From Coconut Husks to Coco Peat: The Manufacturing Process in Sri Lanka

Coco peat, also known as coco pith, is a lightweight, spongy, corky, and non-fibrous material responsible for holding the coconut husk and coir fibre together. Coco peat is a natural, 100% organic and biodegradable substance released during the coconut fibre extraction process.

The use of coco peat in industries like animal husbandry or horticulture was discovered in the early 1990s. Moreover, it played a major role in establishing an international market for a by-product from Sri Lanka’s coconut fibre industry.

In this latest blog of Green Peat Coco, one of the biggest coco peat manufacturers in Sri Lanka, we are going to elaborate on how coconut husks are turned into coco peat.

How Is Coco Peat Manufactured?

Nowadays, coco peat is manufactured in six steps which improve its quality, making it easy to pack, transport, and store for future use. Coco peat is used in horticulture, industrial settings, factories, and animal husbandry.

Here’s the six-step process coco peat manufacturers in Sri Lanka use every day.

Coconut Husk Processing

Coconut fibre mills in Sri Lanka process coconut husks to extract coir fibre. During this process, the coco peat or coir pith is released as a by-product. Coconut peat is a spongy material that holds together the coconut fibre within the husk. Likewise, it is the raw material for several coco peat-based products.

Washing

Considering the requirement of the plant/buyer, manufacturers wash coir pith with fresh water to lower its electrical conductivity. It is the measure of salt content to ensure that the plant roots absorb the water efficiently.

Drying

The next step is to dry wet coco peat or coir pith to reduce its moisture content according to the globally estimated value for achieving the required compaction.

Sorting

Once you dry coir pith, the task is to sort it according to its moisture level and electrical conductivity.

Sifting & Sieving

After sorting, coco peat manufacturers in Sri Lanka sift and sieve it to minimise the fine dust particles. They also extract the right-sized grains according to the requirement and industry specifications.

Compaction

The last step includes compacting the coco peat mixture in the hydraulic presses to match the required size. Compaction is necessary to make coco peat easy to pack, store, and transport.

Uses and Advantages of Coco Peat

Coco peat is biodegradable, environment-friendly, and can withstand fungal and microbial activities. You can also reuse coco peat for five years.

Moreover, coco peat has several characteristics which is why several industries find it beneficial. It can tolerate pH variations and has a high cation exchange capacity.

Coco peat can absorb water, high moisture, and other liquids because of its spongy structure. It also retains water-soluble nutrients, providing plants with a reserve of nutrients. The porous structure improves soil aeration and increases soil buffering capacity.

Conclusion

As a natural, organic, and biodegradable material, coco peat offers numerous benefits, including enhanced soil aeration, water retention, and nutrient buffering. If you are looking for coco peat manufacturers in Sri Lanka, Green Peat Coco can help you with that. We have two decades of experience in manufacturing coco peat and compromising on quality is a big no for us.

Contact us today and play your part in contributing to global environmental efforts and support innovative and eco-friendly agricultural processes.