PRESENTATION

The Research & Development (R&D) department of CORTICEIRA AMORIM has been playing an important role, specially in the last few years. In fact, by predicting the trends the R&D department  strives to effectively meet the market demands in its pursuit of new application solutions for cork.
The recruitment  of new staff members to the Research & Development department and the achievement of results that are a distinctive mark of the products manufactured by CORTICEIRA AMORIM contribute to strengthen the company’s leadership position in Technological Development and are an evidence of CORTICEIRA AMORIM’s strategic commitment to innovation, a goal constantly aimed at.

Development of New Appications and Products in/with Cork (DNAPC)

This research group was established in 2004 with the strategic purpose of coming up with and developing new applications and new products for cork, in addition to those which are currently manufactured by the cork industry. Among those projects undertaken in 2006, the following should be singled out for attention:

• the conclusion of the absorption project: the studies carried out to date have revealed the potential of cork for use as a material to absorb different kinds of oils. In 2006, in a joint undertaking with the Composite Cork BU, a partner was identified and work began to develop functional packaging solutions. CORTICEIRA AMORIM applied for patent for this new cork application;
• the valuing of components extracted from cork: the activities undertaken in 2006 were intended both to optimise the extraction of components from the cork, and to proceed to their characterisation with a view to transforming them for higher added value applications;
• the activities associated with the European project STREP WaCheUp, due to finalise in May 2008: This involves eight European partners and aims to transform the residues (and by-products) of the cork and wood pulp industries into high added value chemical products, and, at the same time, develop ecological methods integrated into the cork/wood pulp production cycle in order to obtain the abovementioned products and study possible applications of components obtained in this way. Activities relating to this project will continue in 2007;
• the study of glues and adhesives obtained from cork: with this project it is intended to develop a more natural glue, obtained from the components extracted from cork, that may then be used in the cork industry itself. The activities relating to this project will continue in 2007.