A key concern throughout the more than Corticeira Amorim's 150-year history has been to achieve an impact on society in general and foster a balanced society through active long-term participation.
Alongside its leadership activity in the cork industry, Corticeira Amorim promotes its fundamental role in building resilient communities, with the fundamental objective of being an agent of change and value creation.
Corticeira Amorim's activity generates economic value for the communities in which it is present at an international, national, regional and local level, directly, indirectly and induced, namely as a major employer, investor, taxpayer and local business partner.
Corticeira Amorim has been developing a broad plan of actions that make cork available to society, in its most diverse forms, the know-how and technical expertise of the team, encouraging their knowledge and enabling the development of educational, research and arts aimed at its employees and families, as well as at the wider community.
But Corticeira Amorim's active role goes even further - having been responsible from 2008 to 2015 for the highest award ever awarded in the cork sector: the Research Prize on the «Valuing and Sustainability of Cork Oaks and Associated Biodiversity», reflecting a clear concern to promote correct management of cork oak forests.
Through multiple initiatives in the area of education, from curricular internships to protocols with academic institutions, from environmental education to patronage, the objective is to create a positive impact.
At the cultural level, Corticeira Amorim pursues its ambitious strategy to position cork at a prominent level in the world of architecture and design, promoting its use by major references in architecture, design and the arts and its presentation in the largest stages of world creativity.
The concern for social balance is one of the characteristics that accompany the Amorim Group's more than 150 years of activity – it was one of the first companies to provide workers with a cafeteria and a doctor, even in 1938. Social Responsibility gained another dimension, eventually extending to the community.
Currently, it is an active agent in interventions of a social, humanitarian and first-aid scope, through collaboration with institutions of social inclusion, shelter for minors at risk and support for the elderly, fire brigades, the Portuguese League Against Cancer, among others.
Corticeira Amorim is the main donor to the Albertina Ferreira de Amorim Foundation, which aims to promote solidarity and foster human appreciation in the ethical, religious, cultural and civilizational aspects. In addition to its social and cultural support aspect, this institution also intends to promote scientific research in the area of cork preparation and treatment, with the granting of prizes in this and other areas being even planned.
Corticeira Amorim has also been a partner, since its foundation, of the Bagos D'Ouro Association - an institution dedicated to supporting disadvantaged children and young people in the Douro, by monitoring their school career and creating opportunities for the development of life of success and founding partner of the Terras de Santa Maria Foundation, which, through the degree courses it offers, aims to create and reinforce skills capable of boosting the economic and social development of the country and, in particular, of the region of Entre Douro and Vouga, in which it is inserted.
Corticeira Amorim is the only player in the cork industry to have a leading, non-profit organization aimed at encouraging research and knowledge about wine, the Amorim Academy. Created in 1992, it financially supports research in oenology and innovative projects in the field of wine.
Innovation is at the heart of Corticeira Amorim's strategy, which aims to extend the concept of innovation to all BUs and improve areas such as portfolio diversification, process efficiency and quality and the circular economy.
Each business unit has its own Research, Development and Innovation (R&D+i) nucleus. However, there is an innovation structure across the entire Group, Amorim Cork Research and Amorim Cork Ventures, the latter a business incubator launched in 2014. Activity in this field is completed with the partial allocation of resources to joint-ventures (with specialist partners in the segment) to develop the full potential and profitability of some businesses.
Due to the investment it makes in R&D+i, Courtier Amorim disseminates knowledge and innovation throughout society directly (when the Company voluntarily gives access to knowledge and certain innovations) or indirectly, through the generation of positive externalities arising from its activity, which include innovation projects in partnership with universities and specialized companies, the purchase of products from local producers, the induction of innovation in supporting industries, the development of new applications for cork, the communication of the benefits of cork and the dissemination of good practices of circular economy.