Our news stories this year have explored the many ways cork is being used and reimagined – from innovative applications and sustainable design to developments across architecture, interiors and industry.

Here, we look back at the six stories that have proved most popular so far this year, offering a snapshot of the subjects, projects and ideas that have generated the greatest interest.

1. Revolutionary cork upholstery material unveiled at Expo Osaka

2. Creative cork furniture designs – part 1 of 2

3. What type of flooring was specified for the world’s first octagonal residential skyscraper?

4. Creative cork furniture designs – part 2 of 2

5. Welcome to Bristol

6. Why Springboks of the future will scrum down on cork

#CorkIndustry #SustainableMaterials #MostReadStories

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Today, Granorte is one of the world’s most innovative cork product manufacturers – producing everything you can imagine from flooring, wall finishes, award-winning furniture, lighting, interior accessories, sanitary ware, acoustic, and insulation, as well as bespoke products.

Exporting 97% to more than 40 countries

Any colour you want…

3D cork for improved acoustics…

Modern designs…

Bespoke furniture…

Product of the Year 2026 – UK MIX Interiors Awards…

Winning Product of the Year, the NuSpa cork bath challenges conventional design by transforming recycled cork into a sculptural, high-performance bath.

Made using advanced robotic CNC technology, it offers exceptional comfort and thermal performance with timeless aesthetics to give new purpose to one of nature’s most sustainable materials.

With thanks to Mix Interiors.

For further information:

Granorte UK Ltd
18 Cedar Court
Halesfield 17
Telford
Shropshire TF7 4PF

Tel: +44 (0)1952 443555

Info@granorte.co.uk

granorte.co.uk

#granorte #granorteuk #cork #sustainablematerials

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Part of a series on the use of Cork for acoustics.

Most people prefer a restaurant that is ‘buzzy and fun’ to one that is empty or where you can hear ‘a pin drop’. But they would also agree that in many pubs and restaurants, the ambient sound is so loud that having a conversation is often difficult.

“British restaurants are getting louder – not just frightfully loud, we’re talking the same decibels as a lawnmower.”

According to restaurant critic William Sitwell, “the noisy restaurant phenomenon is out of control”. “Research shows,” he says, “British restaurants are getting louder – not just frightfully loud, we’re talking the same decibels as a lawnmower…”

In Australia too, Professor David McAlpine, Director of Hearing Research at Macquarie University, says, “The amount of reflected sound energy is enormous … to the point where it’s impossible to have a conversation with someone half a metre away from you”. “In many restaurants,” he continues, “people shout across the table, making the situation even worse.”

Credit: Alexander Faé on Unsplash

What is the reason for this?

The reason is firstly because modern restaurant architectural styles favour large glass windows, bare walls and concrete floors – all of which have terrible acoustics and frequently echo or even reflect and enhance sound.

Secondly, since acoustics are invisible, considerations of likely ambient noise are largely overlooked or even completely ignored.

When carpets and soft furnishings were the norm, problems with ambient noise did not occur so frequently because of the inherent acoustic properties of these materials. In today’s architecture, commercial priorities frequently outweigh other considerations such as customer comfort and many restaurant chains aim to push people through as fast as possible.

Why cork is a great material for solving acoustic problems

Credit: Amorim Cork Solutions

Take a look at cork’s unique cellular structure. This is the key to its impressive sound-absorbing properties.  Each cubic centimetre of cork contains an average of 40 million tiny air sealed cells. When sound energy passes through cork, the energy is converted to vibrational energy by the air molecules. Cork is thus able to trap an immense amount of energy which is why it is an excellent absorber of sound.

Credit: Portuguese Treasures

Each tiny, air-filled cell acts as a mini sound barrier, dispersing and absorbing sound waves rather than allowing them to bounce back. Just 3mm of the cork material blocks 10 decibels of sound. That is the equivalent to turning the volume down from a lively conversation to a whisper.

The science behind cork’s sound absorption

To fully appreciate the sound-absorbing prowess of cork let’s look at some of its technical properties:

First there is its Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC): This measures how effectively a material absorbs sound, with a range from 0.00 to 1.00. Cork boasts an impressive NRC of 0.7, meaning it absorbs a remarkable 70% of sound waves that hit its surface. Compare this with Hardwood, Laminate, and Tiles for example. These common flooring choices have a decibel reduction rating of 0 dB.

Sound Transmission Class (STC): This rating indicates how well a material blocks airborne noise transmission. Cork’s STC performance varies depending on the thickness and the site of the installation, but is generally excellent at reducing the impact of footsteps, music, and other ambient noise.

