Exclusive interview with Frederik Stevens, Sales Manager at Balta Home, conducted by Behnam Ghasemi, Editor-in-Chief of MENA Covering, during ICFE Expo Istanbul (6–9 January 2026).
During the recently concluded ICFE Expo Istanbul 2026, Balta Home reaffirmed its position as one of Europe’s leading flooring and home textile manufacturers, showcasing its diversified product portfolio, sustainability strategy, and global market vision.
Speaking to MENA Covering, Frederik Stevens, Sales Manager at Balta Home, described the company’s participation in ICFE as a strategic test aimed at evaluating the exhibition’s long-term potential.
“This year was our first time exhibiting in Istanbul. We decided to approach it as a test — without heavy investment — simply to be present, observe the visitor profile, and assess its relevance for the future. The result was very positive. We had strong visitor interest over the show,” Stevens said.
Strong Presence at Heimtextil and Global Exhibitions
Balta Home has a long-standing presence at leading international trade fairs. After years of exhibiting at DOMOTEX, the company successfully expanded its visibility by participating in Heimtextil Frankfurt last year.
“Heimtextil was very successful for us. The response exceeded expectations, which is why we will return this year with a larger booth. It has become a key platform, particularly for European buyers,” Stevens noted.
Extensive Product Portfolio Across Two Manufacturing Hubs
Balta Home currently offers more than 50 different product qualities, manufactured across its facilities in Uşak, Turkey, and Belgium.
- The Belgian facility specializes in tufted carpets, featuring fully washable, tumble-dry-safe products with innovative single-material backing systems.
- The Turkish factory in Uşak focuses on woven carpet qualities, including polypropylene, polyester, and recycled polyester products, ranging from flatweaves to high-pile carpets, across nearly 50 collections.
“Our strength lies in diversity. We serve customers in more than 100 countries, and our collections are designed to meet a wide range of aesthetic, functional, and market requirements,” Stevens explained.
Sustainability as a Core Business Strategy
Sustainability and recyclability are central pillars of Balta Home’s product development strategy.
“All our 100% polypropylene flatweave products are Cradle to Cradle Silver certified. They are single-material products, making them easy to recycle. In addition, we have several collections made entirely from 100% recycled polyester,” Stevens said.
He added that sustainability is no longer optional but increasingly driven by customer demand.
“Our customers actively ask for sustainable products. This is not just a future trend — it is already a present-day requirement.”
Read more: Balta Strengthens Export Leadership from Uşak to Global Markets
Why Production Shifted from Belgium to Turkey
Addressing broader industry changes, Stevens explained why much of European carpet production has shifted from Belgium to countries like Turkey.
“Belgium remains strong in trends, design, and innovation. However, production costs — especially labor and energy — are significantly higher. Turkey offers a more competitive cost structure, while still maintaining high manufacturing quality,” he said.
Middle East and Global Market Outlook
While acknowledging that 2025–2026 remains a challenging period globally, Stevens emphasized that opportunities still exist.
“Market conditions vary significantly by country. While some regions are slow, we still see strong interest in new products. Many buyers are open to innovation, and companies that offer something genuinely new can still succeed.”
Looking Ahead: Competition and Innovation in 2026
Looking toward 2026, Balta Home plans to maintain its competitive edge through rapid innovation cycles.
“We launch new collections twice a year, while many competitors do it only once. This allows us to stay ahead of trends. Often, customers tell us they see something at Balta Home that they haven’t encountered elsewhere yet.”
Stevens concluded by emphasizing the importance of competition:
“Competition keeps the industry alive. It pushes companies to innovate faster, improve quality, and deliver more value.”
With its successful test participation at ICFE Istanbul 2026, strong sustainability credentials, and global market reach, Balta Home continues to position itself at the forefront of the international carpet and flooring industry.
