Coir fibre is the natural coconut husk material used in erosion control blankets, logs and growing media across Australian projects.

If you work in landscaping, civil construction or revegetation, you have likely used coir fibre products without thinking much about the material itself. Understanding what coir fibre is and how it performs helps you pick the right product weight, density and format for your next job.

This article covers coir fibre properties, how it compares to jute and synthetic alternatives, and which erosion control products use it.

What Coir Fibre Is and Where It Comes From

Coir fibre comes from the husk of coconuts. The fibres are extracted from the thick outer shell between the hard inner shell and the smooth outer skin.

Two types of coir fibre are used in erosion control and landscaping. Brown coir comes from mature coconuts and is strong, stiff and slow to break down. White coir comes from immature green coconuts and is finer and more flexible.

Properties that make coir fibre useful for site works:

• Naturally resistant to saltwater, making it suitable for coastal revegetation and waterway stabilisation
• Holds up to eight times its own weight in water, which helps retain soil moisture
• Breaks down over 2 to 5 years depending on product density and local conditions
• Contains natural lignin that resists fungal decay better than most plant fibres
• pH neutral, so it does not alter soil chemistry when it biodegrades

Most erosion control coir products sold in Australia use brown coir because of its durability. White coir is more common in horticultural growing media and potting mixes.

Coir Fibre vs Jute for Erosion Control

Coir and jute are the two main natural fibre options for erosion control blankets and matting. They perform differently depending on site conditions and how long you need the product to last.

For projects where the ground cover needs to hold for two or more years, coir is the better choice. For short-term seed establishment on flat to moderate slopes, jute soil saver mesh does the job at a lower price point.

Common Coir Fibre Products for Australian Sites

Coir fibre is manufactured into several product formats depending on the application. Each format uses a different density and construction method.

Coir Logs

Coir logs are cylindrical rolls of compressed coir fibre wrapped in coir netting. They are used along waterway banks, drainage channels and the base of slopes to trap sediment and slow water flow.

• Coir Log 150mm x 3m for minor drainage lines and garden swales
• Coir Log 200mm x 3m for creek bank stabilisation and sediment barriers
• Coir Log 300mm x 3m for larger waterway restoration and council stormwater projects

Coir logs biodegrade over 3 to 5 years, which gives bank vegetation enough time to establish and take over the stabilisation role. Staking them in place with hardwood stakes stops them shifting during storm events.

Coir Matting

Coir matting is a woven or bonded blanket of coir fibres used to cover exposed soil on slopes, embankments and revegetation areas. It holds soil in place, retains moisture and gives seeds a protected environment to germinate.

• Coir Matting 400gsm for light-duty slope protection and garden beds
• Coir Matting 700gsm for moderate slopes and revegetation projects
• Coir Matting 900gsm for steep embankments and high-flow areas

The GSM (grams per square metre) rating tells you the density. Higher GSM means a thicker, heavier blanket that lasts longer and handles steeper gradients.

When to Use Coir Fibre Over Synthetic Alternatives

Synthetic erosion control products like polyester mesh and plastic netting last longer than coir. But lasting longer is not always what you want.

Choose coir fibre over synthetics when:

• The project spec requires biodegradable materials (council and government contracts increasingly mandate this)
• The site is near a waterway where plastic contamination is a risk
• You need the product to break down and become part of the soil structure
• Revegetation is the long-term goal and permanent mesh would interfere with root growth
• The site is in an ecologically sensitive area where synthetic residue is not acceptable

On sites where the stabilisation needs to last 10+ years and vegetation will not establish, synthetic products make sense. For everything else, coir fibre does the job and leaves nothing behind.

How to Specify Coir Fibre Products for Your Project

Getting the right coir product starts with three questions about your site. The answers determine the product format, weight and quantity.

1. What is the slope gradient? Steeper slopes need heavier matting (700gsm+) or coir logs at the base.
2. Is there concentrated water flow? Channels and drainage lines need coir logs, not matting.
3. How long does the stabilisation need to last? Short-term seeding jobs can use lighter 400gsm coir. Multi-year revegetation needs 700 to 900gsm.

All Stake Supply carries the full range of coir fibre products in stock at their St Marys NSW warehouse. Orders ship complete, meaning you get every item on your order in one delivery rather than chasing partial shipments from multiple suppliers.

Order Coir Fibre Products for Your Next Job

All Stake Supply has been supplying erosion control and revegetation products to Australian landscapers, contractors and councils for 48 years. Coir logs, coir matting and jute products are in stock and ready to ship anywhere in Australia.

• 1,000+ products in stock at the St Marys warehouse
• Complete delivery guarantee on every order
• Trade pricing available for bulk and repeat orders
• Product advice from a team that has been doing this since 1976

Browse the erosion control range online or contact the team for a quote on your next project.