Key Project findings
This research note presents key findings of the ACIAR-funded CocoVeneer project FST/2009/062:
Development of advanced veneer and other product from coconut wood to enhance livelihoods in South Pacific communities.
Project Overview
This research note outlines an ACIAR-funded project that aims to develop means to sustainably convert senile coconut stems into veneer and veneer-based products, and complementary agricultural products for export or use in Pacific Island economies, particularly Fiji, Samoa and the Solomon Islands. The project supports economic development in these and other Pacific countries.
Environmental Credentials for Coconut Products
This research note provides an overview of the potential for coconut wood and veneer producers to establish environmental credentials for their products in the international marketplace. Environmental credentials for wood products fall into three main types: market assurance of environmentally responsibility, legality of supply, and forest certification. Of these, forest certification is the only formal environmental credential for wood products recognised internationally.
Environmental Credentials for Coconut Products (PDF 142KB)
Plant growing mediums from coconut palm harvest residues
This research note provides an overview of a series of trials examining the potential use of coconut palm harvesting residues as a growing medium for agricultural products. The trials were conducted by the University of Tasmania's Centre for Sustainable Architecture with Wood (CSAW) and were performed as part of an ACIAR-funded project for research and extension activities, which aim to develop means to sustainably use senile coconut palms for economic development in Fiji, Samoa and the Solomon Islands.
Plant growing mediums from coconut palm harvest residues (PDF 3.9MB)
Coconut Biochar
Biochar is a form of charcoal attracting worldwide interest for its potential to improve soil health, crop productivity and sequester carbon over the long term. However, questions remain about its use in agriculture due to variability of the final product, limited scientific research to-date and a lack of commercial adoption. This research note analyses the biochar by-product produced from the soft central core of the senile coconut stems.
Cocowood Properties
This research note gives an overview of the properties of the coconut wood produced from the coconut palm (Cocos nucifera) listing the physical, mechanical and chemical properties of the harvested coconut stem.
Cocowood Properties (PDF 120.5KB)
Why try and peel coconut stems?
This research note examines the benefits of peeling small coconut palms rather than the more traditional method of sawing. It also discusses the methods used to peel the stems and the resulting product recovery.
Why try and peel coconut stems? (PDF 303.8KB)
Coconut Biochar: Taveuni field trial
Biochar is a charcoal compound with the potential to improve soil health, crop productivity and sequester carbon over the long term. This research note discusses the results of a field trial on Taveuni, Fiji examining the potential of biochar produced from cocowood to alleviate soil health problems.
Coconut biochar: Taveuni field trial (PDF 137.5KB)
Plant growing mediums from coconut palm harvest residues
This research note provides an overview of a series of trials examining the potential uses of coconut palm harvesting residues as a growing medium for agricultural products.
Plant growing mediums from coconut palm harvest residues (PDF 126KB)