01. Eco-friendly material cork

You must have encountered and heard of Cork a lot in your life!

But do you know where the cork comes from,

how it is processed,

and what are its characteristics?

 

Let's solve that question today!

 

 

The tree that makes cork

 

 

Cork is the thick layer of bark

between the outer and inner bark of a tree.

In fact, it is said that cork exists in any tree,

but we refer to the cork of the cork tree as a representative.

 

 

Map showing the highest levels of cork production

 

 

So, how much cork is there in the world we live in?

It is said that approximately 2,200,000 hectares of

cork forests are distributed worldwide.

 

Have you ever heard of a unit called hectare?

One hectare is 10,000 square meters.

So, isn't 2,200,000 hectares enormous?

Portugal and Spain are said to have the most cork forests.

Among them, the annual production of cork is about 200,000 tonnes,

and it is said to be produced overall in Portugal and Spain.

 

It is produced at 49.6% in Portugal,

30.5% in Spain,

5.8% in Morocco,

4.9% in Algeria,

3.5% in Tunisia,

3.1% in Italy

and 2.6% in France.

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you want to process so many cork trees,

 

you'll have to cut down quite a few trees.

Why is cork so eco-friendly?

It is said that making cork is an eco-friendly

and sustainable business because we don't cut wood for cork production.

 

When we make cork,

we simply use the bark that has been peeled off,

so it can be recycled and continuously grow.

 

Not only that, but cork is an eco-friendly material that is easy to recycle.

 

In addition, cork forests are said to prevent desertification

and serve as a home for endangered species.

Furthermore, according to a study by a scholar named Corticeira Amorim from Portugal,

plastics emit 10 times more greenhouse gases

and aluminum 26 times more greenhouse gases compared to producing cork.

 

In addition, according to a study by a scholar named Corticeira Amorim from Portugal,

plastics emit 10 times more greenhouse gases

and aluminum 26 times more greenhouse gases compared to producing cork.

 

As greenhouse gases increase every year, global warming is worsening.

As desertification gets worse and the number of endangered animals increases,

the world seems to be getting more and more depressing news...

 

But the existence of cork that helps us in our daily lives shines in itself!

It can be said that it is like a ray of hope in a barren environment.

 

Cork bark harvest

 

Let's also look at the aforementioned method of processing cork.

 

Cork trees can live up to 300 years,

and when the tree is about 25 years old,

it is said that the cork will fall off the trunk once every nine years on average.

 

Cork is harvested between the beginning of May and the end of August,

and it is said that only at this time the cork can be separated from the trunk without damaging the tree.

 

Is it really amazing?

It is a mystery of nature how the trunks of those hard trees come off little by little.

To separate the cork from the wooden posts,

the tree is split horizontally and vertically by axing.

 

At this time, the trees under the cork-forming layer must not be damaged,

so workers' very delicate and special work is required.

Because it is difficult for cars to enter the cork forest,

people carry them one by one and dry them in a nearby factory

or vacant lot before entering the hands of producers.

 

 

Wine stopper made of gentle corks

 

Also, where it is used depends on the quality of the cork.

When the cork is of very low quality, it is called ‘virgin’ cork.

This cork is used in the production of flooring,

shoe soles and other industrial products.

And high-quality corks are called ‘gentle’ corks,

which can be made into wine or champagne bottle caps.

 

 

 

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Recently, it seems that there is a lot of research on eco-friendly materials.

In some cases, eco-friendly materials are applied to cosmetics

to show a natural atmosphere that is harmless to the human body.

I hope that a world where the amount of waste is reduced

and the world becomes clearer by researching a lot of sustainable

and eco-friendly materials such as cork!

 

You worked hard today too :)