With all the recent focus on sustainability and climate change, we thought it would be an excellent time to remind everyone of some reasons to use natural cork in your packaging.
For a little refresher, cork is 100% sustainable and comes from the cork oak tree (Quercus suber). The bark is carefully harvested without damaging the tree. After the harvest, the tree will regrow the bark and continue to be a vital component of our eco-system, removing carbon dioxide and expelling oxygen.
So beyond the obvious, why should you be using cork in your packaging?
1. Cork is flexible.
Since cork is a plant-based material, it has some unique cellular characteristics that a synthetic polymer just can't replicate. One of these characteristics is its natural flexibility.
The cellular membranes that make up the cork material have a bit of space to flex and change. Despite having this elasticity, they also have memory. The memory encourages them to be as close to their original shape as possible, thus ensuring a secure seal for your bottle.
If you are having a hard time wrapping your head around cellular memory, think about a person with curly hair. They can straighten their hair using a flat iron, but as soon as the hair gets wet, it reverts to its normal state, curly. It is a similar process with cork. When you push the stopper into the bottle, it will compress, but the stopper will expand again when you remove it from the bottle.
2. Cork is impermeable to gases and liquids.
Cork contains a special biopolymer (natural chemical) called suberin that is typically found in plant roots. When the bark is on the tree, the suberin acts as a protective layer preventing water loss from the tree and protecting it from diseases.
In packaging, the suberin continues to act as a protective layer, this time protecting the cork from absorbing liquids or gases. All this means you can use an all-natural product and not have to worry about a foreign substance tainting your product.
3. Cork is durable.
Have you ever wondered why if cork comes from a tree, you don't have to worry about it rotting? If so, here is the answer. The cellular structure of cork is a honeycomb pattern. This pattern is unusual in the wood world and provides for some equally unusual benefits.
In its natural state, cork does not rot, nor does it burn, and it won't even absorb dust. These features make it incredibly durable and valuable. During the age of exploration, many ship masts were made of cork since they did not have to worry about rot, even in the Mediterranean's humid conditions.
What does this mean for you? You can rest easy knowing that cork will not break down in your bottle.
There are many options for packaging, and more are continually being added to the market, but sometimes, new isn't always better. Cork has been used in packaging for centuries and has stood the test of time. Even now, in the 21st century, as we look to be sustainable, cork is still an excellent option.