Coir glossary: how to use this page.
This glossary covers 67 technical terms used across the coconut coir supply chain, from husk sourcing through processing, substrate formulation, quality grading, international trade and regulatory standards. Each entry includes the English definition, the Portuguese (PT) and Spanish (ES) equivalents, and the primary source. Terms are grouped into nine categories and listed alphabetically within each category.
Use the letter navigation below to jump to a specific category, or scroll through the full list. The sidebar table of contents links to each category header.
Bristle fiber
Longer, stiffer fibers extracted from the outer mesocarp of mature coconut husk. Bristle fiber is typically 15–30 cm in length and has higher tensile strength than mattress fiber. Used for brushes, brooms, mattresses, geotextiles and erosion-control mats. In Brazil, bristle fiber is separated mechanically during dry decorticating.
Coco peat / cocopeat
Common commercial name for coir pith. Technically incorrect: “peat” refers to fossil organic matter accumulated in bogs over thousands of years, while coir pith is a renewable annual byproduct of coconut processing. The term persists in Asian export markets. Buyers should specify “coir pith” to avoid ambiguity about product origin, processing level and salt content.
Coconut husk
Fibrous outer layer of the coconut fruit comprising the exocarp (outer skin) and mesocarp (fibrous tissue). The husk represents approximately 35% of the weight of a mature coconut and is the raw material from which coir fiber and coir pith are extracted. Green coconut husk is 80–85% of gross weight and is wetter and softer than dry husk.
Coir
General term for the fibrous material obtained from the mesocarp of the coconut fruit (Cocos nucifera). Coir encompasses both the long fibers and the fine pith (dust) produced during mechanical or water-retting extraction. The word derives from the Malayalam kayar, meaning cord. Coir is classified under HS code 5305 for international trade.
Coir chips / husk chips
Pieces of coconut husk cut or broken to 5–15 mm, used to increase aeration and drainage in substrate mixes. Chips have lower water-holding capacity and higher air-filled porosity than coir pith. Commonly blended with pith at ratios of 20–40% chips for long-cycle crops such as roses, berries and orchids. Useful substrate life of coarse chips: 8–10 years.
Coir dust
Very fine particles (<0.5 mm) generated during fiber extraction. When present in excess, coir dust clogs aeration pores and reduces air-filled porosity below acceptable levels. Controlled sieving during processing removes dust to achieve target granulometry. Dust fraction is an indicator of processing quality.
Coir fiber
Fibers mechanically extracted from the mesocarp of mature coconut. Individual fibers are 10–30 cm long and 0.1–1.5 mm in diameter. Used in ropes, mats, brushes, mattress pads, geotextiles, erosion-control blankets and as a structural component in substrate blends. Coir fiber has high lignin content (40–45%), which gives it resistance to biological degradation.
Coir pith
Fine, spongy material remaining after fiber extraction from the coconut mesocarp, containing short residual fibers (<2 cm). Coir pith is the primary coir product for horticultural substrates due to its high water-holding capacity (400–800 mL/L), near-neutral pH (5.5–6.8) and good cation exchange capacity. Sold as compressed blocks, slabs and grow bags.
Dry coconut / mature coconut
Coconut fruit harvested at full maturity (11–13 months). A mature coconut is approximately 65% nut (albumen, water, shell) and 35% fibrous husk by weight. The husk of dry coconut yields stiffer, more durable fiber than green coconut husk and is the preferred feedstock for traditional coir processing.
Green coconut
Immature coconut fruit harvested at 6–8 months primarily for coconut water. The husk of a green coconut comprises 80–85% of gross fruit weight and has a much higher moisture content than dry husk. Green husk is not traditionally processed by the fiber industry but represents a large waste stream in Brazil, where coconut water consumption generates millions of husks annually.
Mattress fiber / short fiber
Shorter fiber fraction (typically 2–10 cm) separated during mechanical processing. Lower tensile strength than bristle fiber. Used for mattress fillings, cushion stuffing, insulation material and blended substrate products. In some markets referred to as “mixed fiber” or “fiber tow.”
