About Cork

Cork is a material obtained from the bark of a tree, the Cork Oak (Quercus suber L.), or more exactly from the outside layer of the trunk of the trees, from which is periodically removed without harming the tree, usually every 9–12 years (depending on the culture region), to assure the cork layer reached the minimum required thickness. The cork oak must be about 20–25 years old before its bark, called “virgin cork,” is removed for the first time; a second extraction of the cork is called “secundeira” (The many uses of cork). Only cork obtained from the third stripping, called “amadia” is suitable for manufacturing stoppers (Cortiça); however, the first “amadia” cork is still very porous and irregular. In the same tree, the quality improves over time.

Naturally growing in northwest Africa and southwest Europe, cork is a heavy-duty, waterproof, fire retardant, flexible, and environmentally friendly material. It has very good insulating properties as well. Cork consists of suberin cells in the shape of tiny pentagonal or hexagonal honeycombs, a complex fatty acid filled with an air-like gas, which makes up 90% of its volume. It possesses an average density of around 200 kg/m3 and low thermal conductivity.