Sustainable development

Cork is a raw material 100% natural. Extracted from the cork-oak (Quercus Suber),it’s considerate a historic symbol of Portugal. It is extracted every 9 years without causing damages on the trees permitting the oak woodland continuance considered inestimable resource of Portuguese natural heritage.

 

The local people are aware that their future isn´t only depending on the cork exploitation. They take care to preserve oak woodland biodiversity, rivers and climatologic balance which is crucial for them to continue their activity. The cork-oak shares very specific faculties compared to the other kind of trees. Indeed, apart from its photosynthetic capacities (O2 production) , it is able to capture the CO2 (main cause of global warming) into its cells.

 

“The people who care about the future generations plant a oak-cork.”

 

Portugal is the most important exporter country of cork and derivative products. It represents  3% of all its exports or about 900 million Euros per year. Oak woodland management and cork exploitation is a primordial local source of income maintaining the level of employment in this sector. Furthermore, these farmers are developing always more activities as apiculture, agronomy, local tourism, eco-tourism or  agro-tourism.

 

Alentejo is still the greatest cork producer in terms of quantity and quality.

The very first time we can extract the cork from the tree occurs when it is at least 25 years old. This first extracted cork is called “Virgem “ (Virgin), the second one, 9 years later, “Secundeira”. The next ones are called “amadia”. We only use amadia for our cork stopper production because of its higher quality.

 

More than the half of the raw material extracted is used in the production of all types of cork stopper. This industry that depends on the wine activity permit the good development and sustainability of oak woodlands.

The growing demand of cork allows the local socio-economic activity to survive and also contributes to the great management and development of the woodlands.

 

Sustainability is the key for a better future. The technical cork is made with 100% of natural raw material. Innovations and evolutions in its production process permit an optimum rate of yield avoiding any losses. We have to care for the environment and preserve the planet for the future generation. Adopt Corkstoppers is acting for a better future.