The Complete Guide To Coir

Are you considering using a coir doormat in your home? Do you wish to try Coco peat for
gardening? Continue reading to understand why coir products are a great choice for healthy
living.

Coconut coir was once considered a waste product. However, today, it is a popular growing medium
recognized for its many benefits. This article introduces you to the countless uses of coir
and the various coir products that are available to enhance your living.

What is Coir?

The meaning of coir can be traced to the Malayalam word ‘kayaru’ . It means rope and the term
was popular in 16th century Kerala. It is the fibrous material found in the outer husk of
the coconut. Further, it is widely used for making ropes, brushes, mats, and many more domestic and
industrial purposes. This eco-friendly product comes in two varieties – white and brown
coir. While white coir is popular in upholstery padding and horticulture, brown coir is famous
for its use in manufacturing brushes, ropes, and fishing nets.

The History

Where did coir originate?

We can find references to coir in ancient literature including Valmiki
Ramayana and Kalidasa’s Raghuvamasa
. Further, during the 11th century, many Arab writers referred to coir
in their records. Coconut cultivation became organized in Kerala with the arrival of the Portuguese
and coir gained popularity. The first coir manufacturing factory to produce coir from coconut
fiber was set up in 1959 in Alleppey.

How is Coir Manufactured?

Coconut palms grow in abundance in the tropical regions of the world. However, the majority of
the Coir is from India and Sri Lanka. The manufacturing process has 4 stages: Harvesting
and husking, Retting, Defibering, and Finishing.

During Harvesting, the climbers collect the coconuts and husk the ripe coconuts immediately.
Firstly, the unripe coconuts are seasoned for a month before husking. After that comes retting. In this process, we decompose the husks to separate the coir fiber. The next step is to ret it using salt water, fresh
water, or mechanical techniques. Now comes the defibering stage where either manual laborers or
machines beat the retted pulp to separate the fiber from the husk. In the final finishing
stage, we collect the fiber and tie it into compact bales.
Today, the coir industry has grown to become the largest cottage industry in Kerala. Similarly, the trend of
using coir for farming, domestic purposes, and in industries is growing because of the many
advantages it offers.
However, before you begin using coco coir, let us examine the pros and cons of coir fiber.

Pros of Using Coir

Natural coconut coir, an organic growing medium, is one of the most versatile alternatives to
the soil. Moreover, it is eco-friendly and offers numerous benefits making it ideal for both home and office
use. Here are the top coconut fiber uses you should be aware of.

  • It consists of strong cellulose fibers with high lignin content and holds water much better than stone wool. Further, the blocks also retain more water than rock wool. 
  • Also, the fibers decompose slowly over time due to their high woody lignin content.
  • Further, the product absorbs water easily and does not require any wetting agent.
  • The stable, open substrate structure allows better airflow and promotes healthier roots. 
  • Moreoever, it is eco-friendly and reusable.
  • Coir pith has insect repellent properties and deters fungus, mosquitoes, and algae growth.
  • When mixed with peat, it allows water to penetrate and eliminates the need to use a wetting agent.

Cons of Using Coir

The top disadvantages are listed below.
 Salt levels can be extremely high in coir, especially if it was made from inferior
materials. Moreover, it has an electrical conductivity of 0.3 to 2.9 microns per
centimeter and high concentrations of salt must be leached out before use.

  • Coir has chloride levels that go up to 400 to 700 ppm. 
  • The cation-exchange capacity is low when you compare to sphagnum peat moss.
  • Further, the clumpy form makes it difficult to use in automated mixing equipment.

SITCO’s Wide Range of High-Quality Coir Products

Coir products are gaining a strong foothold in agriculture and industries. Also, coconut husk uses are
countless and are the prime reason for the popularity of Coir. SITCO offers 100% organic coir
products that meet the diverse needs of consumers across the globe. Additionally, our products are natural,
multi-purpose, biodegradable, and durable. Further, we offer premier-quality coir-based products with
zero negative environmental effects. Below are our versatile coconut coir products range:

Coco Peats

Coco Peat is a byproduct of extracting fiber from coconut husks. The coconut coir fiber is dried
in sun and then processed to make an excellent growing medium for plants that is 100% natural.
Coco Peat is usually available as Coco Peat briquettes, Coco Peat blocks, and Coco Peat tablets.
So, what is the use of Coco Peat in gardening? The majority of Coco Peat benefits are due to its high
concentration of Lauric acid. Moreover, coir growing medium is best for plants to thrive as it is capable
of delivering more nutrients to the roots.

