1

Think Green!Coco Coir Products

by Maitet D. PascualSoriano Multi-Purpose Fiber Corp.

Management Association of the Philippinesmonthly forum,

Makati, 17 February 2011

In operation since 1975, Soriano Eco Fiber is engaged in coir stitching and geotextile weaving.

Linked with a network of primary fiber producers in Quezon, Bicol and Eastern Visayas.

Decorticating plant in Sariaya, Quezon; stitching plant in San Pablo, Laguna; machine twining, hand twining and weaving in Malilipot, Albay.

A subsidiary of FSSI

• Networked with other industry players

• Committed to pursuing triple bottomlines

– Economic viability

– Environmental sustainability

– Promoting social equity

• Committed to developing the full potential of the Philippine coir industry

www.fssi.com.ph

With the technical backing ofhighly competent

civil engineers from UP.

www.amhphil.com

... and a horticulture expert in the company's Board of Trustees.

What is waste to most ...

2

... is value to us.

Exocarp

Mesocarp

Endocarp

TestaMeatWater

Input: Coconut Husks

Fiber and dust

Because it is very similar to peat in appearance it is also referred to as Cocopeat (or coir pith, coir fiber pith).

COCONUT HUSK

COIR (thick mesocarp)

Long fibers Waste grade coir

Coir dust (0.2-2.0 mm)

1/3 of husk 2/3 of husk

- Medium & short length fibers

Output:Coco Coir (30%)

and Dust (70%)

Coir Peat

• Resists fungi & rot; mothproof

• Very tough & durable: breaking strength of 25-35 lbs

• Naturally resists damage by salt water; the ONLY FIBER to do so.

• Absorbs water 8x its volume

• Also absorbs odors & gases

• An ideal substrate or growing medium–especially when

combined with effective micro-organisms

Given these qualities,

• Coco Coir and Coco Peat can

–Support livestock raising

–Support horticulture and agriculture

–Effectively be used for geotechnical

engineering

3

In this changing climate

• Coco coir and peat products are gaining acceptance here and abroad, given their natural qualities and versatility.

• They are viable, cost-effective alternatives to mainstream engineering applications.

• They are ideal bedding for animals and growing medium for plants and vegetables.

• They are eco-friendly products

Our Markets• Local

– Bedmakers

– Horticulture biz's

– Hog‐/chicken‐raisers

– Vegetable farmers

– Green builders & architects

– Property developers

– Mining companies

– Infrastructure contractors (incl govt)

• Foreign– Bedmakers in China

– Garden stores

– Farmers in Korea, Taiwan & Japan

– Bioengineering firms

– Green builders & architects

– Infrastructure contractors (incl foreign govts)

– Coir processors in India

In Japan, a biodegradable pouch the size of our nets, containing seeds of grass, is sewn onto our nets, then installed on steep slopes over layers of coco peat.

Along the Subic-Clark-TarlacExpressway (SCTEX), geonets were used to reinforce slopes.

4

Nets still visible

In Korea, geonets, stitched mats and filled coir rolls or biologs/fascines, are used to restore rivers as a cradle of community and civilization.

At the Antipolo Pumping Station, GEONETS were used instead of the usual riprap method. This was cheaperand more environmentally sustainable.

In Southern Luzon, screened cocopeat is used as bedding for hogs and chickens, providing a soft cool surface for the animals while at the same time absorbing the foul smell of animal dung.

5

After a few weeks, the peat mixed with animal waste becomes a highly effective growing medium for the cultivation of vegetables and other crops.

Waste-Value Cycle

The husk, traditionally waste to coconut farmers, is value to coir fiber producers.

For coir producers, fiber is the main product while peat is the waste.

Waste-Value Cycle

Cocopeat is of value to hog and poultry raisers who use it as animal bedding.

After several weeks the cocopeat, now mixed with animal dung, can be prepared for organic vegetable growing.

Waste-Value Cycle

From husk to dust and back to the soil. In the process, enriching it

Cou

rtes

y of

Her

b R

epu

bli

c

Enhanced peat is betterFresh/raw Enhanced

Nitrogen (N), % 0.354 1.670 Phosphorus (P), % 0.067 1.610 Potassium (K), % 2.378 0.890 Calcium (Ca), % 0.144 2.220 Magnesium (Mg), % 0.070 1.200 Sodium (Na), % 0.260 0.020 Iron (Fe), ppm 659.100 10,008.000 Manganese (Mn), ppm 8.100 624.000 Copper (Cu), ppm 5.000 57.380 Zinc (Zn), ppm 9.300 270.000 Organic Carbon, % 15.130 21.460 PH, 1:9 H2O as received 5.900 5.600

To convert ppm to %, move decimal point four places

to the left. Example: 10.5 ppm = 0.00105%

Sources: PCA Laboratory analysis of fresh cocopeat from Soriano Eco Fiber and enhanced cocopeat of Herb Republic

6

Benefits of enhanced peat

While these have yet to be documented and validated, initial tests and accounts of private users show

Shorter growth cycle for such vegetables as organic lettuceSignificantly higher yields for such crops as cassavaHealthy growth and maintained moisture content despite drought in the early part of this year

Healthier plants and higher net revenues to farmersEnhanced peat comparable if not cheaper than inorganic fertilizers on a per kilo costHigher yields & shorter growth cycle translates into higher net earnings for farmers

2 MONTHS

4 MONTHS

Photo and pilot test courtesy of Herb Republic

Herb Republic cassava harvest at four months

Thai cassava

Sustaining the Chain• Our company depends on many small

businesses: husk collectors and suppliers, coir producers, twining households, weaving associations

• Challenge we face is to sustain the chain– By broadening our markets here and abroad, and

developing new products

– By finding ways of strengthening financial resources throughout the chain

THANK YOU!