Mesocarp
The fibrous intermediate layer of the Cocos nucifera fruit, located between the outer exocarp (skin) and the inner endocarp (shell). The mesocarp is the tissue from which both coir fiber and coir pith are extracted. Its thickness and fiber density vary with coconut variety, growing conditions and maturity at harvest.
Compressed block / brick
Coir pith compressed at 5:1 to 8:1 volume ratio for efficient transport and storage. Standard block weight: 5 kg (expands to approximately 70–75 liters when rehydrated). Compression reduces shipping volume dramatically: a 20 ft container holds 20–22 tonnes of compressed blocks versus 5–6 tonnes of loose pith. Blocks must reach <20% moisture before pressing to prevent mold during transit.
Grow bag
Plastic-wrapped slab of coir substrate for hydroponic production, with pre-cut drainage holes or slits. Commonly used for tomato, pepper, cucumber and strawberry crops. Standard dimensions: 100 × 15 × 7 cm or 100 × 20 × 7.5 cm. Grow bags use washed or buffered coir with controlled EC and granulometry for consistent root-zone conditions across long growing cycles.
Slab
Flat rectangular block of compressed coir for use in hydroponic growing systems. Slabs are placed in gutters or channels and irrigated with nutrient solution. Typical dimensions: 100 × 15 × 7 cm or 100 × 20 × 7.5 cm. Compression ratio for slabs is typically 4:1. The slab format allows uniform root distribution and consistent drainage across the growing bed.
Buffering
Chemical treatment of coir pith with a calcium solution — typically calcium nitrate (Ca(NO3)2) or calcium chloride (CaCl2) — that exchanges bound potassium (K+) and sodium (Na+) for calcium (Ca2+) at the coir’s cation exchange sites. After buffering, the substrate releases far less K and Na into the nutrient solution, preventing interference with fertigation programs. EC after buffering: typically <0.4 mS/cm (1:5 method). The Ca2+ that displaced Na/K becomes chemically bound and is not directly plant-available.
Calcium buffering
See Buffering. The calcium ion (Ca2+) that displaced sodium and potassium during the buffering process becomes chemically bound at cation exchange sites and is not plant-available. Growers must still supply calcium through their fertigation program. Calcium buffering is the industry-standard post-wash treatment for professional-grade coir substrates.
Compression ratio
The volume reduction achieved during mechanical pressing of coir pith or fiber. Expressed as a ratio of uncompressed to compressed volume. Compressed blocks: 5:1 to 8:1. Slabs and grow bags: typically 4:1. Higher compression ratios reduce shipping costs but require more press energy and may affect rehydration speed.
Decortication
Mechanical separation of coir fiber from the coconut husk. In dry processing, the husk is fed through a decorticating machine that beats and tears the mesocarp tissue apart, separating long fibers from pith. Decortication is the primary extraction step and its intensity determines the fiber-to-pith ratio and the length distribution of the resulting fiber.
Dry mechanical processing
Method of separating fiber and pith from coconut husk using mechanical equipment without prior water retting. Dry processing avoids the salt contamination risk of brackish-water retting and produces more consistent pith quality. It is the standard method in Brazil and is increasingly adopted in producing countries that traditionally used water retting.
Expansion ratio
Volume of hydrated substrate obtained per kilogram of dry compressed coir product. Fine coir pith: approximately 15 L/kg. Medium grade: 14 L/kg. Coarse grade: 13 L/kg. The expansion ratio determines how many liters of ready-to-use substrate a container load of compressed product yields and is a key factor in delivered cost per liter.
Retting
Traditional method of soaking coconut husks in water for weeks to months before fiber extraction. Retting softens the mesocarp tissue and facilitates fiber separation. Historically practiced in coastal lagoons and backwaters in South and Southeast Asia. If the water source is brackish or saline, retting can introduce high levels of sodium and chloride into the coir, raising EC in the final product.