Many farmers prefer growing plants in coconut fiber and as result, coco coir in hydroponics is an emerging trend in places where there is a shortage of outdoor space. Also, it is widely used in horticulture, floriculture, and agriculture and forms an excellent substitute for peat mosses. Further, Coco Peat has a high water retention capacity and promotes
the growth of microbes.
We manufacture and supply the best quality Coco Peat for a variety of purposes
including seed germination, horticulture, lawn construction, landscaping, creating golf courses,
greenhouses, and animal bedding. Further, our multi-purpose Coco Peat products are available in
various forms such as potting mix, Coco Peat blocks, and Coco Peat bricks.


Coco Husk Chips

Coco Husk Chips come from coconut husk. The coconut husks are first to cut into uniform sizes. These chips
contain peat and fibers and have high water holding capacity and can accumulate water up to 9
times their weight. Further, it is also commonly used as a mulching agent and is available in unpressed
and pressed forms. Subsequently, Coco Husk Chips last longer and have a high cation exchange capacity. This
natural product also helps to reduce fertilizer use. Moreover, it is perfect for seed germination and
promotes the healthy growth of plants.
We produce and supply superior quality Coco Husk Chips to farmers worldwide. Additionally, our products
are affordable and widely used in garden beds, potting mixes, mushroom farming. Further, it is also popular as an
organic medium for cultivation.

Bristle Fiber

Coir bristles are produced from retted coconuts through defibering. Bristle fiber, the longest
and strongest of all the coir fibers. As a result, we use it for a variety of purposes such as insulation,
packaging, rope manufacturing, weaving, and mechanical handlooms. Further, it is also used in the
manufacturing of Coir Twine and special filters. Also, these fibers have many superior qualities and
deliver benefits such as strength, durability, and flexibility. Apart from this, these fibers are also
resistant to high temperatures. Moreover, Coir Bristle fibers bond together if you spray
rubber latex on them. Also, different kinds of brushes are manufactured using this material.
Our company guarantees the delivery of the highest quality fibers, which are low in moisture
and provide superior durability.  Moreover, we offer coconut fiber with and without latex that serves
multiple purposes.

Coir Fiber

Coir fiber is extracted from the coconut husk and is used in agriculture, industries, and domestic
purposes. Subsequently, the fiber is widely used in bedding and soil erosion control. In addition, it is used for
filling cushions and mattresses, manufacturing ropes, and for making coir logs. Further, it is
resistant to high temperatures, prevents heat transfer, and has great durability and strength. Similarly, it
also offers excellent resistance to saltwater and rot and thereby preventing decay.
We supply high-quality coir fibers which are suitable for manufacturing mats, brushes,
upholstery, carpets, and stuffings. Also, the length of fibers is tailored according to the needs of the
customer. In addition to offering white fiber, SITCO offers brown fibers and buffering fibers.

Coco Disc Mulch Mat

A coir disc mulch mat is an eco-friendly and biodegradable product made from the finest latex
and coir fiber. Coconut fiber mulch can retain and absorb up to five times their own weight in
water. Further, it suppresses weeds and maintains soil moisture. For large plantations, this
can be an ideal method of driving away, controlling, and even eradicating weeds. 

In addition to being an herbicide, it is a source of manual weeding. Moreover, the biodegradable material breaks
down over time to form humus, which further aids in the growth of plants. Further, it slows
the evaporation of water from the pots and keeps them moist. 
We offer coconut fiber mulch mats that are perfect for plantations. Many farmers use the
discs as mulch mats to reduce weeds. Further, our mulch mats come from fine coconut fibers and
natural latex, making them an ideal surface for trees, flowers, and plants to grow. It is ideal to
maintain soil temperature, sustain humidity, and allow smooth passage of air.

Grow Bags

A grow bag is an enclosed container that helps you to grow plants indoors or in a small space. In
cold seasons, these vegetable grow bags are a perfect solution for growing vegetables.  Moreover, you can
use grow bags in your home or office to grow plants or to decorate.  Additionally, the bag makes great
nursery bags as well. Grow bags ensure optimum nutrition, weed protection, maintains
the temperature, and promote plant growth.
We offer Coco Peat grow bags to support your farming requirements, especially if you face
outdoor space shortages. With our grow bags, you can grow plants anywhere and at the same
time provide a fertile environment. 

