Sustainability Report strengthens Amorim’s green credentials

"In a year that was characterised by a global economic slowdown that placed financial constraints on many companies, Corticeira Amorim has strongly reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable development," said Corticeira Amorim chairman & CEO António Amorim.

"With the support of a wide range of stakeholders we have achieved most of the environmental objectives that we set for the year under review and
recorded some significant victories for the environment."

As with its previous sustainability reports, the latest edition explains the company's best practice in sustainable cork manufacturing, highlights the major sustainability results achieved during 2009 and outlines the initiatives implemented by Corticeira Amorim during the year.

Some of the initiatives explained in the 2009 Sustainability Report include:

• Combating global warming - The company recorded a massive 16 per cent reduction in CO₂ emissions from the cork manufacturing process in 2009. This follows substantial reductions over the previous two years. Corticeira Amorim continues to draw heavily on renewable energy with 60 per cent of its energy needs derived from biomass.
• Cork recycling - Corticeira Amorim recycled 662 tonnes of cork in 2009. Of this figure cork stoppers accounted for 92 tonnes (20 million stoppers). Through recycling programs implemented and supported by Corticeira Amorim this raw material is used in the manufacture of other value-added cork products. Through the Green Cork Program in Portugal, income from cork recycling is supporting the 'Create Forests, Conserve the Biodiversity' program that aims to plant 85,000 cork oak trees.
• FSC® forest management certification system - Corticeira Amorim is one of the major promoters of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®) forest management certification system. The company has led the way in this area since the certification of the first cork manufacturing facilities in 2007. In 2009 Corticeira Amorim implemented FSC® certification at Amorim France and at its Cork Stoppers Business Unit in Coruche. There are currently 11 CorticeiraAmorim business units holding FSC® chain of custody certification.
• Iberian Forest Trade Network - The Cork Stoppers and Cork Composites business units joined Amorim Floor & Wall Coverings as members of the WWF's Iberian Forest Trade Network in 2009. This strengthens Corticeira Amorim's commitment to this worldwide network of companies that promotes the responsible consumption of forest products and contributes to halting the degradation of the earth's forests.
• Business & Biodiversity Initiative - Within the scope of the European Business & Biodiversity initiative, Corticeira Amorim funded a free technical advisory service for forest landowners to support best practice in forest management. To date 25 cork oak plantations covering about 8000 hectares have taken advantage of this initiative.
• Innovation - Corticeira Amorim's commitment to innovation is highlighted by the application for three new patents in 2009 - taking to 17 the number of patents filed in the past three years.

The company also improved its employee training and education programs in 2009 and implemented activities under the Natural Choice Program that has
seen 1000 children participate in environmental education activities during the year.

For the second consecutive year, the publication of the Sustainability Report follows acknowledgement of Corticeira Amorim's environmental practices by The Drinks Business - the UK's most prestigious wine and beverage sector publication. Amorim received an 'Outstanding Contribution to Sustainability Award' at the recent Drinks Business Green Awards.