Cork

Cork is a unique natural material obtained by stripping the bark of the cork oak (Quercus suber), which grows mainly in Mediterranean regions such as Portugal, Spain, and Italy. Once the tree reaches a trunk circumference of over 70 cm, its bark can be harvested every 8–12 years without harming the tree, as the cork layer regenerates naturally. After harvesting, the bark is dried for at least six months, then boiled to remove impurities, dried again, sorted by quality, disinfected, and cut into precise strips. Cork’s structure consists of up to 40 million cells per cubic centimetre, filled with air and surrounded by cell walls made of cellulose, suberin, waxes, and lignin. This composition gives cork its exceptional properties: impermeability to liquids and gases, low density, elasticity, resistance to moisture, compressibility, and thermal insulation. In the textile industry, cork is used for fashion accessories, bags, wallets, interior decorations, footwear, and linings. It is valued for being eco-friendly, hypoallergenic, water-resistant, and highly durable. Cork is a sustainable, biodegradable material with a low environmental impact and is increasingly preferred in modern textile design and production.