Cork

Cork is a natural, renewable material harvested from the bark of the cork oak (Quercus suber), native to the western Mediterranean region. The bark is removed from living trees in a sustainable process, allowing it to regrow and be harvested again after about nine to twelve years. The first harvest typically occurs when the tree is around 25 years old. Natural cork is produced directly from the bark, while cork can also be processed into agglomerated forms by grinding and binding cork granules, or expanded into cork composites through heat and binders.

Cork's structure, rich in suberin, makes it lightweight, buoyant, and an effective barrier to liquids and gases. It provides thermal and acoustic insulation, is elastic and compressible, and can rebound without significant damage. Cork is durable, inert, and biodegradable, and it can be recycled or reused in various applications.

The most familiar use is as wine bottle stoppers, valued for elasticity and sealing properties. Cork is also used in bulletin boards, flooring, insulation boards, gaskets, and a range of acoustical and packaging products. Product categories include natural cork, agglomerated cork (made from cork granules bound together), and expanded cork (cork composites produced from granules).

Cork oak landscapes are a key component of the montado ecosystems in the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa, supporting biodiversity and carbon storage. The cork industry sustains rural communities and promotes sustainable forest management, often under certification schemes. Portugal and Spain are the leading producers of cork.