The industrialised countries like the US, Australia, Japan and countries in Western Europe provide a good market for geotextiles. Geotextiles' consumption in these markets is estimated to be 800-1000 million square metres, of which the annual consumption in US alone is estimated at 550 million square metres.

The market for geotextiles is growing at the rate of around 5 per cent but coir geotextiles is yet to catch up in the global market. It accounts for less than 10 per cent of thenational erosion control market and 1 per cent of the total geotextile markets in the United States, according to a paper by an ITC marketing official Antony Sandana. Given the suitability for many geotextile applications coir has the potential to grow at the expense of synthetic fibres and grids.

The existing market itself provides a large scope for growth for coir geotextiles. Control of soil erosion is one of the most potential end-uses which has to be tapped.

The use of textiles in civil engineering covers a number of end-uses. Soil erosion is one area which is being confronted by the developed countries. Road construction is another where geotextiles are being used largely. Then there are roadsides and landscaping, reportedly a $12 billion market in Europe alone, besides desert control and a variety of agricultural uses.

The natural textiles are treated as luxury despite the fact that they are often cost-effective, the ITC expert's report said. Even in Australia, this is viewed as something tooexpensive to confront, the paper said. Canal banks are usually not reinforced and soil erosion is recognised as a major problem. There are other developed countries which have not started using geotextiles on a significant scale, the report said.

Coir geotextiles and its uses need to be exhibited at international seminars on soil conservation which will provide a foothold into the vast market, said the expert's paper. There are untouched markets like Korea, Saudi Arabia which are likely to spend more on prevention of soil erosion, said the expert. The use of natural geotextiles have to be pushed in these countries. Worldwide, there is limited knowledge of the role of geotextiles, let alone the competitive advantages of coir, the report said.

ITC will be arranging for samples and information to be sent in the current project to assist exporters in India and Sri Lanka.

The developing countries too, many of whom are coconut producers, would be using coir for the same purpose in the coming years. China islikely to be a major importer. The Asian and the South American market would grow on a large scale in a few years. Another huge market will come up in the African continent. All these markets are likely to provide an impetus for developing coir industries in these countries.