Coir is obtained from:

Coir is a natural fibre extracted from the thick, fibrous outer husk (mesocarp) of the coconut fruit. It is used to make ropes, mats, carpets, brushes, mattresses and many other products.

How coir is produced:

The coconut husks are separated from the nuts.

Retting: the husks are soaked in water (often in backwaters or lagoons) for several months, so that the fibres soften and separate easily. Mechanical methods are now also used to extract fibre without long retting.

The softened husks are beaten (defibring) to separate the fibres from the pith.

The fibres are cleaned, dried and spun into yarn, which is then woven into products.

Types of coir:

White coir: obtained from immature (green) coconuts, after long retting. It is finer, smoother and lighter in colour, and is used for yarn, ropes and mats.

Brown coir: obtained from mature coconuts. It is thicker, stronger and more resistant to abrasion, and is used for brushes, doormats, mattresses and upholstery.

Properties:

• Coir is strong, durable and resistant to salt water and microbial decay, which makes it useful in marine ropes and fishing nets.
• It is biodegradable and eco-friendly.

Uses:

• Doormats, carpets, ropes, brushes, mattress padding and upholstery.
• Coir pith (coco peat) is used as a soil conditioner and as a growing medium in nurseries and soilless cultivation.

Coir industry in India:

India is the largest producer of coir and coir products in the world, along with Sri Lanka.

Kerala is the traditional home of the coir industry, especially Alappuzha (Alleppey), Kollam and the backwater areas. Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha are also important.

The Coir Board, set up under the Coir Industry Act, 1953, has its headquarters in Kochi, Kerala.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Jute fibres come from the stems of the jute plant and are used for gunny bags.
• ✗Flax fibres are used to make linen.
• ✗Sisal fibres come from the leaves of the agave (sisal) plant and are used for ropes and twine.