Cork: one of the most sustainable materials
Cortiça – Quercus Suber – is the bark of the cork oak, one of the most sustainable materials. Whereas timber for construction, furniture and products requires the chopping down of trees, with cork, no trees are felled. A cork tree can live for 200 years. Cork is removed from the tree by ‘stripping’ the bark using axes, a process carried out every 9 years. To learn how cork is harvested, click here.
Once removed from the tree the cork bark is stacked in the open air for around 6 months. It is then used to make a range of products from flooring to components in space rockets. Click here to see cork flooring.
The cork industry is the backbone to Portugal’s rural way of life, supporting some 9,000 direct jobs and at least 6,500 indirect jobs. The local cork industry and agroforestry system encourages people to settle in local communities and thus halts the depopulation of these communities, encompassing the industries of livestock, beekeeping and production of aromatic and medicinal plants and mushrooms.
Hygienic and helps protect against allergies
Cork is formed of a unique cellular structure that doesn’t absorb dust, making it hygienic and hypoallergenic, reducing the risk to asthma sufferers.
Resistant to impact or friction
Cork is made of a honeycomb structure making it resistant to impact or friction. Comfortable to walk on, it is an ideal material for cork flooring, as it relieves strain on feet, joints, and back.
Fire retardant
A natural fire retardant, cork burns without a flame and does not emit toxic gases during combustion.
Good acoustic properties
Corks natural properties achieve a 53% reduction in sound, which makes it the ideal choice for cork flooring in properties with noisy neighbours.
Thermal comfort and potential energy savings
Cork retains heat due to its low thermal conductivity value, resulting in an optimal floor temperature throughout the year. This can help in reducing energy consumption and cost.
Moisture resistant and impermeable to liquids and gases
Cork is formed of gaseous components that enclose small moisture resistant compartments formed of suberin and ceroids. This means cork is practically impermeable to liquids and gases enabling to age without deteriorating.
Shock absorbing and bounces back from impacts
With its natural memory, cork bounces back from impacts. It is the only solid which, when compressed on one side, does not increase in volume on the other side.
As a result of its elasticity, cork is wear resistant and adapts to variations in temperature and pressure without suffering alterations, so its an ideal material for a range of applications.
Very light material
Over 50% of cork is air, which at 0.16 grams per cubic centimetre is a very light material, which is great for toys! Cork floats too, which is perfect for your child’s bath time!
Click here to see cork toys.
Cork
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