Cork is a natural raw material of plant origin with unique properties. It is derived from the cork oak bark.
The process of extracting the cork bark from the oak is called “descorche” or “saca”. The first extraction takes place when the tree is between 25 and 30 years old. Successive extractions are carried out every 9 years.
The extraction process is entirely manual, the only tool used is an axe. It is carried out by specialist professionals during the months of May to August.
The main properties of cork are lightness, elasticity, high manageability, impermeability, it is an excellent thermal and acoustic insulator, it is a natural detractor of fire, it has great resistance to friction, it is hypoallergenic and soft to the touch, it is not surprising that it is known as "vegan leather"
Traditionally, cork has been used in the wine and spirits industry as a stopper for glass containers. Recently, they are being replaced by plastic materials, although the most recognized brands continue to use natural cork.
Another widely developed use to date has been the manufacture of panels and their subsequent use for acoustic insulation, decorative purposes and as notice boards where the use of thumbtacks was indiscriminate, always maintaining its integrity. Appropriately granulated, it has been used in construction as a mortar lightener.
Nowadays, the use of this material has greatly diversified and is used in everyday items, such as shoe soles, textile accessories such as bags or umbrellas, coatings for writing accessories, notebooks, thermoses, etc.,…
At FirstGreen we have defined a collection of articles for merchandising, where cork plays a determining role: https://firstgreen.es/collections/corcho , taking advantage of the articles made with this material all its properties of durability, insulation, elegance, resistance and of course, that touch of natural quality that elevates it to highly sustainable, organic, renewable, biodegradable and 100% recyclable articles.
By using these articles we are aligning our company with the Sustainable Development Goals #SDG13 #SDG12 #SDG15
