European diplomats were brought closer to the world of cork in a visit co-organised by Corticeira Amorim and the Hungarian Embassy in Portugal, which brought a group of diplomats from various EU Member States to the company’s headquarters, in Mozelos. The aim was to raise awareness of cork’s unique characteristics, technical properties and inherent sustainability, and also provide an immersive introduction to the cork industry, from cork stopper production to cork’s latest disruptive applications, in a journey that began in the forest and included a broad array of innovative solutions.
Luísa Amorim, Deputy Chair of Corticeira Amorim, hosted the visit, which included Heritage House and a tour of the industrial units in Mozelos. ‘It was a great honour to welcome this distinguished group and show them the extraordinary journey of cork - from the cork oak forest to its flagship product - cork stoppers - and its innovative applications in the worlds of architecture, design, the aerospace industry and beyond,’ commented Luísa Amorim. ‘The visit highlighted not only cork’s remarkable technical and sustainability properties, but also the profound socio-economic contributions of the cork industry. We remain committed to cultivating future collaborations, inspiring new Cork Ambassadors across Europe, and proudly promoting Portugal and this unrivalled ecosystem - the cork oak forest.’
‘The visit was undoubtedly extremely instructive and useful because it ‘initiated’ me into the world of cork,’ said Ludwig Blaurock, the Deputy Head of Mission at the German Embassy. ‘Corticeira Amorim’s pioneering work and leadership in research into the sustainable use of cork, and the potential for growing cork oak trees, has been remarkable, since there is an obvious double effect of improving sustainability by using cork as a material and by preserving and potentially expanding the habitats of cork oak forests.’
‘I treasured every moment of my visit to Corticeira Amorim, especially because I was unaware of cork’s multidimensional role in different industries. The visit gave me a valuable insight into the sensitive, long-term dimension of working with cork oak forests and also into the benefits of having an eco-industry of this kind, developed in Portugal and, climate permitting, in other parts of Europe.’ declared Daniela Gîtman, the Romanian Ambassador to Portugal.
During the visit, the participants had the opportunity to observe the unique combination of craftsmanship and innovation behind each cork stopper, and explore cork’s pioneering uses. The event also emphasised the cork industry’s socio-economic contributions, demonstrating Corticeira Amorim’s alignment with the global sustainable development goals that are central to the European Union’s agenda and its potential to deliver significant change.
