About APCOR

APCOR was created to promote and value cork as a raw material of excellence, and its products. It work to represent and promote the Portuguese cork industry worldwide. It is the driving force of an industry of the future that is based on tradition, innovation and sustainability, and we will continue to stimulate the search for new applications, new processes and new products in a sector that is proud to be a world leader, and that brings new surprises every day

1956
Year of fundation

230
Associated Companies

80 %
National Production

85 %

Cork exportations

APCOR is the business association for the cork sector that represents, promotes, divulges and carries out research in the Portuguese cork industry. It was created in 1956 and is based in Santa Maria de Lamas, in the council of Santa Maria da Feira, at the heart of the cork industry, around 30 kilometres from Porto, Portugal’s second largest city. Membership of the association is open to all companies operating in the fields of production, marketing or export of cork products.

APCOR’s quality policy is based on the satisfaction of its members, through meeting objectives, and the involvement and motivation of the operational team and strategic partners, in a spirit of innovation and continual improvement of the organization.

Mission
To promote and add value to cork, as a raw material of excellence, and the products made from it, establishing the conditions necessary for the development of its member companies.

Values
Excellence in exceeding expectations, through rigour, efficiency, enthusiasm, and innovation; Cooperation and independence, encouraging the search for active participation of its members on behalf of the interests and development of the cork industry.

Our history

2023

Export and Internalization Award

APCOR received the export and internationalization award from Jornal de Negócios

2018

Cork Welcome Center opening

APCOR opens the Cork Welcome Center – a new information space about cork, cork oak forest, cork industry and it’s products.

2017

Launch of InterCork III

with an investment of 7.8 million euros for the international promotion of cork. The Cork Experience Tour was created, a project that promotes cork to domestic and foreign tourists, attracting visitors to the sector.

2016

APCOR

completed 60 years existence at the service of the cork sector. The book “Cork. Communication Around The World” was published.

2014

APCOR

creates the University/Cork Industry Roadshow to bring the academic world and industry together, promoting the science and the transfer of knowledge that is essential for the industry.

2013

Launch of InterCork II

with an investment of 7.3 million euros for the international promotion of cork.

2010

InterCork Programme

The InterCork Programme invests 21 million euros on promoting cork internationally. To date, this is the biggest investment in communication to promote wine bottle stoppers and construction materials.

2009

APCOR receives the title of Honorary Member of the Order of Entrepreneurial Merit

APCOR receives the title of Honorary Member of the Order of Entrepreneurial Merit, in the Industrial category, awarded by the President of the Republic, Cavaco Silva. The website of the President of the Republic states: “APCOR is the legitimate representative of the entire national cork industry, and has led the way in improving the conditions of technical development and research in the sector, making a decisive contribution to the of the “Centro Tecnológico da Cortiça” (Cork Technology Centre) and the creation of the “Centro de Formação Profissional da Indústria de Cortiça” (Centre for Professional Training in the Cork Industry).

2006

The modern new facilities of CINCORK

in Santa Maria de Lamas, are opened by the then Minister of Labour and Social Solidarity, José Vieira da Silva.

2005 to 2006

International Cork Campaign

Start of the International Cork Campaign (CIC II) targeted mainly at the US, Australian and UK markets. José Mourinho, famous Portuguese coach, endorses national cork in a unique communication campaign.

2004 to 2006

Construction Materials Industry programme

Implementation of the Construction Materials Industry programme, to develop and strengthen the image of the cork as a construction material.

2001 to 2003

International Cork Campaign

Implementation of the International Cork Campaign to promote and enhance cork in the main foreign markets: The United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, South Africa, Chile and Argentina. The campaign represents an investment of 9 million euros.

2000

1st World Cork Oak and Cork Congress0

The 1st World Cork Oak and Cork Congress is held, at the Centro Cultural in Belém, Lisbon, with around 1,100 national and international delegates.

1999

31 de março de 1999

The name is changed again, to its present name, the Associação Portuguesa da Cortiça (Portuguese Cork Association).

1994

The Association becomes national

The Association becomes national, and is renamed the Associação Nacional dos Industriais e Exportadores de Cortiça (National Association of Cork Industries and Exporters).

1987

The Cork Technology Centre (CTCOR) is founded

The Cork Technology Centre (CTCOR) is founded in Santa Maria de Lamas, with 400 thousand contos of EU funds. This is one of the great achievements of the Association, resulting in the geographical centre of cork being switched from France to Portugal, in terms of technology. It becomes the most advanced unit in the world in terms of cork industry research.

1987

The European Cork Confederation (C.E. Liège) is born

The European Cork Confederation (C.E. Liège) is born, the European body with the greatest influence on the sector, through the Association of Cork Federations of France, Italy, Spain, Catalonia, and the United Kingdom.

