Coconut Fiber

Coconut fiber is a sustainable natural resource that has transitioned from being an environmental problem to becoming a valuable opportunity for various industries. Annually, millions of tons of waste from coconut plantations are generated, of which only about 15% is utilized, while the rest is burned. In Brazil, for example, the consumption of green coconut leaves a significant amount of waste, equivalent to 85% of the gross weight of the coconut. This waste contributes to approximately 70% of the trash on beaches. However, this environmental challenge can be transformed into an opportunity to reduce pollution and generate additional income for farmers by selling the waste to create new products instead of burning it. Coconut fiber is one of the most durable natural fibers available, extracted from the outer shell of the coconut. It is a coarse and relatively short fiber, measuring up to 35 cm, and is harvested after 45 days, producing 10 kilos of fiber for every 1000 coconuts. There are two types of coconut fiber: the brown, which is more common and is extracted from mature coconuts, and the white, which is finer and obtained from green coconuts after soaking for up to 10 months.