Negative carbon footprint of Naturity corks proves to be an important ally in the decarbonization of the wine sector. 

PORTO, PORTUGAL (April 16, 2024): The environmental supremacy of natural cork stoppers produced by Amorim Cork is clear in the “Life Cycle Analysis" (LCA) prepared by PwC at the request of the world leader in wine stoppers. Analyzing three types of stoppers, the Naturity® cork stopper and two artificial seals (one made of aluminum and the other made of plastic), the study covers seven environmental indicators, was carried out in accordance with the guidelines of the ISO 14040 standard and subjected to a critical review by a committee of independent external experts.

Taking into account the changes that have been promoted in the cork stopper manufacturing process, it was considered relevant to update the quantification and comparison of the environmental impacts of natural cork stoppers versus the main aluminum and plastic closures on the market. 

The study now published analyzes the environmental impact of each of the three stoppers throughout their entire life cycle and demonstrates that the environmental benefit associated with Naturity® cork stoppers is significantly superior to artificial closures in five of the seven indicators analyzed.

Carried out with a rigorous methodological approach that considers the worst-case scenario for natural cork stoppers, the study presents particularly relevant conclusions at a time when both the wine industry and society in general are increasingly aware of the importance of choosing ecologically responsible products. The comparison recorded in this study reinforces the credentials of Amorim Cork's cork stoppers as the most sustainable option, especially in their contribution to mitigating climate change, as cork stoppers are the only ones that have a negative carbon footprint throughout their entire life cycle. 

For António Rios de Amorim, President and CEO of Amorim Cork, the study “consolidates, on the one hand, Amorim Cork's global leadership in the R&D area of the cork stopper segment and, on the other, cork's unbeatable environmental credentials. This study is the 15th Life Cycle Analysis developed by Amorim Cork for its products, which clearly reiterates our commitment to innovation and sustainability of the company and the sector.” 

António Rios de Amorim also highlights that “being a leader means continuing to improve and show the way in an industry that already has such a beneficial environmental and social impact, but without forgetting that everything must be based on the superior performance of the product,” highlighting that “they are also excellent news for the wine sector, which increasingly sees sustainability as a crucial competitive advantage for its future growth.” 

This study reiterates the commitment that Amorim Cork has made to providing the market with products that not only meet the quality and safety needs of wine producers, but that also contribute positively to the defense and protection of the environment, through continuous investment in innovation and technology to increase the performance of cork stoppers. 

With a rich history and a tradition dating back several centuries, cork stoppers continue to be the preferred choice for sealing wine bottles, highlighting their sustainable credentials that are not comparable to synthetic alternatives whose environmental impact continues to be unfavorable in relation to natural cork stoppers. 

ABOUT AMORIM CORK 

Amorim Cork is the largest cork processing group in the world. Founded in 1870, the company today has dozens of business units spread across five continents, exports numerous products to more than 100 countries and has a diversified network of 30 thousand customers. Basing its operations on strong sustainability credentials, and developing an activity with a positive impact on climate regulation, Amorim Cork offers a set of solutions, materials and articles for some of the most technological, disruptive and demanding activities on the globe, like aerospace, automotive, construction, sports, energy, interior design, and wine, sparkling and spirits industries. Currently under the leadership of the fourth generation of the family, which cultivates the values of equanimity, ambition, initiative, pride and attitude—the same as always during its more than 150 years of successful history. The company invests millions of euros annually in R&D, and recorded, in 2023, 986 million euros in sales, which includes the approximately 6 billion cork stoppers sold annually, representing 75.9% of consolidated sales.