Coir Fiber and its Best Uses

Coir fiber is a natural fiber that is derived from the husks of coconuts. It is being used in a wide range of industries and has many environmental benefits.

Due to its environmental benefits, coir fiber is one of the most common materials in the world. In addition, coconut fibers are reasonably priced, and can be obtained easily from the nature. A coconut husk’s outer covering is used to produce coir fiber. While this fibrous material is not as strong as a lot of other fibers, it contains a lot of natural lignin, making it extremely stable.

Read on to learn more about coir fiber, its manufacturing process and the common uses.

How is Coir Fiber Manufactured?

A number of processes go into producing coir fiber, including harvesting, husking, retting, and defibering.

  • Harvesting and husking – You can pick up mature and fallen coconuts from the tree. In order to produce coconut fibers, the outer layer of the coconut is processed and spun. Coconuts that are ripe are husked immediately, but green coconuts are seasoned by spreading them out on the ground and drying them for a month. A steel-pointed spike is used to cut the coconut in half, separating the fruit from the seeds. It is possible to easily remove the pulp layer. Today, coconuts can be processed at a rate of 2,000 per hour with modern machinery.
  • Retting – During retting, the husks are stored in an environment that stimulates the growth of natural microorganisms. In case of fully mature coconuts, freshwater retting is applied, while in case of green coconut husks, saltwater retting is applied. In recent years, mechanical methods for accelerating retting have been developed. A crushing machine can process mature husks in as little as 7-10 days. 
  • Defibering – Wooden mallets are traditionally used for beating the pulp and separating the fibers from the skin and pith. Motorized machines have been used extensively in recent years to complete this task. During the defibering process, mattress fibers are separated from the ropes and the dirt is washed off. The fibers are then manually combed or tumbled in a perforated drum to complete the process. The fibers are then exposed to the sun to dry.
  • Finishing – Those coconut fibers that will not be processed immediately are bundled and rolled up for storage or transportation. Hydraulic presses are used by mechanized manufacturers to manufacture compact bales. Depending on the intended use, the yarn can be shipped directly to the customer or several yarns can be spun together into a single yarn and shipped together.  Weaving twine into ropes and yarn into nets and mats can now be done with new mechanical technology.

Types of Coir Fiber

Coco fiber can be made from brown or white coconut fibers. The main differences between these two types are the conditions of the husk, the extraction process, the physical properties, and their application.

Usually, brown coir fiber is extracted from mature coconuts. It is a dark-colored substance that is thick and strong. Unlike white fibers, brown fibers are extremely abrasion resistant. As a result of the high levels of lignin they contain, these fibers are difficult to dye. However, the cellulose content of these fibers is lower than that of cotton or flax.

A white coir fiber is made from an immature green coconut. At least ten months of soaking in water are required before the fibers separate. Although white coconut fiber is less strong than brown coconut fiber, it is more flexible. However, a white fiber is softer, thinner, and weaker than a brown one.

Uses of Coir Fiber
Coconut fiber is commonly used in the following areas:

  • Landscaping – It is widely used as a landscaping material. Coconut peat, for instance, looks and feels like ordinary soil, but retains more water, therefore preventing plant roots from drying out. Moreover, coir can repel most insects, making it a natural pest control system. As a result, it is also ideal for covering trees. Coconut fiber is suited to areas that are prone to erosion. It is very effective at encouraging seed germination and enabling vegetation to grow.
  • Ropes and netting – Because of their strength and flexibility, coconut tree fibers are often used to make ropes. Moreover, white coconut fiber has a high salt resistance, making it an ideal medium for making fishing nets and marine ropes.
  • Construction – In concrete, the substitution of coconut fiber for sand is an excellent way to go green. As well as being a renewable raw material, coir-fiber concrete is also thermally conductive, permeable, and has low shrinkage. Consequently, it is excellent for drainage. Though it is not as strong as sand concrete, it is still strong enough for secondary structural use in building. Coconut fiber plywood is also a durable alternative to traditional plywood. Unlike traditional plywood, coir has an increased resistance to high temperatures, and it can resist shrinkage and expansion during sudden temperature changes.
  • Household furniture – Coir fiber is also widely used to make carpets. Shoe dirt can be removed with the help of this natural fiber. Its resistance to rot also makes coconut fiber a good choice for outdoor use. Coconut fiber is also used to manufacture household brushes, including toilet brushes and brooms. It is also possible to weave coir fibers into carpets that can be used both indoors and outdoors. 

Top Indian Exporters of Coir Fiber

Due to the growing demand for coir fiber in domestic and overseas markets, the coir fiber industry has grown rapidly in recent years. Due to its unique characteristics and excellent durability, coir fiber is among the most famous materials.

SBL-SITCO is a leading manufacturer and supplier of coir fiber and export high-quality coir fiber products to countries all over the world. We focus on providing customers with professional services anchored on integrity and reliability. We assure high-quality products, on-time delivery, efficient service and competitive prices to our customers.

Contact our Sales division for more information about our products. We will be happy to assist you.