By Sara Chan | Oct 20, 2009
Decorate your home with Cocohusk
If you think coconut husk is of little value, think again. Paramanathan a/l Kuppusamy or more affectionately known as Nathan , has creatively turned coconut husks into decorative tiles that are used as wall panels.
The coconut tree is aptly dubbed the “tree of life” as mostly every part of it is used or made into usable products. However, the coconut husk is usually thrown away. This will not be the case any longer as Nathan, who is the managing director of Series Supplies, has created wall tiles from husks called Cocohusk.
“They don’t rot, so the material can practically last forever,” he says. Cocohusk tiles measure 7 x 7 inches and are unique as well as aesthetically pleasing. They are also treated for bacteria to ensure that they last.
Both young and old coconut husks are used to produce the tiles. Polishing the husks gives the tiles a sleeker and more sophisticated look. The average price for each Cocohusk tile starts from RM17.
To produce this inventive Malaysian product, coconuts from countries such as Mauritius, Seychelles and the Solomon Islands are purchased because the coconut husks from these areas are thicker.
Due to the inconsistency in sizes, the coconuts go through a selection process at a factory in China. The husk is then removed and cut to size. After that, it is glued on medium density fibreboards to make the tile.
Cocohusk goes international
The Malaysian Timber Industry Board has taken an interest in Cocohusk and has put in efforts to give more exposure to this unique product. “We occasionally get a booth during property exhibitions and conventions to promote Cocohusk,” says Nathan.
Apparently, former Malaysian Prime Ministers and popular Malaysian resorts have been Nathan’s more prominent clients. The Cocohusk tiles have also garnered interest from the international community. They are being used in Cambodia, Sri Lanka and more recently, Dubai.
“We use coconuts because it has always been around – and the husk is always thrown away” he explains. Earlier this year, a range of furniture made of coconut husks was also released.
“We incorporate a lot of other recycled materials into our products as well – such as old bamboo, tree branches, tree resin and even old leaves.”
With a background in construction, Nathan realised that there is a simple way to minimise waste while meeting the demands of the interior design market.
“It is a simple supply and demand equation. There was a high demand for feature walls, and a supply of such raw materials being thrown out,” he states matter-of-factly.
A growing passion
Nathan reveals that the idea for Cocohusk did not stem from eco-friendly intentions.
“At first I wasn’t passionate about eco-friendly designs, it was more a business,” he says.
“But I grew to love it. I’m passionate about recycling and reusing things that have been thrown out and turning it into something useful. I’m now happy with what I’m doing.”
Nathan has plans to expand the Cocohusk range. “We’re currently in the process of developing the coconut husk panels with a more suitable backing to be used outdoors,” he explains.
With such passion for ingenuity and eco-friendly products, we should all expect more creative ideas from Series Supplies.
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