Cork
Cork is mainly known for its use in wine stoppers . But cork is much more than that: it is a natural material that has multiple properties for making vegan leather goods .
How is cork harvested?
Cork comes from the bark of the cork oak , which is collected using a technique called "lifting". The first stripping of the bark from the tree does not take place before it is 25 years old.

Once harvested, the bark is stored outdoors for 6 months, in order to lose its humidity and the composition becomes more homogeneous (its cells will stabilize).
Then, the barks are cooked in water for an hour, and thus take the shape of a board. This step also increases its elasticity and eliminates impurities. The cork cooking water does not contain any treatment additives.
The bark harvest is done manually and leaves the tree intact . The operation can be repeated approximately every 10 years , giving the tree time to slowly regenerate its bark.
To do this , it stores CO2 and transforms it into cork through photosynthesis (1 kg of cork absorbs 50 kg of CO2). The cork oak is one of the species that absorbs the most CO2 .
Where does cork come from?
The leading cork producing country is Portugal , with its forests cork oak trees that constitute incredible natural ecosystems . The trees provide shelter for animals, conserve soil moisture and prevent soil erosion. Cork forests also form natural fire barriers.
The benefits of cork
The unique texture of cork and its soft touch make it an extraordinary natural material with many advantages, ideal for making vegan bags : it is biodegradable and obtained from renewable resources , waterproof, hypoallergenic, very light and resistant.
Cork cells have elastic memory, thanks to which it does not undergo any permanent deformation during shock or compression .
Today , cork is available in several colors, which allows you to create accessories . modern fashion and trends.
Cork is not intended to replace leather because it does not visually imitate it. Rather, it presents itself as an original and eco-responsible vegan material .