Coconut leaves and shells were a part of ancient clothing but did you ever know that they can be part of modern clothing too? If you wonder how, this might help you to acquire a little more knowledge about what’s happening in the textile industry. With the phrase eco-friendly catching up everywhere, it has now entered into the clothing aspect of our lives too as part of an eco-friendly lifestyle. But that doesn’t mean that you have to dress like ancient tribes, that wouldn’t be modest, would it?
There is a drastic reformation in the manufacturing of fabrics which have natural coconut components added to them. Basically we all are aware of coconut coir. This is the stiff and coarse fiber present in the outer husk of the coconut. This coconut shell fiber is wear resistant and as well as hard water resistant which makes it durable and easy to maintain. Due to the innumerable potential benefits of this product, it is highly preferred in the fashion industry in creating new line outfits with a twist. The result is the development of the new coconut fabric called Cocona Fabric. With this innovation coconut is added to the effective eco-friendly line of clothing next to cotton and bamboo. The extensive properties of coconut fiber make it suitable for commercial clothing for all seasons, especially summer when it is too hot. With its benefits coming to light, no doubt it is the future of eco-friendly clothing.
Coconut Yarn:
The white fiber from the fresh coconuts with green outer cover is used to make ropes and doormats. On the other hand, they are also used to make fabrics. These husks are not directly incorporated but are transformed into durable and usable yarn which is then used in making attractive clothing. Initially, the undeveloped husks are soaked in water for about ten months. This is called retting and it is essential to loosen the strands of white fibers from the coconuts. Then, the white fibers are removed from the coconuts using a defibering machine and then spun into yarns using spinning wheels. Then these yarns are dyed into different colors and are weaved into a variety of clothing.
Cocona:
The regular synthetic fabrics are infused with coconut husks, not directly, but these husks are processed into value-added activated carbon or coconut charcoal. This coconut charcoal is infused in the synthetics fabrics such as recycled polyester. The resulting fabric has some amazing properties, it is naturally UV-protective, it wicks better, dries quickly, absorbs odor and release the odor in the wash and stays cooler for long hours which is found to be an incredible 30{68d322ae31f1e6e0c1fb01577a31b4c5acc2b218b32cc133daf91ba1cb302777} to 50{68d322ae31f1e6e0c1fb01577a31b4c5acc2b218b32cc133daf91ba1cb302777}. It is 92{68d322ae31f1e6e0c1fb01577a31b4c5acc2b218b32cc133daf91ba1cb302777} fast drying than cotton. This is a breakthrough in the field of manufacturing sports clothing and gear. Several reputed sports clothing brands are already in the process of manufacturing and marketing Cocona fabric clothing in the form of sports jerseys, lightweight fleeces and shells.
Advantages of Coconut shell fabric:
- Highly durable
- UV resistant
- Wicks moisture
- Quick drying
- Good odor absorbent
- Wrinkle free
- Light-weight
- Comfortable
- Eco-friendly and free from chemicals