Washing
Passing fresh water through coir pith to remove soluble salts — primarily potassium (K+), sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl−) — and reduce electrical conductivity. Washing alone reduces EC from the 0.8–1.5 mS/cm range (natural) to 0.4–0.8 mS/cm (washed grade). Further reduction to <0.4 mS/cm requires calcium buffering after washing.
Air-filled porosity (AFP)
Volume of air remaining in the substrate after gravitational drainage, expressed as a percentage of total container volume. AFP is critical for root respiration; insufficient air causes root suffocation and disease. Coir pith: 10–30% AFP depending on particle size. Peat moss: 5–15%. Blending coir chips with pith increases AFP.
Bulk density
Mass of substrate per unit volume, measured on a dry basis. Unit: kg/m³ or g/L. Coir pith bulk density: 40–90 kg/m³. Peat moss: 60–120 kg/m³. Lower bulk density means lighter containers and lower freight cost per liter of substrate. Bulk density is a mandatory guarantee parameter for substrates in Brazil under IN MAPA 5/2016.
Cation exchange capacity (CEC)
Measure of a substrate’s ability to hold and exchange positively charged nutrient ions such as Ca2+, Mg2+, K+ and Na+. Coir has a moderate CEC, meaning it holds some nutrients between fertigation events. Buffering works by exploiting coir’s CEC to swap bound Na/K for Ca. CEC is not typically a guarantee parameter but influences fertigation management.
Container capacity
Maximum water content a container substrate holds after gravitational drainage, with no further suction. Container capacity depends on substrate properties, container height and drainage design. It is conceptually similar to field capacity in soil science but applied to containerized media. A key parameter for scheduling irrigation frequency in commercial greenhouse production.
EC 1:1.5 extract
Dutch standard analysis method for substrate EC. Substrate is placed in a standard pot, saturated with deionized water, equilibrated and the extract is collected by vacuum suction. Used by the RHP certification system. EC values measured by the 1:1.5 method are higher than those from the 1:5 method for the same substrate, because the extract is less diluted.
EC 1:5 extract
Analysis method where one volume of substrate is agitated in five volumes of deionized water, then pH and EC are measured in the liquid extract. Basis of European standards EN 13037 (pH) and EN 13038 (EC), and the official Brazilian method for substrate EC measurement. The higher dilution produces lower EC readings than the 1:1.5 method.
Electrical conductivity (EC)
Indirect measure of total soluble salt content in a substrate or solution. EC depends on the extraction method used (1:5, 1:1.5 or saturated media extract), so values from different methods are not directly comparable. Unit: dS/m = mS/cm. For coir, natural EC is 0.8–1.5, washed is 0.4–0.8, and buffered is <0.4 mS/cm (all 1:5 method). EC is the single most important quality parameter for coir substrates.
Moisture content
Water percentage of substrate by weight or volume. For coir, the critical moisture content is the drying target before compression: <20% moisture prevents mold growth during ocean transit and storage. Moisture is measured by oven-drying at 105 °C to constant weight. Excessively low moisture (<8%) can make coir hydrophobic and slow to rehydrate.
Particle size distribution / granulometry
Proportions of substrate particles by size class, determined by sieving through a series of standard mesh sizes. Granulometry is “the name” in Romero’s “name and surname” framework: it determines a substrate’s water retention, air porosity and drainage characteristics. Fine, medium and coarse grades have distinct granulometric profiles suited to different crop types.
pH
Measure of hydrogen ion concentration indicating acidity or alkalinity. Scale: 0 (most acidic) to 14 (most alkaline); 7 is neutral. Coir pith pH: 5.5–6.8, close to optimal for most crops. Peat moss pH: 3.5–4.5, requiring liming before use. pH in substrates is measured using the 1:5 extract method (EN 13037) or the 1:1.5 method (RHP).
Saturated media extract (SME)
Analysis method where substrate is saturated with deionized water, allowed to equilibrate, and the solution is extracted by vacuum. Used primarily in North American labs. Produces EC and nutrient concentration values between those of the 1:5 and 1:1.5 methods. SME is the standard method recommended by most US extension services for container substrate testing.