Different types of cork acoustic panel products

Credit: Sound Pro Solutions

Unlike thin cork tiles used for decoration, these are panels engineered for acoustic use. That means they’re made from thicker denser cork which makes them highly effective at handling mid and high frequencies such as voices, phones ringing, and general restaurant room noise. 

They are often combined with materials like recycled felt, MDF, or fabric-wrapped finishes to enhance both functionality and visual appeal. They’re also increasingly used in hotels, open-plan offices, auditoriums, and buildings with high sustainability credentials.

Credit: Coverd

‘EcoSonix’ is a modular suspended ceiling system that offers advanced acoustic performance and high sound absorption from the Italian company Coverd.

Each hexagonal tile measures 138 cm from tip to tip and 120 cm from side to side, with a thickness that combines solidity, lightness, and sound-absorbing properties. 

The cork surface of each panel is treated to significantly reduce reverberation, improve speech clarity and sound comfort and finished in printed fabric or microfibre in a range of nature-inspired colours to blend with different types of architectural environments.

Credit: Coverd

The latest 3D acoustic Cork designs

Credit: Portuguese Treasures

Credit: Nyquista

Nyquista Acoustic Design utilises cork as a key sustainable, acoustic material in their interior design products, notably through their EcoWall by Nyquista 3D wall panels.

Nyquista’s EcoWall 3D Panels are crafted from agglomerated cork using advanced compression moulding technology, combining excellent acoustic insulation with unique, modern textures. The use of cork provides outstanding sound-dampening performance while also delivering a natural, attractive aesthetic.

Credit: Granorte

With thanks to

Amorim Cork Solutions – amorimcorksolutions.com
Portuguese Treasures – portuguesetreasures.com
Sound Pro Solutions – soundprosolutions.com
Coverd – coverd.it
Nyquista Acoustic Design – nyquista.pl
Granorte – granorte.co.uk

#CorkAcoustics #HospitalityDesign #SustainableInteriors

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Part of a series on the use of Cork for acoustics.

As designers and architects look for more sustainable ways to improve interior acoustics, cork is becoming an increasingly interesting material choice – natural, renewable and visually distinctive.

At the new Welcome Building in Bristol’s Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone, this is demonstrated beautifully in the main atrium, where Gencork’s ‘Corkwhirl’ wall coverings bring texture, warmth and acoustic performance to a contemporary workspace.

Credit: Darling Associates Architects

The Welcome Building is a ‘net-zero’ 292,000 sq. ft multi-occupier office development that opened in 2025 in Bristol’s Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone. Designed by Darling Associates Architects, the building is a short walk from Bristol Temple Meads station.

It offers a flexible high-quality working environment, contributes to the regeneration of the area and provides amenity spaces for both occupiers and the wider community.

Credit: Darling Associates Architects

Credit: Darling Associates Architects

Credit: Darling Associates Architects

The Bristol Temple Quarter regeneration project is still in progress but already, it is being hailed as a success.

The Enterprise Zone claims to have attracted significant business investment from creative, digital and green industries with almost 400 firms having moved into the area and to have already created more than 4000 jobs.

Improvements to local transport links and accessibility have helped connect Temple Quarter more closely with the wider city. Its focus on green infrastructure and energy-efficient construction is also strengthening Bristol’s reputation as a leading green city.

A close-up of ‘Corkwhirl’. Credit: Gencork 

A feature in the main atrium are the ‘Corkwhirl’ wall coverings from Gencork.

‘Corkwhirl’ is one of a range of Insulation Cork Board designs made by Gencork from 100% natural, recyclable, and sustainable expanded cork.  

This design is inspired by nature and influenced by the beauty of biology, mathematics, geometry and biomimetic systems where swirling vortexes introduce a variety of curves, each uniquely aligned. This interaction of form, motion, and texture transforms the space into a harmonious whole.

‘Corkwhirl’ is one of several eye catching designs of insulation cork wall tile coverings available in sizes: 100cm x 50cm x10cm thickness to give effective thermal insulation and immediate acoustic effects.

Gencork’s cork process, from raw material through to the finished natural block:

#CorkAcoustics #SustainableInteriors #BiophilicDesign

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Decorative cork forms

Matilda Goad & Co reinterpret traditional decorative forms through cork in this distinctive urn design. Crafted from recycled cork stoppers, the piece combines classical proportion with a natural, tactile surface that celebrates the material’s warmth and depth.

Lightweight yet durable, cork lends itself to sculptural objects that balance ornament with sustainability, reinforcing its place within both heritage-inspired and contemporary interiors.

Credit: Matilda Goad & Co

The urn is available in varying scales, emphasising adaptability across interior settings while retaining its architectural presence.

Credit: Matilda Goad & Co

The collection also extends into lighting. These cork-based table lamps combine turned cork forms with carefully detailed shades, demonstrating how the material can transition seamlessly from decorative object to functional interior piece while retaining warmth and character.

