Coir industry is one of the major industries in the state of Kerala, India, providing employment to around 4 lakh people, mostly women. The industry is concentrated in regions like Alappuzha and produces items like coir mats, fiber, and geo textiles which are exported. Exports saw record growth in 2006-07, reaching Rs. 605.17 crores. Major importers include the US, UK, Germany, and others in Europe. Coir fiber is obtained from coconut husks and is used to make products like doormats, mattresses, ropes due to its durable and water-resistant properties. India and Sri Lanka produce around 90% of the world's coir and are exploring

1. Coir & Coir Products
Coir industry is one of the major traditional industries in the State and second only to agriculture
in terms of employment. It provides employment to around 4 lakh persons, of which 84% are
women. With 10.05 lakh hectares under coconut cultivation, this accounts for 45% of the net
cropped area in the State.
The Coir industry in the State is mainly concentrated in the regions of Alappuzha, Kayamkulam,
Chirayinkeezhu, Kollam, North Parur, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Kannur, Ponnani and Vaikom.
Handloom mats, Tufted mats, Power loom mat, Coir fibre, Coir pith, Rubberized coir and Coir
geo textiles, Handloom matting and Coir yarn are the major items of export.
Export of Coir and Coir products from India during the period 2006-07 recorded an all time high
with impressive increase in both quantity and value. In value terms, the coir exports stood at
Rs.605.17 crores attaining 19% growth in value by exporting 1.69 lakh ton of Coir Products. The
increase recorded in quantity was 32728 ton and in value it is Rs.96.72 crores.
The number of countries importing coir and coir products from India increased to 97 from 91 last
year. U.S.A, U.K, Germany, Netherlands, Italy and Belgium are the major markets for coir
products. Among these, United States continues to be the single largest market accounting for
37% of the total export and European countries together imported more than 41%. U.S.A stands
first with regard to import of major share of handloom mats, tufted mats, coir geo textiles and
power loom mat. The biggest market for coir yarn and coir pith is Netherlands and for coir
handloom marketing UK stands first.
Introduction
Environment concerns and biodegradability have boosted
the demand for coir products. Coir is a commercial grade
processed coconut husk that is used for the manufacture of
a wide range of products.
Bygone is the era when coir was linked with ropes to tie
cattle or stiffen the clothesline or use as the humble foot
mats, with the ubiquitous `WELCOME' sign. Coir today
has attained class. Today it is most wanted to furnish rooms
and offices with trendy look. Coir carpets decorate floors
and walls all owing to its sophistication and ethnic chic.
Definition
Coir is stiff coarse fiber that has been obtained from the
outer husk of the coconut. The fibers range from sturdy
strands suitable for brush bristles to filaments that can be
spun into coarse, durable yarn. Coir has been traditionally
used in the making of ropes and mats.
Coir is a flexible natural yarn that is hauled out from

2. mesocarp tissue, or husk of the coconut fruit. Generally coir
is of rich yellow in color once it has been cleaned after the
removal of the coconut husk; and hence it is often called "
The Golden Fibre".
Coir is the rubbery husk of the coconut shell. Being tough and naturally defiant to
seawater, the coir guards the fruit sufficiently to endure months of floating on ocean
currents to be washed up on a sandy shore where it may bud and mature into a tree,
condition it has adequate fresh water, since all the extra nutrients it requires have been
passed along with the seed. This uniqueness makes the thread fairly functional in floor and
outdoor mats, aquarium filters, cordage and rope, and garden mulch.
The physical and chemical propeties of coir fibre are given below.
 Physical Properties of Coir Fibre
o Ultimate length - 0.6 mm
o Diameter/width - 16 micron
o Length - 6 to 8 inches
o Density - 1.4 g/cc
o Tenacity - 10 g/ tex
o Breaking Elongation - 30%
o Moisture regain at 65% RH - 10.5%
o Swelling in water - 5% in diameter
 Chemical Properties (Composition) of Coir Fibre
o Water solubles - 5.25%
o Pectin & related compounds - 3.30%
o Hemi-Cellulose - 0.25%
o Cellulose - 43.44%
o Lignin - 45.84%
o Ash - 2.22%.
Etymological Background
The word 'coir' has been derived from the Malayalam word 'kayar' or 'kayaru', which
means the traditional entwined rope.
Uses and Applications
Coir is used in brushes, doormats, mattresses and sacking. A small amount is also made
into twine. Pads of curled brown coir fibre, made by needle-felting (a machine technique
that mats the fibres together) are shaped and cut to fill mattresses and for use in erosion
control on river banks and hillsides. A major proportion of coir pads are sprayed with
rubber latex which bonds the fibres together (rubberized coir) to be used as upholstery
padding for the automobile industry. The material is also used for insulation and
packaging. The major use of coir is in rope manufacture. Mats of woven coir fibre are
made from the finer grades of bristle and white fibre using hand or mechanical looms. Coir
is recommended as substitute for milled peat moss because it is free of bacteria and fungal
spores.

