The Mint writes about new market opportunities for Coir. From the Wikipedia: Coir (Etymological origin: from Tamil and Malayalam – kayar – cord) is a coarse fibre extracted from the fibrous outer shell of a coconut.
Environmental degradation has had a surprising side effect. It has given a new lease of life to Kerala’s age-old coir industry and fuelled the rise in demand for two of its products—coir geotextiles and coir pith. Meshes or nets woven from coir are known as geotextiles.
A.C. Jose, chairman of the government trade promotion body Coir Board, says with efforts to check soil erosion and prevent landslides gaining ground globally, coir geotextiles have found new takers from the mining industry. These are laid on slopes to check soil erosion.
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Coir pith, made from retted or cured coconut husk after the fibres are separated, is being widely used as manure. The husk pulp is decomposed after immersion in water for 6-10 months. The fibre in them is then separated and the residue, pith, is dried and used as manure. Coir pith is the largest product being exported from India, says Jose.
Every day we see a new market opportunity being presented from the greening and environmental issues facing us.
Interesting timing. I would have forgotten this glimpse in Sydney traffic if your post hadn’t reminded me: Yesterday I was intrigued by the well used white van with Coir and Sisal printed on its side. Exciting stuff from a long under-marketed product.