Water-holding capacity (WHC)
Volume of water a substrate retains per unit volume after free drainage, expressed as mL/L or as a percentage. Coir pith WHC: 400–800 mL/L depending on particle size. WHC is a mandatory guarantee parameter for substrates sold in Brazil under IN MAPA 5/2016. Fine coir has the highest WHC; adding chips reduces it while increasing air porosity.
Wettability
Ease and speed with which a dry substrate absorbs water during rehydration. Substrates with slow wettability take longer to expand from compressed blocks, potentially requiring surfactants or extended soaking. Coir dried below 8% moisture can become temporarily hydrophobic. Wettability testing measures time to full saturation under standardized conditions.
Drip irrigation
Precision irrigation method that delivers water and nutrients directly to the root zone through emitters placed at each plant. Drip systems are standard in commercial greenhouse production using coir substrates, where controlled fertigation replaces soil nutrient cycling. Emitter flow rate, interval and duration are calibrated to the substrate’s water-holding capacity and drainage rate.
Fertigation
Combined delivery of mineral fertilizer and irrigation water through drip systems directly to coir substrate. Because coir has moderate CEC and releases some potassium naturally (less in buffered grades), fertigation formulas must be adjusted for the specific coir grade. Buffered coir requires less K adjustment than natural or washed grades.
Growing medium / substrate
Any material used in place of natural soil for plant cultivation in containers, bags, trays or hydroponic channels. Growing media include coir pith, peat moss, perlite, vermiculite, rockwool and composted bark. In Brazil, substrates for plant production are regulated by Instrução Normativa MAPA 5/2016, which defines mandatory guarantee parameters (EC, pH, WHC, CRA, density).
Hydroponics
Soilless plant cultivation using mineral nutrient solutions, with or without a solid growing medium. Coir is one of the primary solid media for both open (run-to-waste) and closed (recirculating) hydroponic systems. The Dutch greenhouse industry, the world’s largest, increasingly uses coir substrates in hydroponic vegetable and ornamental production as peat phase-out regulations take effect.
Retention curve
Graph plotting substrate water content against applied suction or tension. The retention curve shows how a substrate releases water as roots extract moisture, revealing the “easily available water” and “buffering water” fractions at different tensions. More informative than simple composition ratios (70:30, 80:20 pith:chip) which are not standardized and do not predict actual hydraulic behavior.
Run-to-waste
Open hydroponic system where nutrient solution drains through the coir substrate and is not recirculated. Simpler than closed recirculating systems but uses more water and fertilizer. The drain fraction (typically 20–30% of applied volume) carries away accumulated salts, preventing root-zone EC buildup. Widely used with coir grow bags for tomato and pepper production.
Soilless culture
Any cultivation system that replaces natural soil with substrates (coir, peat, perlite, rockwool, composted bark) or with pure nutrient solutions (water culture). Soilless culture eliminates soil-borne diseases, enables precise nutrient control and allows year-round production in controlled environments. The transition from peat to coir in soilless culture is driven by both EU regulation and agronomic advantages.
Buffered grade
Coir pith that has been washed and then treated with calcium nitrate or calcium chloride to displace bound sodium and potassium. EC after buffering: typically <0.4 mS/cm (1:5 method). Buffered grade is required for professional hydroponic production, especially tomato, pepper and berry crops where sodium and potassium interference with fertigation formulas must be minimized.
Natural grade
Coir pith with no post-extraction chemical or water treatment. EC of natural coir: typically 0.8–1.5 mS/cm (1:5 method). Suitable for non-sensitive applications such as landscaping, soil amendment, compost blending and erosion control. Not recommended for direct use in professional horticulture or hydroponic systems without further processing.
RHP certification
Dutch horticultural quality standard administered by the RHP Foundation (Stichting RHP). Covers physical, chemical and biological quality of substrates and raw materials including coir. RHP-certified suppliers undergo unannounced factory inspections every 2–3 months. RHP certification is a market requirement for coir entering the Netherlands and much of Northern Europe.
