One of Arper’s most iconic designs, the Catifa 53—first introduced in 2001—marks the beginning of a legacy defined by sleek, modern, and sophisticated aesthetics. As the original piece that shaped Arper’s design identity, the Catifa 53 remains timeless. Its elegant, curved seat and streamlined profile strike a perfect balance of graceful functionality.
With its refined simplicity, the Catifa collection continues to evolve, adapting seamlessly to the demands of contemporary living. And, since 2024, Catifa has entered a new phase of transformation. From the groundbreaking Catifa Carta to the recently unveiled Catifa (RE) 46 and Catifa (RE) 53, which launched at this year’s Salone del Mobile, the collection is thriving in a way that is both beautiful and sustainable.
Originally designed by Lievore Altherr Molina in 2004, Arper’s Catifa 46 is a design icon, now reimagined as Catifa (RE) 46—a sustainable update launched in April 2025. This new version features a shell made from 100% recycled plastic, combining post-consumer and post-industrial waste, and introduces a cushion crafted from fully recyclable, breathable Breathair® material, designed to enhance comfort while preserving the chair’s iconic exposed backrest. Available in eight nature-inspired colors and finished with an organic texture, Catifa (RE) 46 reflects Arper’s commitment to sustainability without compromising design. It comes with a choice of three bases—wooden legs, steel legs (outdoor suitable), or a sled base—with optional armrests for added comfort, and is also offered as a stool in two heights, maintaining versatility across a range of environments.
In 2025, the Catifa 53 has evolved into Catifa (RE) 53, a more sustainable version of the classic chair that reflects Arper’s thoughtful focus on material innovation. The upholstered shell is crafted from 100% recycled plastic sourced from post-consumer and post-industrial waste, while fully disassemblable covers enhance both longevity and circularity. This update brings a softer, more relaxed aesthetic without compromising the timeless elegance or comfort that define the collection—setting a new benchmark for sustainable design.
A reinterpretation of Arper’s original iconic design, the Catifa 53, the Catifa Carta represents a new era of sustainable design practices. Its seat is crafted from PaperShell’s revolutionary, name-sake material, which ingeniously transforms discarded offcuts of deceased trees into durable craft paper, harnessing the carbon dioxide the tree retained throughout its life, contributing to a more environmentally conscious production cycle. What truly sets the Catifa Carta apart is its end-of-life sustainability; when its lifecycle concludes, the chair can be returned to Arper to be turned into biochar, effectively locking in all the carbon dioxide the tree absorbed, rendering the Catifa Carta carbon-negative.