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).