Latest India rugs handmade, eco-friendly

Natural fibers such as cotton and coir are chosen by makers for their biodegradable and sustainable properties. Blends are also used to cut costs.

Suppliers of rugs in India are adopting environment-friendly materials and focusing on turning out handmade releases to separate themselves from international rivals.

Most manufacturers are employing natural fibers as these are biodegradable, recyclable and obtained from sustainable sources. Cotton, viscose, coir, jute, hemp and sisal are among the popular options. The materials, however, are more costly than synthetic alternatives, pushing up prices by 10 to 15 percent in the past year. To reduce spending, companies are using blends, which cost less than pure variants.

The majority of "green" inputs are sourced locally. Coir, bamboo and hemp, for instance, come from the state of Kerala. Most wool providers are situated in Punjab while jute and cotton are often procured from Kolkata in West Bengal and Jaipur in Rajasthan, respectively. Only sisal is sourced overseas, with most coming from China. A number of makers also utilize nylon, PP, PET and PU.

Manually crafted releases continue to dominate India's rugs output, although the manufacture of such pieces takes a significantly longer period. Recently, however, machine-loomed versions are being produced in greater quantities.

Traditional floral, avian, animal, kilim and geometric motifs are still popular. Stripes, dots and herringbone designs in natural backgrounds, highlighting eco-friendliness, are likewise prevalent. Abstract themes in vivid hues such as navy blue, purple, maroon, brick red, grayish blue, olive green and earthy brown are also common in new models. Some rugs have a stone-washed, burnt and antique finish, and manually silk-screened patterns.

Chromojet printing is gaining prominence as well because the method imparts high-quality prints at a rapid pace. Many suppliers use azo-free dyes but some adopt synthetic colorants mostly for low-end pieces. Imported pigments are likewise being utilized.

Jacquard, boucle and rope are the prominent weaves. Handtufted releases can be made into diverse styles compared with loomed variants. These, however, are not washable because models do not have backing, which would enable models to withstand repeated laundering.

India-made rugs typically measure 2x3ft. Some suppliers also offer 5x6ft pieces.

Low-end releases utilize 100 percent cotton, coir, PET, and cotton-jute and -chenille combinations. Pieces are handtufted and -woven, and come in millspun, picant loop and natural boucle, six-ply rope and double-braided constructions. Models are available in solid colors. Patterns are printed. Most have latex backing and are washable. Prices are $5 to $6.50.

Apart from the abovementioned materials, midrange versions use pure wool, sisal, nylon and PP. Releases have rope boucle, handspun koil and millspun palm loop structures. Printed designs or solid hues may be employed. The backing is made of nylon or latex. Products go for $6.60 to $10.

High-end models are handtufted pure wool rugs quoted at $10.50 to $70. Pieces feature cotton lining and are not washable. Many have printed details.

Mirzapur and Bhadohi in Uttar Pradesh, Panipat in Haryana and Amritsar in Punjab are the main production hubs for wool rugs. Makers in Kerala and Chennai in Tamil Nadu specialize in coir, jute, hemp and bamboo models. Jaipur is the primary sourcing center for cotton pieces while all types of rugs are manufactured in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. These areas benefit from abundant resources of natural fibers and a strong network of auxiliary industries, including weaving, dyeing and backing.

See a comparison table of area rugs suppliers on GlobalSources.com