RPP (Responsibly Produced Peat)
Certification for peat sourced under environmental and social sustainability criteria, including site restoration after extraction. Required by the Dutch Peat Covenant from 2025 for peat used in Dutch horticultural substrates. RPP certification does not apply to coir but is relevant context for understanding the competitive dynamics between coir and peat in EU markets.
Washed grade
Coir pith washed with fresh water to reduce soluble salt content. EC after washing: typically 0.4–0.8 mS/cm (1:5 method). Washed coir is suitable for many horticultural applications but may still release potassium and sodium from bound (exchangeable) positions on cation exchange sites over time. For sensitive crops, buffered grade is preferred.
OMRI listing
Certification by the Organic Materials Review Institute confirming that a product is allowed for use in USDA National Organic Program production. OMRI-listed coir products can be used as growing media in certified organic farms and greenhouses. OMRI reviews product composition, manufacturing aids and any additives against the National List of allowed substances.
CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight)
International trade pricing term (Incoterm) where the seller covers the cost of goods, marine insurance and freight to the named destination port. The buyer assumes risk once goods cross the ship’s rail at the port of loading but the seller pays freight. CIF pricing is common in coir trade with buyers in the Americas and Europe.
FCL (Full Container Load)
Shipping term meaning an entire container is loaded with one shipper’s cargo. Standard containers for coir: 20 ft (holding 20–22 tonnes of compressed blocks) or 40 ft (holding 24–26 tonnes). FCL is the standard shipping unit for bulk coir trade; LCL (less than container load) is used only for samples and small trial orders.
FOB (Free on Board)
International trade pricing term (Incoterm) where the seller covers all costs and risk until goods are loaded on the vessel at the named port of shipment. The buyer pays freight and insurance. FOB pricing allows buyers to negotiate their own shipping rates. For Brazilian coir, the typical FOB port is Pecem (Ceara).
HS code
Harmonized System code used worldwide for customs classification of traded goods. Coir fiber is classified under HS 5305. Coir pith and coir-based growing media have varying classifications depending on the destination country (some classify under HS 5305, others under HS 6815 or tariff headings for prepared growing media). Correct HS code selection affects duty rates, phytosanitary requirements and trade statistics.
Peat
Fossil organic matter accumulated in peatlands (bogs) over thousands of years by the partial decomposition of sphagnum moss and other plants in waterlogged, oxygen-poor conditions. Peat has been the dominant substrate in European horticulture since the 1960s. Peatlands store approximately twice as much carbon as all the world’s forests combined, making peat extraction environmentally damaging. Peat is not the same as coir pith despite the commercial name “coco peat.”
Peat Covenant (Netherlands)
Binding agreement signed in 2022 between the Dutch government, substrate industry and horticultural sector for progressive reduction of peat in growing media. Target: 50% of substrate raw materials from renewable sources (including coir) by 2030. The Covenant drives demand for coir in Northern Europe and sets quality and certification requirements (RPP for peat, RHP for alternatives).
Torfausstieg
German term meaning “peat phase-out.” The BMEL (German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture) national strategy targets ending peat use in hobby/retail growing media by 2026 and significantly reducing professional peat use by 2030 (voluntary targets). Germany is the EU’s largest hobby substrate market, and the Torfausstieg creates additional demand for coir and other renewable alternatives.
ABNT
Associação Brasileira de Normas Técnicas (Brazilian Association of Technical Standards). Issues national standards for industrial products including substrates and growing media. ABNT standards complement the regulatory framework set by IN MAPA 5/2016 for substrate quality parameters.
EN 13037
European standard for pH determination in growing media and soil improvers. Specifies the 1:5 volume extraction method: one volume of substrate is shaken in five volumes of deionized water, then pH is measured in the resulting extract. EN 13037 is the reference method for pH in European substrate trade and is also adopted in Brazil.
EN 13038
European standard for electrical conductivity determination in growing media and soil improvers. Uses the same 1:5 extract as EN 13037. EC is reported in mS/cm (= dS/m). EN 13038 is the basis for EC specifications in international coir trade and for the Brazilian official EC method.
