To assist the global focus on finding practical ecofriendly, biodegradable solutions for all industry sectors, business solutions company e.com institute holdings has launched a new company, the Coir Institute. Established in partnership with the Coir Board of India, the coir institute will introduce a range of proven, quality coir products to South Africa for use in the transportation, construction, mining, landscaping and environmental protection sectors, the company says.

Coir is a natural fibre made from a renewable resource, the husk of a coconut. Coir pith, husk chips and ropes are used in agriculture, while modern technologies are used to create geotextiles for erosion control and soil stabilisation, and consumer products such as pots, mats and blinds. Coir ply, a composite board, is also being accepted as an alternative to plywood, hardboard and medium-density wood fibreboards.

"Coir products are used around the world in the industrial, agricultural and consumer segments. However, South Africans are mostly only familiar with the coir products created for consumers. We believe there is a large market for coir ply and geotextile products, which is where we will initially focus our efforts," says Coir Institute MD David Hoff. The Coir Institute will undertake an extensive education drive to increase awareness of coir's benefits, concentrating on delivering ecofriendly solutions to Southern Africa's challenges.

"Creating a sustainable future for Southern Africa requires a new approach, one that welcomes and encourages the use of natural products that enhance rather than damage the environment in the long term," says Hoff. "With our education drive, we hope to eradicate any scepticism regarding these products," he says.

Coir products are tough, reliable and versatile, the coir institute says. "Coir geotextiles, which include nets of varying densities, coir logs, coir fibre beds and coir bags, play an integral part in bioengineering, geotechnical, civil engineering works. They serve as slope stabilisation agents prior to revegetation, or can be applied for soil engineering, reinforcing, erosion control, water filtration in road drains and land reclamations," says Hoff.

Some bioengineering applications for coir geotextiles include preservation of wetland environments, shoreline stabilisation, roof greening, landscaping and the development and maintenance of golf courses, as well as mine site reclamations. For geotechnical and civil engineering projects, coir geotextiles can be used in stormwater channels, road subbases, concrete column curing and for ultraviolet protection, the company says.

Coir ply has achieved wide acceptance, the company adds. Coir ply is a composite board that comprises coir and jute impregnated with phenolic resin and limited pretreated plantation timber veneers. The process of interlayering is completed on a special process line that gives the product high compaction strengths.

It is well accepted as an alternative to medium-density wood fibreboards and doors, and has, over the past ten years, consolidated its position as an alternative to tropical timber products. "Coir ply has been tested and has achieved a positive response.

Key differentiators are that the product is ecofriendly and is half the price of traditional products. It is ideal for home and office interiors where it can be used in the manufacture of cupboards, wardrobes, kitchen cabinets, cots, study units, wall panelling, false ceilings, partitions, display panels and roofing, and is even being used in the construction of houses. It would be suitable for South Africa's low-cost housing markets, or for local manufacturers of wooden products for interiors," concludes Hoff.