WHY CORK?
NON-SLIP GRIP
Thanks to its honeycomb structure, cork is very durable and provides a high level of friction, to prevent slippage – above and below the mat’s surface.
ULTRA SUSTAINABLE
100% recyclable, renewable, and biodegradable – no trees are cut down in the process of harvesting cork. Even waste is strategically used throughout the production process.
ANTIMICROBIAL + HYPOALLERGENIC
Cork is naturally resistant to dust and the growth of mites, making it an ideal material for people who suffer from allergies and asthma.
FLEXIBLE + RESILIENT
Due to the properties of its airtight cells, cork can be compressed to half of its thickness without losing any flexibility, and can easily return to its initial shape.
LIGHTWEIGHT
Because over 50% of cork’s volume is air, it’s so light that it actually floats. This makes for super lightweight yoga mats that are easy to bring anywhere!
NATURALLY FLAME RETARDANT
While traditional yoga mats contain PFRs to reduce flammability, cork naturally prevents the spread flames and does not release toxic gases through combustion.
RESISTANT TO MOISTURE
A waxy substance called Suberin is found in the cell walls of cork tissue. This makes cork impermeable to liquids and resistant to moisture, for a longer, stronger life.
HORMONE + CHEMICAL-FREE
An all-natural material, cork does not contain heavy metals or harsh hormone-disrupting chemicals like PVC, which can put your health at risk.
WHAT IS THE PROCESS OF RETRIEVING CORK?
• Although cork trees can live to be over 200 years old, they cannot be harvested for the first time until they reach 25-30 years in age and about 70 cm in circumference.
• While the “virgin” cork of a first harvest is almost always low quality, it can still be put to use for things like flooring and insulation.
• It typically takes a cork tree 3 or more harvests to begin producing the quality of cork necessary for wine stoppers – the industry’s biggest source of revenue.
• After each harvest, the bark regenerates and can be stripped every 9 years.
• Highly skilled workers use great precision to extract the bark by hand using a specialized axe, and is removed in large planks.
• Portugal’s carefully regulated cork industry protects the integrity of the environment while creating high-wage seasonal jobs for more than 10,000 workers annually.
• These planks are then stacked and stored to air for 6+ months. This allows the material to mature and stabilize before beginning the production process.
• While the “virgin” cork of a first harvest is almost always low quality, it can still be put to use for things like flooring and insulation.
• It typically takes a cork tree 3 or more harvests to begin producing the quality of cork necessary for wine stoppers – the industry’s biggest source of revenue.
• After each harvest, the bark regenerates and can be stripped every 9 years.
• Highly skilled workers use great precision to extract the bark by hand using a specialized axe, and is removed in large planks.
• Portugal’s carefully regulated cork industry protects the integrity of the environment while creating high-wage seasonal jobs for more than 10,000 workers annually.
• These planks are then stacked and stored to air for 6+ months. This allows the material to mature and stabilize before beginning the production process.
HOW DOES THE CORK TURN INTO OUR PRODUCTS?
• The production process starts with boiling the planks – both to clean and soften the cork.
• From there, the planks are manually graded and cut into manageable sizes.
• Many planks of cork are used to create wine stoppers, which can be machine-punched or punched by hand, for higher quality natural corks.
• Nothing goes to waste! The post-punching remains are ground up to create agglomerate cork for things like bulletin boards and construction materials. • The chemical components removed during processing are then used to create byproducts like tannin, hard wax, resinous gum, and phonic acids – which serve several purposes, from curing leather to making soap.
• In fact, even the cork powder that comes from the grinding process can be burned to help fuel the factory.
• From there, the planks are manually graded and cut into manageable sizes.
• Many planks of cork are used to create wine stoppers, which can be machine-punched or punched by hand, for higher quality natural corks.
• Nothing goes to waste! The post-punching remains are ground up to create agglomerate cork for things like bulletin boards and construction materials. • The chemical components removed during processing are then used to create byproducts like tannin, hard wax, resinous gum, and phonic acids – which serve several purposes, from curing leather to making soap.
• In fact, even the cork powder that comes from the grinding process can be burned to help fuel the factory.