Portugal is the largest cork producer in the world, with more than 730,000 hectares of cork oak forests. A cork oak can become over 250 years old and produces about 700 kg of cork during its lifetime. The high-quality material is obtained by elaborate manual work from the cork oak.
The cork oak must be at least 25 years old. Only then can the bark be peeled for the first time. The bark is peeled off the trunk with an ax when harvesting the tree. The tree takes no damage. Between the crops are usually 9 years. During this time, the bark grows completely again.
In addition to cork pegs and cork slabs, cork producers in Portugal have been increasingly focusing on a wide variety of cork products in the fashion sector since 2010.
New fashion articles made of 100% natural material are constantly being developed and processed.