Coconut Coir - A versatile natural fiber
Coconut Coir is the fibrous layer outside the coconut shell. Brown coir fibers which are harvested from ripened coconuts are thick, strong and have resistance to abrasion. Therefore they are used to make floor mats, brushes and sacks. They are also used to make twine. Other major applications of treated brown fiber includes packaging, insulation, mattress padding and rubberized coir is used in upholstery padding of automobile seats in Europe.
Coir fiber industry is an important industry in some parts of the developing world. India and Sri Lanka are the biggest coir producers in the world. Most of the white coir and significant percentage of brown coir comes from the coastal region of Kerala in India
Cocopeat - The green growing medium
In recent years a Coir byproduct called Cocopeat has found a growing use in the horiculture industry. Cocopeat also known as Coirpith derived from fibers of coconut husk is an organic and ecofriendly alternative to peat, which is mined from the earth.
The cocopeat makes an excellent plant growing medium because it has excellent water absorption and retention properties. The spongy structure of the cocopeat allows it to absorb almost 8-9 times its dry weight in water. It is highly resistant to bacteria and fungal growth. It is also very stable due to high content of Lignin in the mature brown husks used to make cocopeat.
Cocopeat by itself does not have any nutrients for plant growth. Necessary nutrients can be added and plants can be grown excusively in cocopeat. Cocopeat may also be mixed with sand, compost and fertilizer to make good quality potting soil. Cocopeat is commerically available as briquettes, slabs, grow bags and as compressed coir discs (see pictures below).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Other Coir Products
Coir Moulded Pots
Coir, in addition to being a good growing medium, when rubberised, can also be moulded into biodegradable growing pots of varying shapes.
Coir Mats
Another popular coir product is door and floor mats. These come in various sizes, designs and colors. Coir mats are excellent for high foot traffic areas because the fibers are extraordinarily durable and wear resistant.
Coir Environmental Applications
Coir is also used in products for Bio-engineering applications such Erosion and Sedimentation Control and Wetland restoration. Special erosion control mats can be used to cover river embankments and shorelines to retain soil and also help grow vegetation. Also coir rolls are commonly used to control siltation and sedimentation.
Coir Twine
Other than the matting industry, Coir twine is also used as growing media for oyster and sea-weed cultivation and used in cultivation of hop-wine in the beer industry. Coir twine is an eco-friendly choice because after its useful life it can be converted to compost.
Coir ropes are also used extensively in fishing and shipping trades.
Coir Cushion
Twisted coir fibers are used for upholstery padding in furnitures and Automotive seats. Coir layered with foam is also a popular padding material used in mattresses.