Xinova seeks the disclosure of inventions directed to new uses or treatments for waste matter from production of coconut water. These waste residues include skins, husks, shells and their components derived from young coconuts.
Young (typically green) coconuts are used for the production of coconut water. After obtaining the water, the green skin, moist white husk and shells remain as waste residues. At over 9M tonnes per year globally, the residues are a major environmental issue and a significantly under-exploited commercial opportunity.
Most of the residues of coconut water production are presently used for low-value products such as ground covering or mulch. White coir from the husks can be made into textiles, rope and fiber products – but these are also relatively low value applications and entail production processes that are slow, labor-intensive and polluting.
This RFI seeks new high-value uses of waste residues from coconut water production, and/or new discoveries of high-value components therein. It also seeks improved processes or equipment to provide better yields of valuable by-products. Ideally, inventions are retrofittable to current industry plants and practices. They should provide additional income to coconut water manufacturers and/or reduce waste treatment costs and environmental impact.