3. Some Coir Products
Traditional uses for the resilient and durable coir fiber include rope and twine, brooms and
brushes, doormats, rugs, mattresses and other upholstery, often in the form of rubberized
coir pads.
 Coir Bhoovastra - Coir Bhoovastra is regarded as the complete geo textile to
prevent soil erosion and promote vegetation cover. Naturally resistant to rot,
moulds, and moisture, and needing no chemical treatment, coir Bhoovastra is hard
and strong, and can not only protect the soil from erosion but can even be used as a
protection against sea erosion, dispensing with the unsightly rocks that line sea
shores and affording better protection against the onslaught of the raging sea in the
monsoons. It is resistant to saline water and has longevity in high coastal regions.
 Mulch Door Mat - A traditional coir door mat beautifies the entrance to one's home
or office and help one to keep the floors clean. It facilitate to keep the dirt, grime
and moisture from coming indoor.
 Mattress - This popular, natural fibre filled mattress is carefully made from coconut
husk fibres which are bound together with natural latex. The coir pad is layered
between foam and polyester wadding. It offers comfort & resilience & is available
in any size or shape.
 Coir Blanket - Coir fibre stitched with PP or Jute between two netting either PP or
Jute or a combination. Used in control of soil erosion.
Characteristic/Features of Coir Products
 Moth-proof; resistant to fungi and rot
 Provides excellent insulation against temperature and sound
 Not easily combustible
 Flame-retardant
 Unaffected by moisture and dampness
 Tough and durable
 Resilient; springs back to shape even after constant use
 Totally static free
 Easy to clean.
Trade in Coir Products
Currently, the worldwide yearly manufacture of coir fiber is about 350,000 metric tons
(MT). At present India and Sri Lanka jointly account for about 90% of international coir
fiber production. Other main coconut growing countries, include Philippines, Thailand and
Vietnam.
In the 1980s and 90s, international exports of coir fiber was cut down by approximately
half, as Western customers moved to artificial foam and fibers. Since 1990, speedily rising
domestic demand in India doubled promoting solely the Indian coir industry. As a final
point, since 2001, a increasing Chinese demand for coir, a growing market for coir-based
erosion control products, and the extension of coir pith as a peat moss alternate in

4. horticulture has advanced global production and prices.
Traditionally, Sri Lanka has been the world’s largest exporter of various fiber grades,
whereas India has largely exported value added products – yarn, mats, and rugs. Global
trade volume for coir fiber, value added products – yarn, mats, rugs – and coir pith now
stands at about $140 million per year with India and Sri Lanka respectively accounting for
about $70 and $60 million of that amount.
Coir Board in joint marketing strategy with
Sri Lanka
September 24, 2010 (India)
To develop a joint marketing strategy of collective bargaining in the international market of coir
and coir products, the Coir Board in India, is seeking support from the Sri Lankan government.
Sri Lanka and India, together share 80 percent of world’s overall coir production.
This strategy was suggested to Sri Lanka when the Coir Board chairman, Mr. VS
Vijayaraghavan was called on by an official delegation led by Sri Lankan Minister of Sports,
Youth Affairs, Rural Industries and Rural Development, Udalamatta Gamage.
Issues such as technology transfer and sale of Sri Lankan coir fibre to India as well as production
and marketing of value-added coir products in India for global market were discussed during the
meeting.
The estimated coir fibre production of India is 515,500 tons per year and exports products such
as doormats, mattings and carpets. While, Sri Lanka’s production stands at 113,300 tons, it
exports products such as coir yarn, fibre and coir pith.
The delegates of Sri Lanka also paid a visit to Coir Board’s Central Coir Research Institute at
Kalavoor, near Alappuzha.
Fibre2fashion News Desk - India