UlStO - MATERIALS

CORK - THE VEGAN LEATHER

For some time now, cork has been developing into an absolute trend product. The renewable resource is used in fashion, accessories and residential industries, as well as for handicrafts, decorating and sports. It impresses with its unique appearance and velvety feel. As a natural substance, each cork product is unique and has an individual grain.

WHAT ARE THE PROPERTIES OF CORK?

Plant based

Sustainable

Hydrophobic

Stirdy

Fair

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WHERE DOES CORK COME FROM?

Cork is harvested from the bark of the cork trees, which grow in the mediterranean area in natural cork forests, the so-called Montados. There, the centuries-old forests form one of the most important ecosystems in the world. The cork forests offer protection for up to 200 different animal species and countless plant species and form the perfect habitat for endangered animal species such as the Iberian lynx or the imperial eagle.

HOW IS CORK LEATHER MADE?

The cork raw material is harvested 100% sustainably in the cork forests of southern Portugal. The cork oaks are 150 to 200 years old and are harvested up to 16 times in the course of their life by hand according to old tradition without damaging a tree. After peeling, the cork bark can be further processed into bottle corks, coasters or floor coverings. Cork fabric is made from the high-quality middle layer. For this purpose, the cork obtained is inseparably bonded to large slabs with a natural adhesive. These boards are then cut very thinly with sharp knives and applied to a carrier material. This elaborate process produces a robust & water-repellent material, which is also known as cork leather or vegan leather due to its properties.

ENVIRONMENTAL BALANCE SHEET

By harvesting the bark, a cork oak produces up to 4 times more cork and thus binds the climate-damaging carbon dioxide even more strongly. In this way, the mediterranean cork forests filter almost 15 million tons of the harmful substance out of the air every year. An unbeatable environmental balance of sustainable production by hand.

CORK LEATHER CARE INSTRUCTIONS

The so-called cork leather behaves just like animal leather. In comparison, it is dirt and water repellent due to the natural properties of cork and therefore requires very little care. It can be wiped with a damp cloth and is even suitable with a protective bag for a washing machine. The fabric, as well as the felt as a further component of our products, can be washed as usual.

NOT A NORMAL FELT

Our felt is anything but normal. It is made of 100% recycled plastic bottles and is therefore a sustainable and environmentally friendly material that does not contain animal origin. It is produced in Italy. When it comes to care, the felt behaves in the same way as the already familiar felt. The pilling can be removed with a fuzz razor without leaving any residue and the particles can be disposed in the plastic waste.