Productive process
The raw material we use comes entirely from Alentejo (Portugal), the first cork producer region in the world.
This primary material is first extracted from cork-oak between June and August. Then we process an analysis of chlorophenol followed by a 6 months stockpiling period on PVC pallets. In a second time, we fire it (to 100°C ) with purified water in order to sterilize it, and rise its flexibility and elasticity up. Another 2 weeks stockpiling period is necessary to flatten, stabilize and dry the corkboards. A high quality selection is operated to eliminate the boards that still contain defects and those which caliber stays imperfect. Subsequently we fire it to 130 °C for 15 minutes in order to eradicate any micro organism that could expand during the stabilization phase. This last stage permit the complete elimination of any organic matter, volatile chemical compounds and also meliorate the elasticity.
The base material used in the production process is called cork pellet. You get it with transformed cork and shavings from natural corkstoppers cutout. This allow an optimal rate of yield. Due to our environmental conscientiousness, 100% of the basic matter is utilized avoiding any losses.
Our cork stoppers are produced by individual moulding offering important vantages as granule homogeneity and perfect waterproofness for “1+1” type.
The result is a perfect compact uniformity matter sharing many strengths:
For application :
-Easy corking
-Optimal mechanical properties
-homogeneous density
For maturation (and wharehousing):
-Control of TCA (inferior to 2ng/L)
-Maximal waterproofness
For consumers :
-Simple cork extraction
-No material decomposition
-Excellent elasticity recuperation
During the refining phase, we wash the lots of cork stoppers using ozone (O3), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and citric acid (C6H8O7) in order to disinfect and deodorize them. Then we dry the product in a sterilized site by ultra-violet and ozone lamp to reduce its humidity percentage under 9%.
Afterward, we control again the quality rejecting any product with visual defects. After what, the cork stoppers are marked and we affix a surface treatment to smooth their superficial layer. We finally operate a last control of quality analyzing the following parameters: capillarity, necessary extraction force, surface treatment absorption and performance.
The products are packed in a dry and ventilated site with appropriated hydrothermal conditions in order to avoid any physical modification. The transport occurs in the same circumstances. We recommend our client to warehouse the merchandise in clean, dry, ventilated and odorless environment avoiding the proximity of treated wood.
Our production local never use chlorine products.
ISO 9001/ ICCSMP/ CIPR/ HACCP certification is the guaranty for a productive process in accordance with the current standards and legislation. The result is the highest quality product.
