(a) whether the Coir Board has introduced innovative products like coir geo textiles and coir
ply in the North Eastern Region;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the market potential for such products; and
(c) the demand for these products in the international markets?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
(SHRI DINSHA PATEL)
(a) & (b) Yes, Sir. The Coir Board has introduced coir geo textiles, coir composites,
coir pith, etc. as innovative products and has been making efforts to popularize these products
in different regions of the country including North-Eastern Region through seminars, field
demonstrations and other interventions. The Board has taken up collaborative research project
for multiple use of coir ply viz. moulded furniture, door shutters, panels etc. with RV-TIFAC
Composites Design Centre, Bangalore and National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad.In addition,
a three years project on developing coir based eco-friendly products was initiated in
collaboration with North East Institute of Science & Technology (NEIST), Jorhat, Assam.
A new project has been initiated in collaboration with NEIST, Jorhat to develop ceramic
like products out of the coir composites jointly with Central Glass & Ceramic Research
Institute, Kolkata.
(c) There is a considerable demand for coir geotextiles in international markets.
It is estimated that there is a potential for use of 2500 million sq. m. of geotextiles
all over the world for various applications including soil erosion control.The Coir Board
participates from time to time in international fairs/exhibitions and exhibits, through its
stalls, the coir composite products developed in the country.