27 January 2025
Rui Miguel Novais, professor and researcher at CICECO and the Department of Materials and Ceramics Engineering was interviewed by DW News, the public German channel Deutsche Welle, for a report on the role of Portuguese cork as a sustainable and versatile alternative. Beyond its traditional uses in bottle stoppers and insulation, researchers have been exploring new applications for this material, which is considered a model of sustainability and innovation.
Rui Miguel Novais highlighted advancements in developing cork-based construction materials: "By using cork instead of non-renewable synthetic materials, we can drastically reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions, which can be up to 20 times lower," the researcher stated. He also emphasized cork's exceptional thermal insulation and fire-resistant properties, which stem from its natural evolution to protect trees against forest fires.
The researcher advocated for cork as an efficient and recyclable material, suggesting it could address issues caused by current non-renewable materials: "Nature is the best guide for our future. We need to learn from its processes and rethink how we combine different materials to enhance recyclability," he said.
Although demand for cork is growing, the report highlighted significant challenges in production. Harvesting cork is a traditional and labor-intensive process that relies on skilled professionals and the long maturation cycle of cork trees, which can take up to 40 years. Workers like Carlos Ferreira, interviewed by DW News, expressed concern about the lack of younger generations interested in the profession.
Despite these challenges, Portuguese cork remains a valuable resource, attracting global attention for its wide range of applications, from bottle stoppers to materials used in space projects. As DW News highlighted, this material is a symbol of sustainability and innovation, proving that good things come to those who wait.
The video report is available here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8uabca-3c4
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Rui Miguel Novais
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