History of Coir: From Ancient Fiber to Modern Eco-Friendly Material

Coir is a natural fibre extracted from the husk of the coconut (the fibrous outer shell). It is one of the oldest materials used by humans for making ropes, mats, brushes, and mattresses — and its history is deeply connected to the coconut-growing regions of the world, especially South and Southeast Asia.

Ancient Origins

• Early Use:
  The use of coir dates back more than 2,000 years. Archaeological evidence suggests that ancient Indian and Sri Lankan civilizations were among the first to extract and use coir fibre for making ropes, fishing nets, and boat rigging.

• Literary Mentions:
  Classical Sanskrit texts and old Tamil literature mention the use of coconut fibre in shipbuilding and domestic applications.

• Maritime Importance:
  Coir’s resistance to saltwater made it valuable for maritime cultures; ropes and nets made of coir were essential for fishing and sailing.

Colonial and Trade Period (15th–19th centuries)

• European Awareness:
  When Arab traders and later Portuguese explorers reached South India and Sri Lanka in the 11th–15th centuries, they encountered coir ropes used on ships. The Portuguese word “coir” itself comes from the Malayalam word “kayar”, meaning rope.

• Export Growth:
  During the Dutch and British colonial periods, coir became a significant export commodity from India (especially Kerala) and Sri Lanka.

  • Coir ropes, mats, and brushes were exported to Europe.

  • The first coir industry units were set up in the mid-19th century in Alleppey (Alappuzha), Kerala, which became known as the “Venice of the East” for its network of canals and coir factories.

Industrial Development (19th–20th centuries)

• Mechanization:
  In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, coir production began to mechanize. Hand-spinning was replaced by machines for defibering and spinning yarn.

• Product Diversification:
  Coir found wider uses — in mats, rugs, brushes, mattresses, and later, in rubberized coir for upholstery and bedding.

• Sri Lanka and India as Leaders:
  Both countries became the world’s main producers and exporters of coir and coir-based products.

Modern Era (20th century–Present)

• Global Expansion:
  Coir industries spread to other coconut-growing countries like the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, and some parts of Africa.

• Eco-Friendly Renaissance:
  With the rise of environmental awareness, coir gained popularity as a sustainable alternative to synthetic materials.

• New Uses:
  Modern innovations include:

  • Coir geotextiles for soil erosion control and slope stabilization.

  • Coir pith (coco peat) as a growing medium in horticulture and hydroponics.

  • Coir composites in automotive and construction industries.

Today

India remains the largest producer and exporter of coir and coir products, followed by Sri Lanka. The Coir Board of India, established in 1953, plays a key role in research, development, and promotion of coir globally.

Summary Timeline