“The different coir types and their characteristics have made coir the most versatile natural fiber to combat erosion and to restore waters and wetlands. Thus, coir seems to be the miracle fiber of this century to save the earth, its waters and wetlands” – Land andWater Magazine

The use of natural fibers for erosion and sedimentation control dates back to the beginning of this century. The main problems in the early natural fiber textiles (example jute mats) were low tensile strength, high elongation and low durability. These drawbacks restricted their use to only less severe erosion problems. An alternate natural fiber that has drawn the attention of the erosion and sedimentation control industry is coir, the coconut fiber.

One of the most effective and yet natural soil erosion prevention techniques is the use of coir geotextiles (coir netting) fabrics. CoirGreen geotextiles have no synthetic material but are instead made out of organic fiber coir, which is extracted from the husk of a coconut. Coir is strong, durable, waterproof and one of the few natural fibers that is salt water resistant.

The lighter varieties of coir woven geotextiles are used for immediate soil erosion and ordinary soil conditions while the heavier coir geotextiles are used for embankments, slopes or vegetation. CoirGreen geotextiles protect the soil until the vegetation permanently covers its mesh.  It gives the plants adequate room to grow and decomposes naturally into humus which will enrich and nourish the soil. Lasting between two to five years the coir fiber, compared to other natural fibers such as jute, has several unique features. CoirGreen geotextiles have the ability to retain water three times more than its actual weight preventing the need to frequently water the plants. However, at the same time with its adequate space within the mesh it drains the excess water easily preventing water logging. With an easy installation method the CoirGreen geotextiles need no chemical treatment as it lets in the right amount of air and light for a deeper rooted plant. It can also endure animal and human movements that would generally lead to more environmental decay.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) states,

“Recognition of coir for sustainable vegetation and erosion control arises from the fact that it is an abundant, renewable natural resource with an extremely low decomposition rate and high strength compared to other natural fibers. Coir is woven into thick textiles which are applied like blankets on the ground in erosion prone areas. Geotextiles made from coir are durable, absorb water, resist sunlight, facilitate seed germination, and are 100% biodegradable. These blankets have high strength retention and a slow rate of degradation meaning they last for several years in field applications”.

Studies conducted have proven that coir geotextiles are effective, inexpensive and environmentally friendly. In one study conducted in 1998 on coir geo textiles, Schuerholz found out that coir retained 20% of its strength a year later  and 90% humidity whereas jute biodegraded fully after eight weeks.  In another study, conducted in Kerala, India, with a farmer community in 2005, scientists found out that coir combined with local grass  prevents soil erosion.

CoirGreen geotextiles have varying densities depending on their application, but as a whole they serve as slope stabilization agents prior to re-vegetation. CoirGreen geotextiles promote new vegetation by absorbing water and preventing topsoil from drying out. They absorb solar radiation just like natural soil, and unlike geosynthetic materials, they provide good soil support for up to three years, allowing natural vegetation to become established. The greater the geotextile density, the steeper the embankments it can be utilized on. Applications have included ski slopes and bottom reinforcing material in water courses.