India's Coconut and Coir Economy
Coconut Shells and Activated Carbon
How coconut shells are turned into charcoal and activated carbon used in water filters and gold mining, and how this creates a valuable export.
Coconut shells have value.
Charcoal
Shells are burned into charcoal.
Activated carbon
Charcoal is activated with steam to create a very porous material.
Uses
- Water and air filters.
- Gold recovery in mining.
- Batteries and supercapacitors.
Exports
India exports coconut shell activated carbon, with Tamil Nadu a key hub.
Crafts
Shells also become crafts and utensils.
Circular economy
Using shells turns waste into income.
The water filter
The carbon in a home water filter may come from coconut shells burned in Tamil Nadu.
Thinking coconut shells are waste
They become valuable activated carbon.
Key takeaways
- Shells become charcoal.
- Activated carbon filters water.
- It's used in gold mining.
- India exports it.
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