Uncork or "take out of the cork"

The extraction of cork from the cork oak is called "cork removal", an activity that is carried out in the most active phase of cork growth, between mid-May and June until mid/end of August. At this time, workers called "corcheros" or "peelers" extract the bark of the cork oak by cutting with an ax and joining the vertical cracks of the cork.[1] Thus they remove what are called cork sheets, also called "the peel of the cork oak."

The cork can be extracted for the first time when the tree is between 30 and 60 years old,[2]​ but this data depends greatly on the quality of the season, since the parameter to measure is when the tree has a "chest height circumference" (CAP) greater than 60 cm on cork. This first cork is called "bornizo cork", a pattern or nativity cork, only valid for the production of decorative elements and thermoacoustic insulation, given the difficulty of separating the thin grayish external woody bark from the cork, which is why it cannot be used for agglomerates or for food use (such as, for example, in wine stoppers), since it does not meet the necessary quality.

Between nine and fourteen years later, depending on the area, the second uncorking occurs, from which a material called "secondary cork" is obtained, which has a regular, less hard structure but is not yet valid for the production of stoppers.

It is in the third harvest - when the tree is between 40 and 50 years old - and in the following ones, when it is possible to obtain the cork with the appropriate properties for the production of quality stoppers, since it has a much more regular structure with smooth sides and bases. It is the so-called “amadia” or “reproduction” cork. From this moment on, the cork oak will provide good quality cork every 9 to 14 years. From that moment on, its exploitation will last an average of 150 years, which is equivalent to about 14-15 bags of cork.

Cork uncorking is an ancient process that must be carried out by professionals and is carried out in 6 stages:

After uncorking, the cork sheets are stacked in the forest or in shipyards within the facilities of a factory. All boards are stacked following their own and very restrictive rules (defined by the International Code of Cork Practices - ICPR[3]​), so that the cork achieves optimal stabilization. According to the CIPR, the rest time of the plates should never be less than six months and after this period the cork enters the industrial chain.

Cork treatment

There are fundamentally two different processes for treating cork. The first of them is the one used to create the cork stopper for the bottles. In this process, the cork is boiled at 100 degrees Celsius for approximately one hour, then the cork is left to cure for a year. This cured cork is boiled a second time, cut into strips and drilled to create the stoppers.

In the second process, the poorer quality cork and the remains of good cork sheets are cleaned, crushed, agglutinated and pressed to obtain a cork agglomerate in very diverse presentations: granules, sheets, rolls, bars, or other geometric shapes. Its use is varied, from lower quality bottle caps to floor or ceiling tiles, as insulating material, as a sealing gasket, or in panels, whether acoustic, decorative or for playing notes.

One of the most widespread uses of cork is as a stopper for glass containers, especially bottles of wine, oil and alcoholic beverages. Originally, these stoppers were made only with natural cork; But although today they are produced with other materials, mainly plastics, they are still often referred to generically as corks.

Another frequent application of cork is the production of panels for acoustic or decorative purposes, which are sometimes placed on the walls, as billboards where notes, notices or other light objects are attached using thumbtacks. Like stoppers, these types of panels were originally made from natural cork; and although they are currently also produced with plastic or cellulose fibers, or other textile materials, they are still sometimes called "corks." It can also be put on floats thanks to its buoyancy.

It is also used as an insulator in construction, both in its version of agglomerated boards using phenolic glues, in compressed boards treated at high temperatures, and in granules for making lightweight mortars.

As well as a component in wind instruments as a closure to prevent the escape of wind in the keys and other areas. Currently, cork is found in a multitude of everyday products, from shoe soles, textile accessories such as bags or umbrellas, and home decoration products or games.

The cork oak forest is one of the most valuable ecosystems in terms of biodiversity in Europe,[4]​ housing some of the most emblematic and threatened animal species of Mediterranean ecosystems, such as the imperial eagle, the black stork or the Iberian lynx.

Stands out for its environmental benefits. The conservation of the cork oak forest reduces the risk of fires, since the cork oak is very resistant to fire thanks to the protection provided by the layer of cork that surrounds it and its rapid ability to sprout.[5]​ Likewise, it is a brake on desertification, thanks to the ability of cork oaks to retain the soil in their roots at the same time that their crowns stop the intensity of rain, reducing water runoff and preventing soil erosion. In this sense, the cork oak forest, like other forests, also has a relevant role in the water cycle since the organic matter in the soil slows down rainwater, mitigates its erosive effect and absorbs water, which constitutes a favorable factor for feeding the aquifers.

Its proper management also provides valuable environmental services such as protection against climate change. Given the long life of the material, CO remains deposited in cork products for a long time. It has been calculated that a cork stopper fixes twice its weight in CO. Therefore, it is an industry that helps contain climate change.

Cork is a natural, organic, renewable and biodegradable material and 100% recyclable.[6]​.