1987

CINCORK

The Centro de Formação Profissional da Indústria Cortiça (Centre for Professional Training in the Cork Industry)- CINCORK – begins its activities at a rented factory in Paços de Brandão – still without the official signing of the agreement with the IEFP (Instituto do Emprego e Formação Profissional – Institute for Employment and Professional Training).

1984

The Centro de Formação Profissional da Indústria Cortiça (Centre for Professional Training in the Cork Industry)- CINCORK

begins its activities at a rented factory in Paços de Brandão – still without the official signing of the agreement with the IEFP (Instituto do Emprego e Formação Profissional – Institute for Employment and Professional Training).

1982

Realização da FILCORK

Feira Internacional da Cortiça na FIL, em Lisboa. Ramalho Eanes, Presidente da República, visita a FILCORK.

1977

10 de novembro de 1977

Nova mudança de nome para Associação dos Industriais e Exportadores de Cortiça do Norte. Designação que evidencia a vontade de conquistar novos mercados além-fronteiras.

1976

A Associação, sob presidência de Américo Amorim

Forma a primeira Comissão de Publicidade, iniciativa inédita e visionária. Várias comissões estrangeiras, sobretudo alemãs e francesas, vêm a Portugal conhecer o setor. O primeiro passo para promover a cortiça portuguesa e mostrá-la ao mundo.

1975

Depois do 25 de abril

As corporações são extintas. O Grémio tem de alterar os estatutos e a transformar-se em associação. Nasce a Associação dos Industriais de Cortiça do Norte. As quotas passam a ser pagas mediante o número de trabalhadores.

1965

Comendador Henrique Amorim

oferece um terreno para a construção da nova sede do Grémio. Com 580 contos (2900 euros), constrói-se a nova casa.

1964

A INACOR

Indústria de Aglomerados de Cortiça recebia o alvará. Dessa forma, a indústria preparadora e transformadora simples do norte do país passava a poder aproveitar os desperdícios de terceira linha para a produção de granulados, aglomerados brancos e negros. Nesse ano, a primeira fábrica da Corticeira Amorim começava a ser construída.

1956

6 de dezembro de 1956

 É fundado o Grémio Regional dos Industriais de Cortiça do Norte. Cada empresa associada contribuía mensalmente com 15 escudos (sete cêntimos). A comissão diretiva instaladora era constituída por Henrique Silva e Sousa (presidente), Joaquim Soares de Carvalho (secretário), Joaquim Dias Rodrigues Pereira e Joaquim Almeida Lima (vogais).

Social Bodies

Board of Directors

Chairman
Amorim Florestal, S.A. (Paulo Américo Henriques de Oliveira)

Chairman of the Portuguese Cork Association – elected on 8th July 2021

Paulo Américo Henriques de Oliveira is graduated in economics (from Faculdade de Economia do Porto). 

He has developed his whole professional activity at the Corticeira Amorim Group since 1991. Until 2001, he held financial responsibilities in several companies of the universe of Corticeira Amorim.

On that year (2001) he accepted the role of CEO of the Cork Composite Business Unit, and until 2015 he cumulated the functions of Director in several companies of the universe AMORIM. 

He is currently CEO of the Unit Amorim Florestal,S.A.

Vice-chairman
Waldemar Fernandes da Silva, S.A.

Vice-chairman
Jorge Pinto de Sá, Lda. (Jorge Mendes Pinto de Sá)

Vice-chairman
Lafitte Cork Portugal, S.A. (José Manuel Nunes Pinto)

Vice-chairman
Amorim Cork Insulation, S.A. (Carlos Manuel de Oliveira e Silva)

Vice-chairman
3DC-Intelligent Nature, Lda. (Sara Matos Nunes)

Treasurer
A. Ferreira Pedro & Irmão, Lda. (Pedro António Borges Ferreira)

Vice-chairman
Dimas & Silva, Lda. (Joana Alves da Rocha e Silva)

Vice-chairman
Granorte, Revestimentos de Cortiça, Lda. (Eduardo Sousa )

Vice-chairman
JA Rolhas e Cápsulas, Lda. (Jorge Amaral)

General Assembly

Chairman
Amorim Cork, S.A. (José Manuel Ferreira Rios)

Vice-chairman
António Almeida Cortiças, S.A. (José Carlos Faria)

Secretary
António Norton de Melo, Lda. (Isabel Coelho Melo)

Financial Board

Chairman
Sá & Irmão, S.A. (Manuel Sá Azevedo)

Vice-chairman
Bernardino & Ferreira, S.A. ( Pedro José Pinto Machado)

Vice-chairman
Corticeira Ataíde, Lda. (Maria João Ataíde Pereira)

Vice-chairman
Manuel Domingos Apura & Filhos, Lda. (António G. Apura)

Vice-chairman
C.R. Cortiças, Lda. (Rui José Soares de Almeida)