Located in Melides, Grândola, Portugal, between the Atlantic Ocean and the Cork Oak forest.
Our passion at Cork Connections is to regenerate forests, manufacturing their Cork into great products while creating social and economic sustainability throughout the entire cork production process. From the seed until the final product.
We are specialized in crafting this natural material into different products for homes, businesses and more…
Our vision is to replace non-biodegradable packaging and utility products crafted from regenerative origin in certified forests.
Our Commitment to the Environment
At Cork Connections, environmental stewardship is central to our business model. From the lush forests to the hands of our customers. Collaborating closely with landowners, local artisans, and workers and dedicated to promoting regeneration.
The Alentejo Region, the heart of Portugal’s cork oak territory, faces significant challenges due to unsustainable forestry practices. Recognizing this, we are dedicated to enhancing the ecological health of these forests. We see the processes of growing cork forests and manufacturing of cork as interconnected parts that must all be sustainable
Sourcing with Integrity at Cork Connections
We are committed to sourcing raw materials from lands that resonate with our philosophy. Our aim is to foster connections that champion environmental, social, and economic sustainability throughout the entire cork production process. Thanks to local producers who share our values, we transform this sustainably-sourced material into high-quality Natural Cork Products.
Our daily operations encompass forest regeneration and cork manufacturing
To our cork suppliers we offer consultancy services focused on forest regeneration and long term sustainable management. We prioritize close relationships with forestry producers and foresters, fostering a culture of continuous learning and knowledge sharing. Our operations, centered on Cork Oak forests, are harmonized with the natural environment and culture and aim to enrich the land’s biodiversity and productivity for the long term.
Our Consultancy Service to cork producers tackles challenges with sustainable strategies
High Focus On:
- Comprehensive Forest Assessments
- Land Regeneration & Management Plans
- Assisting Natural Regeneration Approach
- Native Tree & Plant Species
Working locally, with sustainability goals
The cycle closes at our factory, with the manufacturing of natural cork-based products and handcrafts. We intend, among others, a gradual replacement of non-biodegradable packaging from polluting emitting industries, to products made from materials that are more environmentally friendly and have a regenerative origin.
We also provide direct sales of standard products to final consumers, as decorative and household items, forestry products (as bird nests, bat houses and beehives) and items for restaurants and hotels, also accepting orders for customized products.
The cycle of our cork
When closing the entire cycle of our Cork gives result to a negative carbon footprint.
This means that keeping cork forests alive and planting new ones, sequesters and stores much more carbon dioxide than emitted during the entire process of transportations and manufacturing. While producing more oxygen, water and climate regulation.
1076 HECTARES
AREA OF LAND BEING REFORESTED
180 TONS
AMOUNT OF CORK TRANSFORMED INTO INTO PRODUCTS WHICH SUBSTITUTE PLASTIC
The Seeds
Biodiversity – Seeds
Portugal’s rich forest biodiversity has sadly diminished in many areas due to human impact, compromising the natural functions and regeneration processes.
At Cork Connections, we’ve dedicated the past five years to research and development aimed at rejuvenating these landscapes. By seeding native trees and plant species directly onto the ground, we’ve seen remarkable success in initiating the natural regeneration process and restoring forest ecosystems.
In Collaboration with like-minded organizations, we are at the forefront of developing innovative forest regeneration techniques. Our most favored approach is the Assist the Natural Regeneration (ANR) method. This not only boosts the ecological functions of forests but also brings plenty of economic and social benefits.
