On 13 January, a collaboration agreement was signed at the headquarters of the Catalan Cork Institute (ICSuro), in Palafrugell, with the aim of exploring new applications of cork in the field of construction.

The Catalan Cork Institute is a private foundation made up of companies in the cork sector, the Forestry Consortium of Catalonia and the town councils of Palafrugell and Cassà de la Selva.

One of ICSuro’s main interests is the diversification of the sector’s business, currently very focused on the production of cork stoppers, exploring new uses in construction thanks to the insulating properties of the material. The long production cycle of cork suitable for corks means that cork extracted in previous phases, not suitable for this use, is intended to be revalued through alternative applications.

Currently, the entity identifies four main applications of cork in the construction sector:

• Cork panels for insulation with fireproof treatment
• Lime mortars with the addition of cork
• Sprayed cork for facades
• Flooring for playgrounds, as an alternative to rubber

The agreement with the ITeC establishes a framework for collaboration to develop these lines of work, which includes, among other actions, the possible incorporation of cork consignments into BEDEC, the preparation of a sectoral Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) and tasks of advice, evaluation and eventual certification of cork products.