
Year founded
1973
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
Middle East
Country
Turkey
City
Kocaeli
Corporate office
Kocaeli, Turkey
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who controls Kordsa Teknik Tekstil A.S.?
Kordsa is majority-owned by Sabancı Holding, a Turkish industrial conglomerate with interests in banking, energy, and manufacturing. Sabancı Holding holds approximately 70% of shares (public record). The remaining shares trade publicly on Borsa Istanbul under the ticker KORDS.
What are the primary products of Kordsa?
Kordsa manufactures tire cord fabric (nylon 6.6, polyester), industrial yarns, and dipped fabrics used in tire production. The company also produces composite materials for aerospace and automotive sectors and construction reinforcement systems such as fiber-reinforced polymer fabrics for structural strengthening.
Which major tire companies does Kordsa supply?
Kordsa lists Bridgestone, Michelin, and Goodyear among its largest customers. The firm also supplies Continental, Pirelli, and other global tire manufacturers (per the company’s filings).
Is Kordsa involved in defense or aerospace?
Yes. Through its composite technologies division, Kordsa supplies carbon-fiber-reinforced materials to Turkish Aerospace Industries and other aerospace clients. The company holds AS9100D aerospace quality certification and supplies components for aircraft interiors and structural parts.
Does Kordsa have a research and development arm?
Kordsa operates the Ar-Ge Merkezi R&D center in Kocaeli, established in 2008 and recognized by the Turkish Ministry of Industry and Technology. It holds over 100 patents and conducts research in polymer chemistry, textile engineering, and composite material science.
What is the geographic footprint of Kordsa’s production?
Kordsa operates production plants in Turkey (Kocaeli), Indonesia (Subang), the United States (Chattanooga, Tennessee and others), Brazil (São Paulo), and Thailand (Bang Sao Thong). This gives the firm direct access to tire manufacturing hubs in Europe, Asia, South America, and North America.
How does Kordsa relate to Sabancı Holding’s other portfolio companies?
Kordsa is one of several industrial holdings under Sabancı Holding, alongside companies like Teknosa (retail) and Enerjisa (energy). The conglomerate provides Kordsa with access to capital, international business networks, and a shared corporate governance framework. However, Kordsa operates as a standalone publicly traded entity with its own board and management.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
Need institutional-grade insight on investors?
Altss delivers:
Prefer a guided tour?
We’ll walk you through: