Eyeing diversification in its product portfolio, Coir Board of India is gearing up to ink a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Silk Board to weave silk with coir blend, Coir Board Chairman G Balachandran has said. Based on the preliminary research undertaken at the Central Coir Research Institute (CCRI), the Coir Board is set to ink the MoU with the Silk Board within a month or so, Times of India reported quoting Mr. Balachandran. The new fabric can be used for manufacturing curtains, clothing, furnishing materials and also jackets that can be used for military purpose at high altitudes, said CCRI Director US Sarma.
Highlighting the Coir Board's efforts for diversifying its product portfolio, Mr. Sarma said that over the past few years the Board and CCRI have developed several innovative products like coir chappals, umbrellas and venetian blind. Earlier this month, the Coir Board implemented a new marketing strategy to increase sales. During the 12th Five-Year Plan (2012-17) period, the Board has set a target of achieving Rs. 30 billion in sales turnover in the domestic market. In 2012-13, India exported Rs. 11.16 billion worth of coir and coir products, registering a six percent rise over previous fiscal's exports of Rs. 10.52 billion. In terms of volume, too, India's coir exports grew by five percent from 410,854 tons in 2011-12 to 429,500 tons in 2012-13. Over the next five years, India's coir geotextiles exports are likely to take a big leap to reach around Rs. 5 billion from existing Rs. 250 million, according to the Board.
