Amorim & Irmãos, Lda. consolidates its position in the cork stopper and disc sector, with the Santa Maria de Lamas and Abrantes units, and takes the lead both in the quantity and quality produced.
Corticeira Amorim records remarkable growth in the production of granulates and white agglomerates. It invests in innovative projects for the incorporation of these materials with the creation of a specific unit to produce parquet, another to produce decorative items and yet another for solutions which incorporate technical mixtures of cork with rubber (CorkRubber). In the Algarve, Corticeira Amorim Algarve, Lda. is responsible for the production of around 8% of the black agglomerates market.
The opening of Gerhard Schiesser GmbH, the first subsidiary, in Vienna, gives new impetus to relations with the countries of the former Soviet Union, enabling political restrictions at the time to be overcome.
Between 1966 and 1969 the acquisition and creation of various companies in Portugal and abroad takes place, some in countries banned during the Cold War. These include Inacor - Indústria Transformadora de Aglomerados de Cortiça, S.A., for the production of expanded cork agglomerates; Itexcork - Indústria de Transformação e Exportação de Cortiça, Lda. and the foundation of Corticeira Amorim Algarve, Lda., for the production of black cork agglomerates, used in thermal, acoustic and vibration insulation. With the new companies, Corticeira Amorim is able to broaden its verticalisation strategy and strengthen the objective to internationalise.
Corticeira Amorim is formed, an industrial unit for the production of cork granules and agglomerates. The goal is to transform 70% of the waste produced by Amorim & Irmãos, Lda., generated from the manufacture of cork stoppers, into granules and these into valuable pure compound agglomerates, from which it is possible to produce a set of new cork applications.
Observing the maxim «not just one market, not just one client, not just one currency, not just one product», Corticeira Amorim develops a strategy for the verticalisation of the business, with the goal of achieving world leadership in the production and export of cork products. In spite of the government policy at that time of restricting industry, and the resulting difficulties in obtaining licences for establishing companies, the company still managed to build industrial units for producing a variety of cork-based products.
At that time, Portugal consolidates its position as the world's largest cork producer (raw material). However, around 80% of the cork is exported raw and processed in other countries.