Date:13/08/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/08/13/stories/2004081301201200.htm

Back `Eco pot' in market soon

L.N. Revathy

Coimbatore , Aug. 12

YET another value-added product from coir, in the form of an environment-friendly garden pot or `Eco Pot', is to hit the market soon.

The product, developed by the Palani-based Bio Farms, is intricately woven with thin bamboo sticks and coir.

Company sources told Business Line that they procured the coir, separated the fibre, sprayed fungicide to prevent termite infestation and then plaited it with thin bamboo sticks. According to them, it has excellent water retention capacity.

The fibre requirement for making a pot ranged between 50 gm and 400 gm, depending on the size. The company is also planning to roll out briquettes, which can be used a base material in roof gardens.

Trials conducted with the product show quick germination and good growth. The company is exploring the prospect of making machine-made pots to meet the demand.

"A worker can weave three pots each day. In the mechanical process, the numbers can be amplified. Each pot has a life span of 12-18 months," the source said.