With thanks to Matilda Goad & Co.

Sculptural lighting

Credit: Lucie Koldova

‘Phyto’, designed by Lucie Koldova, explores cork through sculptural lighting. The piece reflects her continued interest in craftsmanship and material innovation, combining natural cork with refined glass to create a balanced and contemporary form.

The design demonstrates how cork can move beyond furniture into expressive lighting objects without compromising technical precision or aesthetic clarity.

With thanks to Lucie Koldova.

Circular design in practice

Credit: Amorim Cork Italia

Capinera, part of the Suber project by Amorim Cork Italia, was awarded Gold at the European Design Awards 2026 in the Next Futures – Circular Economy category.

Made from recycled cork stoppers – a natural, sustainable material celebrated for its lightness, resistance and versatility – the piece exemplifies how discarded material can be transformed into refined contemporary design.

Suber emerged from the Ethical Project, launched in 2011, which involves non-profit organisations across Italy in collecting used cork stoppers to give them a second life. The stoppers are processed into a fine powder and combined with natural resins to create Core – a new-generation composite material with distinctive technical and aesthetic properties.

Credit: Amorim Cork Italia

Credit: Amorim Cork Italia

More than a collection of tables, stools and interior objects, Suber represents a considered approach to circular design, where sustainability and contemporary form are closely aligned.

With thanks to Amorim Cork Italia.

Resilience in material

Credit: Made in Situ / Nuno Sousa Dias

The ‘Burnt Cork’ furniture collection presents a series of sculptural chairs, stools and tables formed from discarded burnt cork.

French designer and architect Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance collaborated with Made in Situ to develop the series, which takes shape as an ode to the resilience of material, people and process.

The burnt cork is transformed into custom gradient blocks before being carved into tactile and sculptural forms. Working between traditional handcraft and contemporary industrial processes, the collection reveals a dialogue between heritage technique and modern production.

Credit: Made in Situ / Nuno Sousa Dias

Each piece carries subtle traces of its origin, reinforcing cork’s resilience and its capacity for renewal.

With thanks to Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance, Made in Situ and Nuno Sousa Dias.

Reflective forms

Credit: Adorno

Astra explores balance and material contrast through the pairing of mirrored surfaces with cork spheres and coloured glass bases. The composition highlights cork’s natural texture against highly refined finishes, creating a dynamic interplay between weight and lightness.

Credit: Adorno

The design demonstrates how cork can operate within more experimental, gallery-oriented contexts while retaining its tactile presence and structural integrity.

With thanks to Adorno.

#CorkFurniture #CorkDesign #EcoArchitecture #MaterialInnovation

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Simplicity of design transformed into Cork

‘Cork Cross’ is made of 100% cork material – One piece. Two shapes. Endless possibilities.

Built from two identical interlocking cork modules, no screws, glue, or hardware required. Lightweight, solid, and intuitive to assemble.

Credit: Darius Gumbreviõius / Inga Valentiniené

Cork Cross shows how simple ideas can spark meaningful design innovation.

Two identical segments are stacked on top of each other, resulting in a piece of furniture that is easy to assemble and disassemble with a simple but expressive shape.

The Cork Cross table/chair is a collaboration between Lithuanian designer Sandra Kasperavičiené, the Vilnius Academy of Arts and the shopfitting, furniture & interior design specialist, Fitsout.

Credit: Darius Gumbreviõius / Inga Valentiniené

Design and architecture exhibitions around the world are presenting new materials and technologies that are sustainable and made from renewable sources to solve the challenge – what will happen after consumption? How to use the item again without compromising aesthetics?

The applicability of materials of natural origin to interior design objects is a topic explored by the designer at the Vilnius NEB Research Centre.

Credit: Darius Gumbreviõius / Inga Valentiniené

This striking piece was presented at the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale in the Lithuanian pavilion “Archi / Tree / tecture” (curator G. Balčytis).

With thanks to Fitsout for the prototype, and to their partners in Portugal, Amorim Cork Solutions for supplying the knowledge and cork materials.

“The subtle yet robust form and the combination of natural Portuguese cork and strawberry-red cushions is my personal visual statement.”

– Lucie Koldova.

Credit: Lucie Koldova

Lucie Koldova is a renowned Czech product and furniture designer based in Prague. She creates objects of desire using classic craftsmanship and cutting-edge technologies. Her visually striking furniture pieces, glass sculptures, and light designs have received numerous international awards. Pictured here is her ‘Corques’ lounge sofa.

Credit: Lucie Koldova

“A large-scale object to serve as the centrepiece of the interior. It was a fascinating experience to sculpt an object out of a soft textured material.”

