Alappuzha (Kerala) Feb 2 (IANS) Researchers in Kerala have developed a coir-based sound panelling system that offers a superior, low-cost, organic alternative to synthetic acoustic design products used in construction, architecture and engineering.
Developed by the Thiruvananthapuram-based National Coir Research & Management Institute (NCRMI) in partnership with the Institute of Indian Interior Designers (IIID), the Accoir is on display at an ongoing Kerala international expo on coir and natural fibre products which opened here Sunday.
Accoir, which comes in the form of ceiling and wall tiles, is the result of two years research to manufacture a high quality, marketable product that leverages the well known sound absorption properties of coir, a natural fibre obtained from coconut.
"Acoustic panels used for interior decoration and as sound barriers constitute a very niche market," said Kerala's Minister for Revenue and Coir Adoor Prakash.
"Introducing an organic product in this segment, especially one derived from as sustainable a material as coir, could be a very successful move commercially," the minister added.
NCRMI director K.R. Anil said the main challenge for researchers was not just to enhance the acoustic properties of coir, but overcome its natural limitations such as coarseness of texture and flammability.
"Commercially viable acoustic panels need to be fire retardant, easy to install and clean, durable and aesthetically pleasing," he said.
"With Accoir, we have not just managed to achieve all of these but have created a product that matches and even betters the properties of the best available products globally," he added.
The leading acoustic products in the market have a Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) -- a sound absorption rating -- of around 0.5 to 0.6. (NRC is measured on a scale of 0 to 1 with the latter indicating perfect absorption).
Accoir, when tested, returned values as high as 0.7 to 0.8.
NCRMI has filed for a patent and will soon look at production and marketing partners to commercially launch Accoir.
Accoir comes as a 25mm thick panelling system for the ceiling and a 40 mm wall cladding system. It is ideal for theatres, conference venues, conference halls, homes and any space that requires good sound modulation.
Although the price point of the new coir panels has not been fixed yet, it is expected to cost at par or less than the materials currently available in the market.
Salman Khan: Salman Khan, who arrived to attend the event with tight security, was seen carrying niece Ayat in his lap
Salman Khan loves his younger sister Arpita Khan Sharma very much. There is a great bond between the two siblings. Not only this, Arpita's daughter Ayat is also Salman Mamu's beloved niece. A video of
Mamata wishes to meet Modi for debt waiver
Kolkata, Feb 25 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Wednesday said she has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging a debt waiver and seeking an appointment with him to discuss
Repo Rate: 68,625 crore burden on MSME and retail customers due to increase in repo rate by 2.25%
An SBI report states that 47 percent of the total borrowers in the country are linked to the loan external benchmark (EBR). This simply means that with the increase in the rate of RBI, their interest
'This is a historic moment', said PM Modi on passing of Waqf Bill- People who have been marginalized for a long time will get support
The Waqf Amendment Bill has been approved by the Parliament. After the Lok Sabha, the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 was passed in the Rajya Sabha. The first reaction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has
E-Cars: 75 percent of the vehicles sold in the country will be e-cars, and new jobs will be created
Electric vehicles will account for 30 percent of the vehicles sold in the country by 2030. By 2050, this share will increase to 75 percent. The Council on Energy, Environment, and Water (CEEW) report
Parliament Security Breach: How to enter Parliament House? Delhi Police will take the accused and recreate the scene
The Special Cell of Delhi Police will take the accused to the Parliament complex on Saturday or Sunday and recreate the scene. The special cell will reconstruct the picture of the Parliament security
Farmers Protest In Delhi: Mahapanchayat of farmers in Ramlila Maidan today, traffic advisory issued; This route diverted
Farmers are holding a Mahapanchayat in Delhi on March 14 for many demands including MSP. The Mahapanchayat will be held at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi. The Mahapanchayat has already been approved and the
Coronavirus Update: India has the lowest number of Covid-19 cases since March 2020, active cases also declined
Coronavirus Update: India has recorded the lowest number of Covid-19 cases since March 2020. According to the data updated by the Union Health Ministry on Tuesday, 89 new cases of coronavirus have
US President Biden said something like this, Russia will be shocked; Open warning given on nuclear attack
Russia-Ukraine War: US President Joe Biden warned Russia against using nuclear weapons in Ukraine, saying it would be a very serious mistake. This open warning from Biden is certainly not to be liked
Inflation: Inflation and higher price may reduce the demand for gold in India
Gold demand may decline in the second half. This is because the demand for it is decreasing due to inflation and rising prices. The World Gold Council (WGC) said that less gold is being bought in
