How would you decompress blocks or slabs of coir pith that were shipped over in containers from various countries? Mitchell Ellis of Semmes Alabama developed and patented the very first Coirbuster , an apparatus and process for breaking apart blocks of compressed particulate materials for Wessex Horticulture in England. Coconut coir , peat moss and the like are fed into a confined breaking space . The process of breaking the coconut coir blocks apart to form a loose mass material is done by causing the blocks or slabs to tumble against one another along a general figure eight path . The blocks of compressed particulate material are brought into contact with a spirally oriented breaking bar. The breaking bar is supported by a central axis by a radially disposed support arms which carry triangular teeth . The action of the spiral breaking bar and lift teeth causes the compressed material to tumble against one another to rub themselves apart in a dry state. The loose materials from the blocks fall through a screen in the bottom and are discharged. The perfectly loose and dry material can be hydrated as the coir is exiting the machine.

Years ago a company from Wessex England was hired by the British government to work with the people of Sir Lanka , to help with teaching the local people on how to develop a market in the horticultural industry. It simply cost to much money to import a suitable growing media . It was noticed that coir pith or fiber dust was being discarded. A process was developed to leach out the salt levels so that it could be used as a growing media. After testing it was found that this was a product that could be used alone and even in blends. But how could you export this fiber dust (coir pith) ,it would be cost preventative in bulk? Press machines were brought in and compressions were done at a rate of 4 to 1 , 5 to 1 , and even up to 10 to 1 ratio. The first 2 worked best in recovery and the latter was simply to damaging to the fiber strands.

The coconut hull and fiber waste have been used for many years to manufacture a variety of products. Car seat stuffing and door mats have been pretty common place. In the last 20 years or so the horticultural market has grown to include biodegradable pots, planters , liners for hanging baskets ,coir mat and the coir pith or peat . With a growing green market and peat moss pricing varying these items are gaining more and more attention.

Mitchell Ellis products carries a line of coconut fiber pots with a perforated bottom that is removable . The pot can be directly planted and the roots can easily grow out the bottom. This fiber pot has a longer shelf life than peat pots and looks better longer in a retail application. Coir mat material is offered along with erosion control bags , erosion control blocks ,hanging baskets, planters , coir peat (pith) and a variety of custom made items.

Many commercial soil companies use this machine to do the job of processing the compressed coir. An automatic loading device can be made to feed pallets of material directly into the Coirbuster therefore cutting the cost of labor.

Many countries are now exporting coconut coir as it has attractive pricing. It has been accepted and my opinion is that it is here to stay.

If you want to learn more or have any questions please contact me and I will be glad to answer .

Sincerely Mitchell Ellis