Can Coconut Fibre Help Capture CO₂? What a 2026 Indonesian Prototype Found

Carbon capture is usually associated with large industrial plants, chemical solvents and expensive infrastructure. A 2026 Indonesian study explored a smaller experimental route: combining water mist with coconut fibre as a renewable adsorption medium.

1. How the hybrid prototype worked

The researchers built a four-chamber prototype. Mist-generation modules increased gas–liquid contact for CO₂ absorption, while coconut fibre packing was used to adsorb residual CO₂. Six operating modes were tested at two gas-flow velocities, with real-time CO₂ monitoring.

2. The strongest configuration reached 65.9%

Baseline capture efficiency was reported at roughly 14%–19%. The hybrid configuration combining six mist modules with coconut fibre reached a maximum capture efficiency of 65.9% under the tested laboratory conditions.

3. Coconut fibre was one part of a combined mechanism

The result should not be described as “coconut fibre captures 65.9% of CO₂” on its own. The highest value came from the hybrid absorption–adsorption system. Mist improved gas–liquid contact and the coconut fibre acted as an additional adsorption medium.

4. Why the Indonesian research angle matters

The authors are affiliated with Universitas Siliwangi in Tasikmalaya and Universitas Papua in Manokwari. For Indonesia’s coconut sector, this demonstrates local research capability exploring coconut fibre beyond established markets such as rope, bristle, geotextiles and growing media.

5. The commercial questions are still substantial

Any future deployment would need to address energy efficiency, regeneration or replacement of the fibre medium, moisture handling, pressure drop, capture capacity over time, equipment durability, treatment of captured carbon, operating cost and comparison with established capture technologies.

6. Why this remains worth watching

Low-cost renewable packing materials could be relevant to decentralized environmental equipment if system efficiency and energy demand improve. Coconut fibre has advantages as an abundant lignocellulosic material, but the business case will depend on engineered system performance—not simply feedstock price.

7. A new direction for coconut-fibre value addition

The broader signal is important for CTN: the same fibre family that serves erosion control, rope and industrial products is also entering adsorption, filtration and climate-technology research. These emerging uses can help Indonesian suppliers understand where future specifications and buyer categories may develop.