More than a human choice, the cork oak forest existence was a choice of nature. With an area of approximately 2.2 million hectares, the cork oak forest is one of the richest ecosystems in the World, being considered one of the 36 biodiversity hotspots. Cork oak forests are an ecosystem with a delicate balance, subsisting only in the Mediterranean basin, under the Atlantic influence, as is the Portugal example. Its importance is fundamental for the protection of endangered species, such as the Iberian Lynx and still functioning as a key element in the fight against local desertification.
Cork is a 100% natural plant tissue, formed by hexagonal shaped cells agglomeration. These, inside, contain a gas identical to air, being coated with suberin and lignin.
The life cycle of cork, as a raw material, begins with its extraction from the cork bark, a process known as stripping.
The cork harvesting is an ancient process done by specialists, the descortiçadores, where the cork bark is removed without harming the tree.
Cork harvesting is done manually with traditional tools, minimizing the environmental impact and improving tree’s health.
As proof our methods work, not only cork forests are flourishing and the total farming area with cork oaks is expanding every year. To this end, MASILVA has a specialized team that monitors forests throughout the year.
Cork is processed in Portugal at the MASILVA 3 facilities, in Alter do Chão, in the heart of the Alentejo forest, where it grows, minimizing transport and the respective carbon footprint. The water used in the facilities for the sterilization and vaporization of cork planks is recycled and filtered. One of MASILVA’s fundamental responsibilities is to actively promote responsible forestry practices in entire southern region of Portugal, where the districts of Alentejo and Algarve offer an almost perfect combination of climate and soil to develop the growth of this noble raw material.
Ask for your GREEN CERTIFICATE and find out how much you are contributing to the protection of the forest by buying cork stoppers.