Cork Harvesting and Production: A Traditional Industry with a Modern Twist

The cork oak tree, native to Portugal, is the primary source of the world’s cork supply. Harvesting cork requires precision and years of experience, as any cut that’s too deep can damage or kill the trees, most of which are over 100 years old.

Harvesting and Processing

Cork oak forests in Portugal have been protected under law for over 800 years.
Harvesters must follow strict rules to keep trees in good health, including waiting until the trees are 25 years old and 70 cm in diameter.
The trees can only be stripped every 9 years, allowing the bark to grow back.
Workers use custom tools, such as small saws with sensors and clippers, to make harvesting faster and more efficient.
The harvested bark is then processed, including boiling and drying, to create cork products.

Amorim: A Family-Owned Business Leading the Industry

Amorim, a 150-year-old firm, is the world’s largest supplier of cork wine stoppers. The company has invested heavily in research and development, including a lab to screen and eliminate TCA, a chemical compound that can ruin wine.

Products and Innovations

Cork makes excellent wine stoppers due to its low porosity and ability to allow the right amount of oxygen to pass through.
Amorim produces a range of products, including natural whole punched stoppers, composite materials, and cork flooring.
The company has also developed new products, such as coasters, toys, and even aerospace materials.
Amorim recycles used cork, turning it into new products, and has been buying used cork from supermarkets since 2008.

Sustainability and Environmental Commitment

Amorim is committed to sustainability, with a focus on reforestation and reducing waste. The company has planted 300,000 trees since 2023 and plans to plant another 1.5 million in the next 5 years.

Conclusion

The cork industry, led by Amorim, is a traditional industry with a modern twist. With a focus on sustainability, innovation, and quality, the industry is well-positioned to continue to adapt and grow in the future.

Key Vocabulary

Term	Definition	Example Usage
Cork Oak Tree	A tree native to Portugal, primarily used for cork production.	The cork oak tree is the primary source of the world’s cork supply.
TCA	A chemical compound that can ruin wine.	Amorim has a lab to screen and eliminate TCA from their cork products.
Porosity	The ability of a material to allow substances to pass through it.	Cork makes excellent wine stoppers due to its low porosity.
Reforestation	The process of replanting trees in an area where they have been cut down.	Amorim has planted 300,000 trees since 2023 as part of their reforestation efforts.
Sustainability	The ability to maintain or support a process without depleting natural resources.	Amorim is committed to sustainability, with a focus on reducing waste and reforestation.
Composite Materials	Materials made from a combination of different substances.	Amorim produces a range of products, including composite materials.
Cork Flooring	A type of flooring made from cork.	Amorim produces cork flooring as one of their many products.
Aerospace Materials	Materials used in the production of aircraft and spacecraft.	Amorim has developed new products, including aerospace materials made from cork.

Watch The Video

How The World’s Largest Cork Company Makes 22 Million Wine Stoppers A Day | Big Business

Vocabulary Quiz

1. Which word means ‘the ability of a material to allow fluids or gases to pass through it’ in the context of cork?

A) Porosity
B) Precision
C) Sustainability
D) Efficiency

2. What is the primary reason for waiting until cork oak trees are 25 years old and 70 cm in diameter before harvesting?

A) To ensure the trees are tall enough
B) To allow the bark to grow back
C) To keep the trees in good health
D) To increase the cork yield

3. What is the name of the chemical compound that can ruin wine and is screened and eliminated by Amorim’s lab?

A) TCA
B) PHC
C) DCA
D) PCA

4. What is one of the innovative products developed by Amorim, aside from cork stoppers and flooring?

A) Aerospace materials
B) Wine bottles
C) Tree planters
D) Forest equipment

5. What is Amorim’s commitment to the environment, as mentioned in the text?

A) Reducing production costs
B) Increasing cork yield
C) Reforestation and reducing waste
D) Expanding to new markets

Answer Key:

1. A
2. C
3. A
4. A
5. C

Grammar Focus

Grammar Focus: The Use of the Present Perfect Continuous Tense

The present perfect continuous tense is used to describe an action that started in the past and continues up to the present moment. It is formed using the present tense of the auxiliary verb “have” + “been” + the present participle of the main verb (e.g., “has been investing” or “have been protected”). This tense is often used to show the duration of an action or to emphasize its connection to the present. For example, in the text, “The company has invested heavily in research and development” shows that the investment started in the past and has a connection to the company’s current situation. Another example from the text is “Cork oak forests in Portugal have been protected under law for over 800 years,” which highlights the duration of the protection.

Grammar Quiz:

Choose the correct form of the verb in parentheses to complete the sentence.

Amorim (invest, has invested, is investing, has been investing) in research and development for many years to improve its products.
Cork oak forests in Portugal (protect, are protected, have protected, have been protected) under law since the 13th century.
The company (plant, has planted, is planting, has been planting) trees as part of its reforestation program since 2023.
Workers (use, are using, have used, have been using) custom tools to harvest cork for decades to make the process more efficient.
Amorim (recycle, recycles, has recycled, has been recycling) used cork to produce new products, reducing waste and promoting sustainability.

Answer Key:

has been investing
have been protected
has planted
have been using
has been recycling