A key concern throughout 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 of the cork industry, Corticeira Amorim assumes a fundamental role by providing support for the challenges facing communities and promoting the construction of resilient communities, aiming above all to be an agent of change and value creation.
Cork production occurs essentially in the Mediterranean Basin, where Corticeira Amorim's operations are located (over 80% of jobs). The company benefits the local economy as a major employer, taxpayer and local business partner.
Corticeira Amorim is the only player in the cork industry that also runs a major non-profit organisation - Amorim Academy - which aims to encourage research and knowledge about wine. Created in 1992, it provides financial support for research in oenology and innovative projects in the field of wine.
Corticeira Amorim's active role in the field of research goes much further. From 2008 to 2015 it organised the biggest prize ever awarded in the cork sector: the Research Award for «Valorisation and Sustainability of the Cork Oak Tree and Associated Biodiversity», which reflected a clear concern to promote correct management of the cork oak forest. Today a set of measures and actions is underway in a structured long-term programme, entitled the Forestry Intervention Project, which aims to ensure the maintenance, preservation and enhancement of cork oak forests and consequently also ensure continuous production of high-quality cork.
In terms of knowledge, Corticeira Amorim also maintains a close relationship with the field of education, and over the years has developed various educational and training projects aimed at its employees and families, and also at the wider community. The company aims to create a positive impact through multiple initiatives in the field of education - from curricular internships to protocols with academic institutions, from environmental education to sponsorship. A key example is Porto de Futuro, Porto City Council’s educational project, where Corticeira Amorim has been a partner of the Leonardo Coimbra Schools Grouping since 2005.
Corticeira Amorim's Social Responsibility also involves collaborating with various national and international initiatives, providing materials, know-how and technical support for the development of educational, research and artistic projects, including collaboration with the following entities: Rhode Island School of Design (USA), Pratt Institute (USA), Elon University (USA), Copenhagen Contemporary (Denmark), Bonn Bundeskunsthalle Museum (Denmark), Domaine de Boisbuchet (France), Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation (Portugal) and the Centro Cultural de Belém (Portugal).
The concern for achieving social equilibrium is one of the characteristics that has accompanied the Amorim Group's 150 years of activity. It was one of the first companies to provide workers with a cafeteria and a physician, as early as 1938. In the 21st century, Social Responsibility has assumed a new dimension, and is extending to the entire community.
At present the company is an active agent in social, humanitarian and first aid initiatives, through collaboration with social inclusion institutions, which welcome children at risk and support the elderly, fire brigades, the Portuguese League Against Cancer, among others.
Corticeira Amorim is also the main sponsor of the Albertina Ferreira de Amorim Foundation, which aims to promote solidarity and promote appreciation of people in ethical, religious, cultural and civilisational terms. In addition to its social and cultural support, the foundation also proposes to promote scientific research in the field of cork preparation and processing, and awards prizes in this and other areas.
Corticeira Amorim has also been a partner, since its foundation, of the Bagos D'Ouro Association - an institution dedicated to supporting children and young people in need in the Douro region, by monitoring their school development and creating opportunities to develop successful life projects. It is also a founding partner of the Terras de Santa Maria Foundation which, through its BA Hons degree courses, proposes to create and reinforce skills that can boost the economic and social development of Portugal and, in particular, of the Entre Douro e Vouga region, where it is based.