How are Cork Products Made?
What is Cork?
Cork is composed of dead cells that accumulate on the outer surface of the cork oak tree (Quercus Suber) that mostly grows in southwest Europe and northwest Africa regions, being the majority here in Portugal (34% of the world cork forests)
How long has Cork been around?
This material has been used for quite some time, as it was found in cork bottle stoppers in Egyptian tombs dating thousands of years. The Ancient Greeks also used it to make fishing net floats, sandals, and bottle stoppers. Two thousand years ago, Romans widely used cork in a variety of ways, including life jackets for fishermen
Is the Cork tree harmed when it's harvested?
Harvesting Cork is an ancient method that can only be done by experts. This process doesn’t harm the tree, and is actually good for the trees. Stripping a cork oak of its bark enhances the ability to absorb carbon dioxide; the seven million acres of cork forest around the Mediterranean offset 20 million tons of CO2 each year