Snapshot

• Why Alleppey coir is iconic: Known as the “Venice of the East,” Alappuzha (Alleppey) is also regarded as the world’s coir capital. The region is a historic hub for coir mats, mats, rugs, and handicrafts made from coconut husk fiber, a craft tradition dating back centuries.
  
• Global leadership: India is the largest producer and exporter of coir products, and Alleppey is home to Coir Board headquarters, making it a worldwide sourcing hub for eco-friendly flooring and lifestyle products.
  
• Sustainability factor: Coir is a 100% natural, renewable, and biodegradable fiber, widely used in zero-plastic lifestyle and interior décor markets.
  

Product Range

Category	Key Products
Floor Coverings	Handloom and power-loom mats, doormats, rugs, mattings, and carpets.
Runners & Area Rugs	Coir floor runners, decorative carpets, and anti-slip mats.
Door Mats & Utility Mats	Printed mats, tufted mats, rubber-backed coir mats.
Coir-Based Handicrafts	Baskets, wall décor, planters, coir toys, eco-packaging.
Industrial & Eco Products	Coir geotextiles, erosion-control mats, grow bags, and coir boards.

Craft Technique

Step	Details
Fiber Extraction	Coconut husks retted in backwaters; fiber manually or mechanically extracted.
Spinning	Fibers spun into yarn using traditional ratts (spinning wheels) or mechanized systems.
Weaving & Tufting	Mats woven on handlooms or power looms; tufting machines used for printed doormats.
Printing	Eco-friendly dyes used for stenciled or screen-printed patterns.
Finishing	Products trimmed, bound, washed, and sun-dried for durability.

Materials & Sustainability

• Raw Material: Coconut husk fiber (brown coir for mats; white coir for finer mattings).
  
• Eco Advantage:
  
  • Fully biodegradable and compostable.
    
  • By-products (pith, coir dust) used for horticulture and packaging.
    
  • Minimal carbon footprint as much of the process is manual and water-based.
    
• Social Impact: Employs over 350,000 workers in Kerala, with a large percentage being women artisans.
  
• Cultural Heritage: Coir weaving is a centuries-old traditional industry in Kerala, supported by cooperatives.
  

Cluster Infrastructure

• Key Hub: Alappuzha (Alleppey) hosts the Coir Board HQ and a cluster of coir spinning and weaving units.
  
• Supporting Organizations:
  
  • Coir Board (Ministry of MSME): R&D, product certification, and export promotion.
    
  • Kerala State Coir Corporation (KSCC): Government enterprise for production and marketing.
    
  • Coirfed (Kerala State Coir Cooperative Federation): Coordinates 600+ cooperatives.
    
• Industrial Link: Alappuzha is part of India’s Coir Industrial Cluster Development Program.
  
• Export Gateway: Nearby Kochi Port is the primary export hub.
  

Compliance & Certifications

• Coir Board Certification: Guarantees fiber quality and product authenticity.
  
• ISO Standards: Many exporters comply with ISO 9001:2015 quality standards.
  
• Eco Labels: OEKO-TEX® and AZO-free dye certifications.
  
• Fair-Trade Practices: Coir cooperatives ensure equitable wages and community welfare.
  

Production Timelines & MOQs

Product Type	Sampling Lead Time	Bulk Lead Time	MOQ Guidance
Tufted & Printed Mats	7–10 days	4–6 weeks	200–500 pcs/style
Handloom Mats & Rugs	10–14 days	6–8 weeks	100–200 pcs/style
Decorative Baskets & Crafts	7–10 days	4–6 weeks	200–500 pcs/style
Industrial Geotextiles & Boards	2–3 weeks	6–8 weeks	Custom Orders

Branding & Packaging

• Branding:
  
  • Coir Board tags, QR-coded artisan or cooperative profiles.
    
  • Sustainability labels for eco-marketing.
    
• Packaging:
  
  • Mats rolled or flat-packed in moisture-proof kraft paper or shrink wrap.
    
  • Eco-friendly cartons and pallets for bulk exports.
    
  • Retail packaging with branding sleeves and barcoding for global markets.
    
• Marketing Angle: Position Alleppey as the “Global Coir Capital” with a legacy of heritage weaving and eco-products.
  

Quality Control (IndiaUnbox Protocol)

• Fiber Quality: Length, tensile strength, and moisture content checks.
  
• Durability Testing: Anti-slip backing, water resistance, and abrasion testing.
  
• Printing Quality: Stencil sharpness and eco-dye fastness validation.
  
• Export QC: ISTA drop and vibration tests for international shipments.
  

Price Drivers

• Fiber grade (brown coir vs white coir).
  
• Weaving style (handloom vs mechanized).
  
• Printing complexity and eco-certification costs.
  
• Export packaging and retail branding requirements.
  

Buyer Confidence Signals

• Global Leadership: India exports coir products to 100+ countries, with Alleppey as its epicenter.
  
• Eco Positioning: 100% biodegradable, renewable fiber solutions.
  
• Government Support: Coir Board ensures quality, innovation, and trade facilitation.
  
• Market Diversity: Products cater to luxury décor, mass retail, horticulture, and zero-waste industries.