The company is committed to reducing its environmental footprint, applying circular production models, and promoting the development of innovative solutions that add value to cork resulting from the recycling and reuse of this natural material.
Cork comes from the bark of the cork oak (Quercus suber L.), a tree that does not need to be cut down for harvesting, making the process fully sustainable. The cyclical extraction allows the cork oak to regenerate its bark, making it a naturally renewable resource.
It can be reused in a variety of products while retaining its unique properties, such as lightness, elasticity, impermeability, and CO₂ retention capacity.
As the cork oaks and their associated vegetation grow and produce cork, they naturally absorb CO₂ from the atmosphere. Studies indicate that for each tonne of cork harvested, the cork oak forest can capture up to 73 tonnes of CO₂, significantly helping to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and, consequently, climate change.
Recycled cork can be transformed into high-value technical products for a range of industries, including automotive, aerospace, and construction. This is due to its high compressibility, excellent thermal and acoustic insulation, resistance to ageing, and remarkable anti-vibration properties, among other qualities.
Cork, which has been part of our tradition and identity for over 155 years, is a living resource that deserves to be preserved and, above all, valued. For Amorim, cork recycling goes beyond waste management – it is a commitment to the future.
Each recycled cork marks the beginning of a new cycle, extending the life of this unique and natural material while opening up countless possibilities in sectors such as construction, design, and technological innovation.
By valuing cork and encouraging its recycling, we also contribute to the preservation of the cork oak forest (montado), an ecosystem primarily composed of cork oaks, which plays a crucial role in mitigating climate change. As cork oaks and their associated vegetation grow and produce cork, they naturally absorb carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere. Studies indicate that for every tonne of cork produced, the cork oak forest can sequester up to 73 tonnes of CO₂, significantly helping to combat greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.
When everyone recognizes that giving cork a second, third, or even fourth life also helps protect the environment, strengthens the principles of the circular economy, and fosters sustainable innovation, we become agents of change.
