Coir Board, NID sign up for new products

 Under an MoU signed between these two organisations, NID has already set up a coir design cell (CDC) for product development using coir and other mixed multi fibres.

 CDC would also design and develop new coir yarns and products besides training local craftsmen through workshops and coordinating with private coir companies.

 As part of the project, a workshop on lifestyle products with coir would be held on August 21 and 22 at NID Satellite Centre, Kinfra Export Promotion Park, Kakkanad. The focus would be on coir and coir blend use in lifestyle products.

 According to NID satellite centre consulting coordinator Rajan Iyer, the workshop would increase awareness of coir industry professionals on lifestyle products and help them design, improve and market coir products besides finding new uses.

 Products include mats, rugs, wall hangings, door pieces, bags, hammocks, ceiling and floor furnishing, beds, cushions, blinds, etc.

 NID would organise more workshops for small and medium sized units in the coming months to popularise coir as a substitute for plastic which was not eco-friendly.

 Coir was 100 per cent biodegradable and elegant. Coir bags lasted longer than plastic and polythene bags while coir could be more easily blended with other natural fibres.

 NID would run a design clinic (DC) to examine product related problems and prescribe solutions. NID executive director Darlie Koshy said DCs had the expertise to improve products in terms of quality and appeal.

 This will enable coir products to compete on par with best products using other materials and against imports.

 The coir industry DC was running at Alleppey. Besides design intervention, it focused on the training of artisans by following products from raw material to marketing stage.