Coir geotextiles to be used in iron ore mines in Odisha

Thiruvanthampuram, June 29 (KNN) The Kerala State Coir Corporation (KSCC) will now supply coir geotextiles to mines in Odisha, according to report in The Hindu.

KSCC recently received an order for geotextiles from Geetarani Mohanty Raikela Iron Ore Mines, an official said.

The iron Ore mine has placed the initial order worth Rs 10 lakh for initiating a pilot project. Industries and Coir Minister P. Rajeeve received the first order for geotextiles from the Odisha firm’s managing partner Jayakrishnan at a function held at Kanichukulangara, near Cherthala.

The coir corporation is making all-out efforts to increase the sale of coir geotextiles in the domestic market. This highly durable natural fabric is said to be resistant to rots, moulds and moisture and free from microbial attack.

The State is pinning its hopes, in part, on coir geotextiles to revive the crisis-ridden coir sector. Demand from mines is likely to increase the market potential for the product. Rising demand for geotextiles will boost coir production.

Coirfed, the apex federation of primary coir cooperatives in the State in a meeting on Tuesday urged Centre to clear dues of Rs 53 crore under the Market Development Assistance scheme.

The meeting decided to create more job opportunities in the sector. 

Representatives of cooperatives said that a surge in the price of coir fibre was hurting the industry.  (KNN Bureau)