Cocoboard is an innovative biocomposite panel developed by NaturLoop as a sustainable alternative to traditional wood fibre panels, such as MDF or chipboard. Its main feature is the use of fibres obtained from coconut husks, an abundant and undervalued agricultural by-product, which is transformed into a high-performance material thanks to the use of a natural tannin-based resin. The result is a product consisting of approximately 90% coconut fibres and 10% bio-based adhesive, offering good mechanical properties, workability similar to conventional panels and a very favourable ecological profile.
The production process begins with the collection and selection of coconut shells from tropical areas such as the Philippines. These waste products are cleaned and subjected to a qualitative analysis, with particular attention to the content of useful fibres and the level of moisture. This is followed by the extraction and preparation of the fibres, which are separated, dried and treated to obtain a uniform and stable raw material.
At the same time, NaturLoop prepares its own bio-based resin, formulated in-house from natural substances such as tannins. This adhesive is designed to ensure excellent adhesion to the fibres, providing mechanical strength and stability without the problems associated with synthetic glues containing formaldehyde.
The dried fibres are then mixed with the adhesive in controlled proportions, forming a homogeneous mass that is then distributed into moulds or paper mills. The crucial step is hot pressing, during which temperature and pressure fix the structure of the panel and activate the polymerisation of the adhesive. This process produces panels with uniform density that are compact and resistant. Once removed from the press, the panels undergo a surface finishing phase, such as smoothing and sanding, and can be further treated with paints, laminates or veneers to achieve aesthetic and functional qualities comparable to conventional materials.
At the end of the process, each panel undergoes rigorous quality controls. Only compliant products are packaged and distributed to customers, ready to be processed using traditional cutting, drilling or milling techniques.
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