About APCOR

APCOR was created to promote and value cork as a raw material of excellence, as well as its products. We work to represent and promote the Portuguese cork industry worldwide. We are the driving force of an industry of future that is based on tradition, innovation and sustainability, and 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 brings new surprises every day

1956
Year of fundation

more than 200
Associated Companies

80 %
National Production

85 %

Cork exportations

APCOR is the business association for the cork sector that represents, promotes, disseminates 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

We invite you to walk through the years and know some of the most important milestones in 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 founding 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 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: United States, Australia, 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 participants.

1999

31 de março de 1999

Our name changes 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 (19951916 euros) 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 efforts of the Association and the Federations of Cork 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) is officially established through a protocol agreement between 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

Implementation of FILCORK

International Cork Trade Show at FIL, in Lisbon. Ramalho Eanes, President of the Republic, visits FILCORK.

1977

Another name change

A new name is adopted: Associação dos Industriais e Exportadores de Cortiça do Norte (Association of Cork Manufacturers and Exporters of the North), a name that highlights the desire to conquer new markets beyond borders.

1976

The Association, under the presidency of Américo Amorim

The first Advertising Commission was formed, an unprecedented and visionary initiative. Several foreign commissions, especially German and French, came to Portugal to learn about the sector. The first step towards promoting Portuguese cork and showing it to the world.

1975

After April 25th (and the end of the dictatorship)

The corporations are dissolved. The Guild has to change its statutes and become an association. The Associação dos Industriais de Cortiça do Norte (Northern Cork Industry Association) is created. Membership fees are now paid based on the number of workers.

1965

Comendador Henrique Amorim

offers a plot of land for the construction of the new headquarters of the Guild. With 580 contos (2900 euros), the new house is built.

1964

The INACOR

The Cork Agglomerate Industry received its license. This allowed the simple preparation and processing industry in the north of the country to use third-line waste to produce granulates, white and black agglomerates. In that year, construction began on the first Corticeira Amorim factory.

1956

Foundation of the Regional Guild of Cork Industries of the North

The Grémio Regional dos Industriais de Cortiça do Norte (Regional Guild of Cork Industries of the North) is founded. Each associated company contributed 15 escudos (seven cents) per month. The founding management committee was made up of Henrique Silva e Sousa (president), Joaquim Soares de Carvalho (secretary), Joaquim Dias Rodrigues Pereira and Joaquim Almeida Lima (members).

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
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

Vice-chairman
Sá&Irmão, S.A. | Manuel Sá Azevedo

Treasurer
Waldemar Fernandes da Silva, S.A. | Fátima Silva França

Vice-chairman
Dimas & Silva, Lda. | Nuno Manuel Coelho de Oliveira Alves

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

Vice-chairman
Granorte, Revestimentos de Cortiça, Lda. | José Francisco Marques Pedroso

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
M.A.Silva - Cortiças, S.A. | Miguel Rodrigues Cardozo

Vice-chairman
Corticeira Ataíde, Lda. | Maria João Ataíde Pereira

Vice-chairman
C.R. Cork, Unipessoal, Lda. | Rui José Soares de Almeida

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

Vice-chairman
Henri & Filhos, S.A. | Filipe Bourrassé