| Abstract |
Cork is a one-of-a-kind material that derives from the bark of cork trees. The trees that are used for commercial use can be found throughout southwestern Europe and northwestern Africa, covering quite a few countries. Harvesting is happening between nine and twelve years when the bark is peeled from the trees. They can live for more than 200 years, which means that each tree can usually be harvested as many as 15 times. In addition to their versatility, cork oaks have another remarkable feature: they serve as carbon sinks. After the tree's bark is harvested, the cork oak's carbon consumption is boosted by three to five times, making it an important ally in the fight against climate change. The tree absorbs more CO2 to fuel the energy required to grow back its lost bark. The cork material has a wide range of applications in various industries, including construction, agriculture, fashion, and transportation. Moreover, it has also made its way into cutting-edge fields like aerospace technology and even vaccine production. It is even used in NASA's space capsules for thermal protection. What sets cork apart is not only its periodic extraction from the same trees over a nine to twelve-year span, the fact that it acts as a carbon sink, but also that the residues after the production of cork products can be repurposed and given a new life, thanks to the application of circular economy principles. Cork is a natural, renewable, and recyclable material, which is highly versatile and also one of the most widely utilized forest resources on the planet that can help us fight climate change. The purpose of this report is to provide a comprehensive overview of the unique features and diverse applications of cork as a material, with a focus on its sustainable properties. The report aims to explore the technology of extraction, processing, and application of cork in various industries and highlight the benefits of using cork as a circular material. The report also seeks to raise awareness of cork oak trees' role as carbon sinks and their potential to help combat climate change. The methods used are deduction, induction, synthesis, analysis, and extrapolation. The conclusions drawn are based on the present analysis and are useful for everyone involved in the forest sector of cork extraction and processing, as well as for the general public of people who use cork products. |
