#Japan #Tokyo #Sustainable Design #Catifa Carta #Arper

Embracing Sustainability with Arper's Catifa Carta Chair

In July 2025, Arper Japan, led by Masatoshi Shiota, will launch a groundbreaking product in the domestic market: the Catifa Carta chair. This stunning piece of furniture originates from discarded wood, showcasing the brand's commitment to turning waste into valuable resources. As the world stands at a crossroads, shifting from a linear consumption model to a more circular economy, Arper aims to redefine the furniture industry by creating products with a positive environmental impact.

Value Loop: A Shift in Perspective

Arper is dedicated to transforming the traditional consumption loop – where goods are used and disposed of – into a value loop that promotes resource sustainability. With the introduction of Catifa Carta, a new model from the iconic Catifa series first unveiled at the 2024 Milan Salone, the company is taking a significant step towards this vision.

Features of Catifa Carta

The Catifa Carta features a paper shell derived from 29 recycled paper layers molded together without any chemical adhesives, using only 100% bio-derived hemicellulose. After its useful life, the chair can undergo thermal treatment, allowing the shell to convert into biochar, which can enrich the soil. This porous biochar supports the ecosystem by providing a habitat for fungi and microorganisms, thus contributing to forest regeneration.

The chair's shell, measuring 53 cm in seat width, boasts impressive strength, defying expectations of a paper material. Its gentle curvature supports the body comfortably from the hips to the back, ensuring a user-friendly design. Furthermore, both the shell and legs are completely disassemblable, facilitating easy maintenance, reuse, and recycling. The aesthetic appeal of the brown-black hue resulting from the molding process not only adds character but also allows for five different leg options to suit diverse preferences.

Environmental Impact

Using paper shells not only preserves the attributes of trees but also actively absorbs and stores CO₂ – about 1.5 kg for every kilogram of paper shell used. Compared to traditional plastic shells, the Catifa Carta reduces greenhouse gas emissions by an astounding 98%. Thus, utilizing this chair inherently contributes to environmental conservation efforts.

The pricing for Catifa Carta is as follows:

• - Thread leg (black): ¥66,000
• - Four legs: ¥59,400

*Note: Cushions sold separately.

About Arper

Founded in 1989 in Monastier di Treviso, Italy, Arper is a global interior design brand renowned for its minimalistic and stylish aesthetics, prioritizing harmony between people and spaces. The name itself stems from "furniture for (the purpose of furniture)," encapsulating its ethos of redefining design in alignment with evolving societal and environmental contexts.

In 2005, Arper became a pioneer by establishing an environmental department, which has focused on developing eco-friendly products. They were the first Italian furniture brand to receive the environmental declaration for chairs in 2008 and earned the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) certification in 2018. Their furniture can be found in numerous public facilities worldwide, including airports, universities, libraries, and offices, showcasing their commitment to functional and sustainable design.

Contact Us

Arper Japan is currently open for consultations, sample loans, and material provision for domestic projects. For interested parties, feel free to reach out via the following contact page: Contact Us. Please note that Arper products are currently available only to companies and public institutions, and sales to individual customers are not being conducted at this time.

Explore how Arper continues to innovate and contribute to a more sustainable future with furniture that not only serves a purpose but also rejuvenates the environment.