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| Tuesday, 21 December 2004 |
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Coir based erosion control systems to boost local industry EcoProtect Engineering (Pvt) Ltd, a subsidiary of Multichemi Group introduced an innovative and environmentally friendly method of erosion control using coir based erosion control products recently for the first time in Sri Lanka. This technology was unveiled at a seminar titled "Eco Friendly Erosion Control System Using Coir Products" at the Trans Asia Hotel.
Though Sri Lanka is one of the largest exporters of coir and coir based products in the world this technology was never applied here for erosion control, which is a burning issue. This venture would boost the local industry and would be an effective way of controlling soil erosion. Coconut fibre usage has become very common among professionals in various industries due to its versatility. In the horticultural industry, agricultural industry, or erosion control industry, coir has established a remarkable reputation for its superiority to other available natural materials. Compared to the horticultural and agricultural industries, coir is new to the erosion control industry. Recognition of coir in the erosion control industry is because it is an abundant, renewable, natural resource with an extremely slow decomposition rate and a high strength compared to other natural fibres. Coir fibres are derived from the husk of coconut. Coir erosion control products are ideal and economical to install in bio-engineered erosion control applications. These products are biodegradable within three to five years and absorbs moisture up to five to eight times its own weight. Coir erosion control products hug all ground surfaces to hold soil and seed in place and prevents undercutting. They can be installed on slopes exceeding 1:1 ratios, act as a soil nutrient and approximately put back two tons of rich organic matter per acre. Coir erosion control products also accept hydro seeding before and after installation. The major applications of this technology are retaining roadside earth fillings, exposed slopes, maintenance of rehabilitated embankments and re-vegetation of difficult terrains. These coir based Erosion Control Systems can also be used for sea erosion management. The company is a joint venture between Multichemi Group and Coco Technologies (Pvt.) Corporation, Philippines, a leading erosion control specialist in the Philippines. They have been in this field for over 10 years and have been instrumental in making coir-based erosion control systems mandatory in the Philippines. They currently carry out erosion control projects in the Philippines and many other countries. Today the Multichemi Group set up 1993 has ventured into diverse fields such as manufacturing enzymes for garment washing industry, advertising and promotions and designing and installation of coir based erosion control systems. The Multichemi Group has already set up its offices in India and Dubai and has a vision of being a world-class group of companies by the year 2010. President of Coco Technologies Corporation Philippines, Dr. Jastino Arboleda, gave a presentation about the technology and its advantages. Top government officials were present. |
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