Coir fibre is produced in the region surrounded by the principle towns of Colombo, Putlam and Kurunegala, also known as the coconut triangle and in south west coastal belt. Coir fibre felt in to two main categories, white fibre and brown fibre.

1)  White fibre

White coir fibre is extracted from green coconut husks retted in brackish water for six to nine months. Mechanical extraction of white fibre has been recently introduced in sri lanka. White fibre is spun in to yarn exported in this form or as finished products such as carpets, matting, brush mats, rugs, fancy wall hangings etc..

2)  Brown fibre

Brown fibre is extracted from the matured husks of the coconut. They are retted for a period of normally six weeks or six to ten days if pre – crushed. The fibre is extracted using the traditional ‘Sri Lankan Drum’ in which the long Bristal Fibre is separated from the short fibre.

The short and softer fibre separated are called mattress fibre.

Specification : Coir fibre possess an inherent moisture content which correlates to its natural properties, particularly the flexibility of  fibre stands. The draft specifications for mattress fibre indicates a moisture content of 19% unless otherwise agreed upon between buyer and seller.

Packing  : In 150 Kg pressed bales.

Uses : Rubberised mattresses, pads, upholstery, insulation, packing material etc.

The stiff and long strands of fibre are termed bristle fibre or brush fibre. The basic grade of bristle fibre is known as 1 Tie fibre. This is then further hackled and classified in to 2 Tie and 3 Tie based on the length of strands, and the general condition of fibre. The combines are graded as “Omat Fibre”. The hackled fibre is available in natural, bleached and dyed form. These are also available in cut lengths to meet buyer’s individual requirements.

Specification – Colour : Light brown to reddish brown.

Textures should handle strong and stiff. 1 Tie and Omat may be of softer feel. Moisture contents of natural colour Bristle fibre shall not exceed 18% unless otherwise agreed upon between the buyer and seller.

Packing :       Exported in 12.5 Kg nett ballots or sometimes uncut fibres in pressed bales of 150 Kg. Cut fibre sometimes are exported packed in wooden chests / boxes each weighting 40 Kg. approx

Uses :           Hackled fibre – Brushes and brooms. Unhackled Bristle fibre and Omat for spinning Twine.

Twisting is done manually or mechanically. The former is called Hand Twisted and later Mechanical Twisted Fibre. The proportions of fibre used for twisting varies, according to buyers requirements.

Specifications – Hand Twisted fibre is generally ¾” to 1” in diameter, whereas machine twisted fibre is ½” to ¾”

Packing  -  In coils of about 15 to 20 Kgs. Twisted fibre polished / Dyed are gunny covered and exported.

Uses – Twisted fibre is used to make rubberized mattresses, upholstery, insulation of drainage pipes, filtering etc.