Coco Peat

Coco peat is the binding material that comes from the fibre portion of the husk and is also known as Coir pith or Coir dust is a by-product of extracting coir fiber from the husk of a coconut. The coir dust is washed, heat treated, screened and graded before being processed into various Coco peat products for horticultural/agricultural applications and as industrial absorbent. The compressed coco peat is converted into fluffy coco peat by adding water.

One kilogram of compressed coco peat will expand to 15 liters of moist coco peat. The Coco peat by itself does not have any nutrients for plant growth. Necessary nutrients will have to be added according to the plant that is to be grown exclusively in coco peat. Coco peat is also mixed with sand, compost and fertilizer to make good quality potting soil. In horticulture, coco peat is recommended as substitute for peat because it is free from bacteria and fungal spores and is produced without any environmental damage caused by peat mining.

Being a good absorbent, dry coco peat can be used as an oil absorbent on slippery floors. Coco peat is also used as bedding in animal farms, poultry farms and pet houses to absorb animal waste so as to keep the farm clean and dry.