Coco Peat Coin Disc – or Jiffy Peat

The Coco Peat Coin Disc is a natural product made from coco peat, which helps seeds
grow faster. Hence, you can easily grow plants inside your home and in your garden with the help of
jiffy peat pots. It is made from 100% organic, natural coco peat that has been washed, dried,
and graded according to fiber content to ensure it is eco-friendly. Further, these jiffy peat pots find
applications in vertical farming, hydroponic farming, and indoor cultivation. Additionally, its high water
retention capacity ensures healthy plant growth. Our Coco Peat Coin Discs come from the
finest quality raw materials and come in various sizes to meet your unique requirements.

Coco Seedling Cups / Coir Cups

Coco Seedling cups made of coconut are a natural product that has wide applications in
agriculture.  Additionally, these are better and environmentally friendly alternatives to plastic cups. This
container grows plants easily. Further, it is possible to plant it without removing the cup
by cutting out the outer layer of the cup and avoiding causing any damage to the roots. Also, these
cups are eco-friendly and bio-degradable and have a wide variety of applications in
horticulture, indoor gardening, and nurseries. SITCO produces a wide array of high-quality coir
cups. We manufacture our coir cups using advanced technology and the finest raw materials.

Coco Basket Liners

Planting with Coco Basket Liners is a great way to ensure a healthy plant
environment.  Moreover, plants in the basket grow faster and healthier as a result of their organic
properties. In addition to absorbing water, it is lightweight, facilitating indoor gardening.
Further, the material has a high absorption capacity and water retention. As a result, planters

and hanging baskets are commonly lined with these liners. We offer an array of coco
basket liners suitable for indoor and outdoor use. 

Coco Hanging Basket

Coco hanging basket is an amazing product that can assist your indoor gardening efforts. It is
manufactured with the finest quality coco fibers and has excellent water retention capacity. Moreover, it is
a bio-degradable product that is popularly used in trailing pansies and garden decoration.  The
coco hanging basket we offer comes from the finest coco fibers and is available in sizes that
suit the customer’s needs.

Ropes

Coir-ropes are strong, durable, biodegradable, and have high tensile strength.  These ropes
are widely used in industries as well as in households for securing items. Moreover, it is also used for lifting
and dragging heavy objects as well as for climbing or hanging from tall structures.  We offer
both twisted and braided coconut ropes. Further, our ropes are friction-resistant, rigid, and durable.

Geo Textiles

Permeable geotextiles like Coir Geotextiles keep soil stable by allowing water to
penetrate.  Further, these geotextiles are eco-friendly and can strengthen, protect, filter, separate, and
drain rail embankments, hillslopes, and roads. The properties of geotextiles include strength,
durability, and high usability. In addition to their natural resistance to mold and rot, these
geotextiles accelerate the growth of vegetation on the land surface. Moreover, it supports soil, holds soil
in place, and when it disintegrates, it enriches the soil as it disintegrates into the soil. We provide
geotextiles as a natural solution for preventing soil erosion or soil degradation. 

Mats

The coir mats separate dust particles from shoes easily and are highly durable. Additionally,
these are eco-friendly and a great choice to maintain a clean and elegant interior. As a result, you can use
these mats indoors or outdoors. Moreover, with our Coco Mats, you get a natural look for your interiors and
the best of both worlds – traditional skills and modern technology.  We offer a variety of eye-
catching designs on our mats to complement your interiors and impart a stylish look.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of fabric is coir?

Coir fiber is a natural fiber made of cellulose and extracted from coconut husk. It is present
between the coconut’s outer coat and its hard inner shell.

What are the advantages of coir?

CocoPeat is a 100% organic renewable resource with high water retention. It promotes strong
roots and healthy plant growth. Further, it is odorless, affordable, and has a uniform
composition.

Is coir natural or synthetic?

Fiber made out of coco coir is natural, thickest, and most resilient commercial fiber. 

Is coconut coir the same as coconut fiber?

Coconut coir is manufactured by processing coconut fiber found in the outer shell of coconuts.

Which is the cheapest natural fiber?

Jute or golden fiber is the cheapest natural fiber.

What is called coir?

Coir is a short fiber extracted from coconut husk and is the most resistant commercial natural
fiber.