Uncork or "take out of the cork"

The extraction of cork from the cork oak is called "cork removal", an activity that is carried out in the most active phase of cork growth, between mid-May and June until mid/end of August. At this time, workers called "corcheros" or "peelers" extract the bark of the cork oak by cutting with an ax and joining the vertical cracks of the cork.[1] Thus they remove what are called cork sheets, also called "the peel of the cork oak."

The cork can be extracted for the first time when the tree is between 30 and 60 years old,[2]​ but this data depends greatly on the quality of the season, since the parameter to measure is when the tree has a "chest height circumference" (CAP) greater than 60 cm on cork. This first cork is called "bornizo cork", a pattern or nativity cork, only valid for the production of decorative elements and thermoacoustic insulation, given the difficulty of separating the thin grayish external woody bark from the cork, which is why it cannot be used for agglomerates or for food use (such as, for example, in wine stoppers), since it does not meet the necessary quality.

Between nine and fourteen years later, depending on the area, the second uncorking occurs, from which a material called "secondary cork" is obtained, which has a regular, less hard structure but is not yet valid for the production of stoppers.

It is in the third harvest - when the tree is between 40 and 50 years old - and in the following ones, when it is possible to obtain the cork with the appropriate properties for the production of quality stoppers, since it has a much more regular structure with smooth sides and bases. It is the so-called “amadia” or “reproduction” cork. From this moment on, the cork oak will provide good quality cork every 9 to 14 years. From that moment on, its exploitation will last an average of 150 years, which is equivalent to about 14-15 bags of cork.

Cork uncorking is an ancient process that must be carried out by professionals and is carried out in 6 stages:

After uncorking, the cork sheets are stacked in the forest or in shipyards within the facilities of a factory. All boards are stacked following their own and very restrictive rules (defined by the International Code of Cork Practices - ICPR[3]​), so that the cork achieves optimal stabilization. According to the CIPR, the rest time of the plates should never be less than six months and after this period the cork enters the industrial chain.

Cork treatment

There are fundamentally two different processes for treating cork. The first of them is the one used to create the cork stopper for the bottles. In this process, the cork is boiled at 100 degrees Celsius for approximately one hour, then the cork is left to cure for a year. This cured cork is boiled a second time, cut into strips and drilled to create the stoppers.

In the second process, the poorer quality cork and the remains of good cork sheets are cleaned, crushed, agglutinated and pressed to obtain a cork agglomerate in very diverse presentations: granules, sheets, rolls, bars, or other geometric shapes. Its use is varied, from lower quality bottle caps to floor or ceiling tiles, as insulating material, as a sealing gasket, or in panels, whether acoustic, decorative or for playing notes.

One of the most widespread uses of cork is as a stopper for glass containers, especially bottles of wine, oil and alcoholic beverages. Originally, these stoppers were made only with natural cork; But although today they are produced with other materials, mainly plastics, they are still often referred to generically as corks.

Another frequent application of cork is the production of panels for acoustic or decorative purposes, which are sometimes placed on the walls, as billboards where notes, notices or other light objects are attached using thumbtacks. Like stoppers, these types of panels were originally made from natural cork; and although they are currently also produced with plastic or cellulose fibers, or other textile materials, they are still sometimes called "corks." It can also be put on floats thanks to its buoyancy.

It is also used as an insulator in construction, both in its version of agglomerated boards using phenolic glues, in compressed boards treated at high temperatures, and in granules for making lightweight mortars.

As well as a component in wind instruments as a closure to prevent the escape of wind in the keys and other areas. Currently, cork is found in a multitude of everyday products, from shoe soles, textile accessories such as bags or umbrellas, and home decoration products or games.

The cork oak forest is one of the most valuable ecosystems in terms of biodiversity in Europe,[4]​ housing some of the most emblematic and threatened animal species of Mediterranean ecosystems, such as the imperial eagle, the black stork or the Iberian lynx.

Stands out for its environmental benefits. The conservation of the cork oak forest reduces the risk of fires, since the cork oak is very resistant to fire thanks to the protection provided by the layer of cork that surrounds it and its rapid ability to sprout.[5]​ Likewise, it is a brake on desertification, thanks to the ability of cork oaks to retain the soil in their roots at the same time that their crowns stop the intensity of rain, reducing water runoff and preventing soil erosion. In this sense, the cork oak forest, like other forests, also has a relevant role in the water cycle since the organic matter in the soil slows down rainwater, mitigates its erosive effect and absorbs water, which constitutes a favorable factor for feeding the aquifers.

Its proper management also provides valuable environmental services such as protection against climate change. Given the long life of the material, CO remains deposited in cork products for a long time. It has been calculated that a cork stopper fixes twice its weight in CO. Therefore, it is an industry that helps contain climate change.

Cork is a natural, organic, renewable and biodegradable material and 100% recyclable.[6]​.