In India’s design and architectural ecosystem, materials are often the silent enablers of creativity. One such material brand Karnav is founded on decades of experience in the plywood and veneer industry. It has evolved into a specialist in textured veneers, and supplies to high-value residences, luxury villas, and projects across India and abroad. Karan Kashyap, Partner, Karnav, oversees both system automation within the company and business development across suppliers, dealers, and high-net-worth clients.
The company’s early years were rooted in plywood and flush door manufacturing. Over time, however, the company pivoted towards design innovation with textured veneers. These real wood surfaces are enhanced with fluted, 3D, linen, and geometric finishes, giving architects more options than plain veneers ever offered. “Earlier, the market used to produce boring plain veneers. What we did was invent a technology and start giving different kinds of textures, fluting, 3D, linen, geometric, asymmetrical. That is our core business and our core product,” Kashyap shared. Today, the company offers over 55 proprietary textures.
Sustainability Through Technology
Karnav has also redefined veneer manufacturing with a more sustainable process. Traditionally, solid timber blocks of 6mm thickness were carved using CNC routers, consuming significant time, energy, and raw material. Kashyap explained, “We developed a technology that uses just 0.6mm of timber. So, ten times less tree cutting, ten times faster production, and ten times less energy costs.” The results are striking: production time reduced from five hours to twenty minutes, polishing requirements cut by two-thirds, and costs lowered by 60-70 per cent. “People wanted designs in wood but couldn’t afford them. Now they can, without the detrimental environmental impact,” he noted.
Dealer Network and Market Reach
Karnav has invested heavily in expanding its footprint, participating in over 20 exhibitions in the past four years and building a network of more than 300 dealers across India. Its products are now installed in celebrity residences, political homes, luxury farmhouses, and high-profile projects. Kashyap described the pride of seeing Karnav’s work in unexpected places. “Sometimes I go to a mall or an Emporio and I see furniture pieces, and I can tell my product has been used to make them,” he said. The company operates two distinct verticals: a B2B veneer business, where sheets can be delivered within a week, and turnkey luxury interior contracts, where wardrobes, wall panels, and designer doors are designed, manufactured, and installed. The latter typically requires 60 to 90 days.
The Road Ahead
Despite its strong presence, Kashyap noted that textured veneers have penetrated only about 10 per cent of the Indian market. “Ninety per cent of people are still unaware of the product. This should be used in every house that is made in India, whether mid-income or high-income. The product is beautiful, not very costly, and easy to finish,” he said.
