Distinctive and timeless, cork is one of the world’s most versatile and sustainable materials. 100% natural and refreshingly uncomplicated, this material makes an endless array of cork products, from cork floors to yoga equipment.
We all know cork is a great raw material for many products, obtained from the bark of cork trees, but do you know how cork is made?
What is cork?
Cork is a natural plant tissue that comes from the bark of the cork oak tree. Cork is a natural, renewable, and recyclable raw material with absolutely unique and incomparable properties. It is such an extraordinary natural material that no industrial, laboratory, or technological process has yet been able to mimic its properties.
How Is Cork Harvested?
It is harvested by highly skilled professionals who carefully remove the bark from the cork oak tree by hand, using only an axe. It is carried out with no machinery involved and without any tree being felled or damaged during the process. The bark grows year after year and is harvested for the first time after 25 years. Each tree is harvested once every nine years throughout its lifetime, which is up to 200 years. A single cork oak may be harvested around 16 times. This means that cork is not only a natural material but is also renewable.
This 100% ecological product complies with all requirements for a protective and sustainable treatment of our environment. Cork is perfect given the constantly increasing demand for the preservation of natural resources.
What Are The Main Characteristics Of Cork?
Lightness — Cork is a very light raw material, in the cell structure of cork, each cubic centimeter contains between 30 and 42 million cells. The fact that the cork fabric contains 89.7% gaseous substances explains its very low density.
Elasticity — The great flexibility of the cell membrane makes the cork compressible and gives it the possibility to regain its original shape after compression.
Decay resistant — Cork is highly resistant to moisture, and therefore to subsequent oxidation and decay.
Low Conductivity —The poor conductivity in terms of thermal, acoustic, and vibration is based on the fact that gas is located in tiny, hermetically sealed cavities. As a result, cork is an excellent thermal, acoustic, and vibration insulator.
Biodegradable — Cork is a natural raw material that is 100% biodegradable, recyclable, and renewable.
Resistant to wear — Cork is remarkably resistant to wear caused by friction. It is also fire-resistant and does not absorb dust, making it perfect for people with allergies or asthma.
In summary, let’s not forget that cork is 100% natural, totally recyclable, decomposes naturally, and comes from a sustainable source without cutting a tree. So the story of cork is one of a completely sustainable product where every last bit is used productively and nothing gets wasted.
