CORK IN TECHNOLOGY, AEROSPACE AND MEDICINE

The cork is no longer just for making seals for bottles of fine wines and champagne.

The Modern life is living with cork everywhere, and the most recent examples are the saunas, and not only, because continues its development, and this time for the amazing fields of medicine and cosmetics.

So I'll share with you a true and funny story. One day, an artist and entrepreneur decided to make a challenge. Determined to launch a product that could surprise the market, combining technology and design, he drew a sauna lined with cork.

Cork sauna, the ultimate in technology and styleHe took the prototype for an Cork Company and, after several tests on cork boards for lining the sauna "The results were exceptional: the cork proved able to withstand high temperature while maintaining odorless and without any toxicity" and with two important economic benefits: the most competitive price and energy saving. The sauna reaches 80 degrees within 12 minutes than the competitor made ​​from wood.

After the testing period, the sauna made ​​of cork was already on the market and quickly has earned followers, especially abroad. "But innovation is not over: this artist is now developing a sauna made ​​of cork to outdoor environment, with incorporated tables, chairs and sun loungers, matching cork with other materials such as metal and wood, thereby creating a new kind of design and renovation.

Sauna covered cork

Medicine at the forefront of research

Innovations in the cork sector are amazing. The area most unexpected - so unexpected that "is still in very early development cycle" - is the medicine. 

In fact, the fine granulated cork is under investigation for its proven capabilities in medical terms. Expectations are high and are not limited in this area. - Also in the sector of cosmetics is possible that the fine granules will play an important role.

What no longer surprises anyone is using cork in aeronautics and aerospace. "NASA and ESA [European counterpart].

They are traditional Customers of cork products, for its large capacity in terms of soundproofing, but mainly in substitution of other heavier materials, where the count weight is very important, particularly because using cork, means less weight and less power consumption.

The cork piled in the sun

Cork tends to be increasingly present in the most important areas of our life.

That's what Siemens seeks: "This German company along with other companies are working on new methods of surface," with the intention of enhancing soundproofing and cut the weight of the compositions.

The same happens with the company Alstrom. But in this segment, the use of cork is not confined only to compositions of transport, but also the control of vibrations of the railway which will determine the difference between a pleasant trip and full of bumps. All this is done with the use of a mix of granulated cork and old tires. "

These are the areas in which the cork is to be investigated and used as an innovative material. 

The rest is known: buildings coated cork, modern furnishings designed with this natural material, kitchenware, lighting, fashion accessories such as bags, shoes, hats, belts, etc. are increasingly part of the day-to-day many consumers.

In a world where the cork is no longer just a way to seal wine bottles, although, this is a battle for life against the use of plastic and aluminum, the part of innovation and the products which result from it already assumes a important position in terms of exports.

What skill enchanting to reconcile the technology, design and research in the cork sector.

I have no doubt that this is a proof that Mother Nature always has the support and the right way, on how to live a healthy life.

We are interested in your opinion about the innovation of the cork sector.

Visit our product pages  and check out some of the great accessories and bags that are made of cork fabric.

Did you know that:

In 3000 BC, the cork was used in China, Egypt, Babylon and Persia for the manufacture of fishing tackle. In Italy, it was found remains dating from the fourth century BC, several artifacts such as buoys, stoppers for casks, shoes and roofing materials.

The Greek philosopher Theophrastus, in his treatises on botany, he says, amazed, "I admire the faculty that the trees have to renew its bark after being removed."

Even in the Roman Empire, 44 a. C, troops used the cork on their shields to protect themselves due to the strength and lightness of this wonderful natural product.