Cork is such a perfect raw material that no industrial, laboratory or technological process has yet been able to emulate its characteristics.
More than 50% of the volume of cork is air, which means that it is very light, weighing just 0.16 grams per cubic centimetre, and can float.
Cork is the only solid which when compressed on one side, does not increase in volume on the other. In addition, it has an “elastic memory” which enables it to adapt to variations in temperature and pressure. This characteristic is due to the gaseous mixture between each cell, which allows it to be compressed to around half its thickness, and subsequently decompressed, returning to its original shape.
Thanks to the suberin and ceroids contained in the cell walls, cork is impermeable to liquids and gases. Its resistance to moisture enables it to age without deteriorating. Cork is one of the best type of stoppers available in the market.
Cork has low conductivity of heat, sound and vibration. This is because the gaseous components contained in cork are enclosed in small impermeable compartments, and isolated from each other.
Cork offers protection against allergies because it does not absorb dust, and therefore prevents the appearance of dust mites, and therefore the odour of its aromatic compounds is not intrusive.
Cork is very comfortable because its cells are formed from microscopic gas pads. This characteristic gives cork the ability to absorb shock and thereby relieve pressure on the foot, protecting joints and safeguarding the spine.
The slow combustibility of cork makes it a natural fire retardant. Cork is therefore a natural barrier against fires. Cork burns without a flame and does not emit toxic gases during its combustion.
Cork is a renewable, recyclable and reusable raw material.
As a natural product, cork is 100% biodegradable.
Cork dust may be used as biomass, as a source of neutral energy in terms of CO2 emissions.
Cork is very soft to the touch, with a very unique odour, that is not intrusive and is slightly sweet. With a normal temperature very close to that of the human body, cork emits a sense of comfort that is hard to replicate with any other material.