A BIT OF HISTORY
A unique product of nature — a symbol of freedom and honour.
The cork used to create CORKBRICK comes from Portugal and from the cork oak. The cork oak (Quercus suber) is a remarkable tree. It was, originally, recognised by the Greek as a symbol of freedom and honour and already at that time was cork used intensely – in homes and cellars, and for clothes and sandals. Excavations of Pompeii, e.g., revealed cork used as seal in wine amphoras.
In ancient Greece, according to records, only priests were allowed to cut the oak trees and in the XII century environmental laws were already passed in Portugal to protect the cork oak forests. In the XVII century, cork was first used by Pierre Perignon to bottle the famous Don Perignon Champagne. And from then on, cork was widely known and recognised for its amazing capabilities.
Cork is a natural product with characteristics that no other material, in nature or invented by man, can offer. Its light, highly resistant, fire retardant, elastic, comfortable, impermeable surface is truly incredible but it also offers sound and temperature isolation. Used in-door it brings nature inside, creating a healthy climate for humans.
Portugal has a long tradition of benefiting from the fantastic nature of cork. Today, Portugal has 33% of the global planted area and the use of cork in everything from wine to fashion has spread globally.
"The use of cork in products is sustainable. It has a minimal impact on the environment as the harvesting of cork does not harm the tree. In fact, no trees are cut down during the harvesting process. Only the bark is extracted, and a new layer of cork regrows, making it a renewable resource. Each cork tree typically live more than 250 years."
For the founders of CORKBRICK, cork was a natural choice. Not only because of its fantastic capabilities or the non-negotiable criteria of creating a sustainable business, but also because working with cork has been running in the Reynolds family for more eight generations.