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European design-rug firms add 'robotufting' alongside handmade production: cc-tapis (Milan) and Van Besouw (Netherlands)

Research finding · not yet checked at the source

Made by: cc-tapis; Van Besouw
Date: 2022 onwards
Place: Milan; Goirle (Netherlands)
Held by: cc-tapis
Themes: Companies & modern tufting, Global diffusion of tufting

View at the source Cited in chapter 12, note 35

Cite this source

“European design-rug firms add 'robotufting' alongside handmade production: cc-tapis (Milan) and Van Besouw (Netherlands).” Research note. cc-tapis.com/made-in-milan.

Research notes

cc-tapis says it opened a new Milan headquarters in 2022 with a prototyping centre. There its 'automated robotufting technology' handles many yarns, shapes and tufting directions, and it is used for one-off pieces for exhibitions, installations, museums and fashion shows. Since 2024 it has used recyclable Econyl yarn. The company says most of its collections are still handmade in its ateliers in Nepal and India, and only smaller runs, including robotufting, are made in Italy. Van Besouw (founded 1839, otherwise knitting and weaving) says its Studio now uses 'new robot tufting technology' for more distinctive structures and precise colour. Its brochure lists robot-tufted rugs in 100% New Zealand worsted wool up to 380 × 880 cm; no start date is given. Pattern: robots are used for one-off and design work, while volume handmade production stays in South Asia. All claims are the companies' own. Sources: https://cc-tapis.com/made-in-milan · https://cc-tapis.com/company · https://www.besouw.nl/en/collection/studio/ · https://www.besouw.nl/files/Downloads/brochure-van-besouw-studio.pdf Research note (Oct 2026): from search results; pages not opened.