KOCHI: The exports of coconut and allied products have recorded an increase in the country but the activated carbon shipment has slipped 8% in the last fiscal year. Activated carbon, which is used in gold extraction and water purification, accounts for a major chunk of coconut products exports from the country.
The total exports registered 13.5% jump at Rs 1,312 crore in 2014-15. The activated carbon export of Rs 558 crore during the period is at value. Significantly, in volume, it plunged 44% to 54,345 tonne. The principal reason for the slump was the drop in coconut production.
Charcoal made from coconut shells are the main raw material for making activated carbon. “In addition to the paucity of raw material, the operation of an international company with branches in other coconut-producing countries like Indonesia, Thailand and Philippines has started affecting the domestic production. The company is able to reduce production cost by sourcing raw material from its other units,” said MM Abdul Basheer, managing director of Indo German Carbons.
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