EN 13041
European standard for determination of physical properties of growing media: bulk density, total pore space, air content and water content at different tensions. EN 13041 defines the laboratory procedures for the physical characterization that underpins substrate specifications for professional use.
EMBRAPA
Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation). Federal research agency under the Ministry of Agriculture that publishes research on coconut production, husk processing, coir fiber properties and substrate formulation. Embrapa’s work on green coconut husk utilization is particularly relevant to the Brazilian coir industry.
IBGE
Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics). Publishes annual agricultural production data through the PAM (Produção Agrícola Municipal) survey, which includes coconut harvest volumes by municipality. IBGE data is the primary source for estimating Brazilian coconut husk availability for coir production.
IN MAPA 5/2016
Instrução Normativa number 5 of 2016, issued by the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture (MAPA). Defines mandatory guarantee parameters for substrates sold in Brazil: electrical conductivity, pH, water-holding capacity (capacidade de retenção de água), bulk density and moisture content. Producers must declare these parameters on product labels. IN MAPA 5/2016 is the regulatory framework for the Brazilian substrate market.
ISO 9001
International standard for quality management systems, published by the International Organization for Standardization. When applied to coir processing facilities, ISO 9001 certification ensures documented procedures for raw material receipt, processing, quality control, packaging and traceability. Some international buyers require ISO 9001 certification from their coir suppliers.
Trichoderma
Genus of beneficial soil fungi widely used as biological control agents against plant pathogens including Fusarium, Rhizoctonia and Pythium. Some coir substrate producers inoculate their products with Trichoderma species for disease suppression in the root zone. Trichoderma colonizes the substrate and competes with or parasitizes pathogenic fungi, reducing the need for chemical fungicides.
Circular economy
Economic model in which waste streams become inputs for new production cycles, minimizing disposal and resource extraction. Coir is a natural fit for the circular economy: coconut husks are a byproduct of the coconut food and beverage industry, and spent coir substrate can be composted and returned to agricultural soils as organic matter. The circular narrative is increasingly valued by European buyers subject to sustainability reporting requirements.
Name and surname
Framework coined by Romero for specifying coir substrate quality: “Buy coir with name AND surname. Name = granulometry. Surname = salt level.” The four salt-level tiers, from least to most processed: unwashed (natural), washed, super-washed, and treated (calcium/magnesium buffered). A complete coir specification always includes both the particle size grade (name) and the processing/salt level (surname).
Explore more market intelligence.
Sources.
- Embrapa — Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária. Technical publications on coconut production, husk processing and coir fiber properties.
- Romero — Coir substrate technical webinar. Industry data on processing levels, expansion ratios, compression, EC grades and the “name and surname” framework.
- Cadena — Coir horticulture webinar. Substrate properties, retention curves, fertigation management and practical agronomic application of coir.
- RHP Foundation — Stichting RHP, Netherlands. Quality certification standards for substrates and growing media raw materials.
- OMRI — Organic Materials Review Institute. Certification for materials allowed in USDA National Organic Program production.
- EN 13037, EN 13038, EN 13041 — European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Standards for pH, EC and physical properties of growing media.
- IBGE — Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. Produção Agrícola Municipal (PAM) annual survey.
- IN MAPA 5/2016 — Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture. Regulatory framework for substrates.
- Blok, C. et al. — Wageningen University & Research. Physical properties of coir and peat substrates.
- Dutch Peat Covenant (2022) — Agreement between Dutch government and substrate industry on peat reduction targets.
- BMEL / Thuenen Institute — German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture. Torfausstieg national strategy.
- IUCN Peatland Programme — Carbon storage and environmental impact of peatland extraction.
- RPP Foundation — Responsibly Produced Peat certification.
- ISO — International Organization for Standardization. ISO 9001 quality management systems.
- WCO — World Customs Organization. Harmonized System nomenclature for coir products (HS 5305).
- ABNT — Associação Brasileira de Normas Técnicas. Brazilian national standards body.