Chapter 07 · Materials & footprintsCircular Economy & Materials
Cork
Definition
Cork is the outer bark of the cork oak (Quercus suber), composed largely of suberin, which can be stripped every nine to twelve years without harming the tree. A tree must be at least 25 years old before first harvest, only the third harvest yields stopper-quality material, and a tree can remain productive for around 200 years. Western Mediterranean production is roughly 300,000 tonnes per year, with Portugal supplying about 60 per cent; cork oak landscapes are protected under the EU Habitats Directive.
References
harvest cycle, production volumes, Habitats Directive listing
suberin composition and harvest season
Overview
What it means
A rare example of a commercial material whose harvest directly sustains a biodiverse, carbon-storing ecosystem.
How it is used
Beyond stoppers, cork is used in insulation, flooring and composites; its sustainability case rests on renewability, recyclability and the ecosystem services of cork oak landscapes.
Why it matters
Cork links a global commodity to habitat conservation and rural livelihoods, illustrating how material demand can maintain — not degrade — ecosystems.