Coir industry is one of the major traditional industries in the state of Kerala. Kerala is the main hub of coir industry, for, there is an abundance of coconut trees in the state, contributes 61% of the total production in India. Coconut fibre, the main component in making different coir products is extracted from coconut husk. This is done after retting the husks in salt water and keeping them for further decaying in a mud mound for some months. In the next step, fibre is separated from the husks by pounding them with heavy objects.   Many villagers, especially women, residing near to the backwaters of Alappuzha and Kollam are traditionally engaged in coir making.

Coir industry emerged as an organised industry in Kerala during the middle of the 19^th century with the establishment of the first coir factory at Alappuzha. Numerous products such as coir yarn, rope, brooms, doormats, rugs, mats, mattresses, and upholstery are manufactured using raw and rough coir. Demand for the coir products is being increased as more and more people show interest in using environment-friendly products.