– Lucie Koldova.

Credit: Lucie Koldova

The outer monolithic shape of the Corques lounge sofa is carved from a single bloc of pressed cork made from sustainable material leftovers in Portuguese bottle cork factories.

The cork material – supplied by Portuguese company Granorte – was finished with a special varnish for long-lasting resistance and to give a soft, pleasant touch.

The upholstered cushions are closely stretched to fit the textured shell.

“Cork is a completely natural and biodegradable material, which makes it very attractive to work with. Other benefits are its versatility and resistance to wear and tear.”

– Lucie Koldova.

Credit: Lucie Koldova

The design was inspired by the amazing properties of cork and the high-end manufacturing possibilities it offers. The Corques seat is defined by its timeless design, which combines earthly tinted cork with juicily colourful fabric and an unorthodox approach to materials that goes hand in hand with environmental awareness.

With thanks to Lucie Koldova.

An all-natural cork bed that aids better sleep

Credit: Design Italy

This magnificent bed – the first cork bed in the world – designed by Matteo Congium, is named “Bisu” from the Sardinian word for “dream”, and was made by the atelier company OTQ based at Ortacesus in Sardinia.

Bisu combines functionality, well-being, ethics and design. The complete absence of metal elements, the naturalness of the cork material and its antistatic properties protect the sleeper from destabilizing magnetic and electrostatic flows.

The bed is trimmed with a choice of oak, teak or walnut wood.

It can be paired with matching bedside tables for the perfect bedroom set.

Credit: Design Italy

Credit: Design Italy

With thanks to Design Italy and Artemest.

#CorkFurniture #CorkDesign #EcoArchitecture #MaterialInnovation

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More than 160 countries presented their visions for a better future at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai on the theme ‘Designing Future Society for Our Lives’.

In keeping with this, the Netherlands pavilion embodied “a future-oriented philosophy in which energy, circularity, and our responsibility as ‘guests on Earth’ are central. Our planet is a closed system, nothing new is added. Everything that doesn’t grow is limited.”

Credit: Tellart

Official partner of the Netherlands Pavilion, Cooloo provided custom-made benches around the iconic 10.6-meter solar sphere finished in recycled cork and other upcycled materials using their patented Endless Life® technology. 

Sustainable furnishings for the expo shop

Credit: Cooloo

At the Expo custom-made tables, counters, and seating were crafted by Cooloo using their patented technique of applying a layer of waste streams of recycled cork to produce stylish sustainable furniture.

Credit: Cooloo

Endless Life® technology explained

Credit: Cooloo

Cooloo develops and creates materials for the interior design, construction and other industries using residual materials such as recycled cork stoppers. These are ground down, combined with bio-based binders which can be used on almost any substrate with their Endless Life® technology.

Re-upholstery of existing furniture, acoustic panels and more

Credit: Cooloo

With a natural aesthetic and versatile applications, cork suits both hard and soft applications. Using Cooloo’s technology ensures low environmental impact and high durability making it ideal for sustainable interior design.

Giving old furniture a second life

Credit: Cooloo

At this school in Rotterdam they had an attic full of discarded furniture – still functional, but stained, worn and far from inspiring. Throwing it all away would have been easy, but wasteful. So, they asked a different question: ‘how can we give them a second life?’ That’s where Cooloo was able to help.

Using their circular spray technology, Cooloo was able to transform each item without the need for reupholstering and without generating waste. A clever reuse of what was there – saving materials, time, energy, and a significant amount of CO2. This turned outdated pieces of furniture into durable, stylish, sustainable designs. Perfect for spaces like a school canteen where function meets design.

Credit: Cooloo

With a background in interior design, Cooloo originally looked at reducing waste and offcuts from carpets and fabrics in the furnishing and garment industries. Since then, their circular technology has broadened to many other sectors including building, construction and even concrete. Partnerships and licences have now been agreed with customers in New Zealand, India, Sri Lanka, Lithuania, Sweden and Dubai and the company is actively seeking more.

Cooloo Endless Life® technology can be applied to a wide range of materials (L to R): leather, jeans, cork and fibres. Credit: Cooloo

Further information: https://cooloo.nl/

With thanks to architects and designers to the Netherlands pavilion at Osaka Expo 2025:

RAU Architects: https://anewdawn.rau.eu/
Tellart design agency: https://www.tellart.com/

#sustainability #interiordesign #circulardesign #cork #materials

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South Africa is often at the forefront of technical developments in the game of rugby. So, it’s no surprise to see the latest technical breakthrough to find a safer more resilient and weatherproof pitch using cork granules has recently been adopted in Southern Africa.

The demanding nature of rugby with frequent tackles, falls and direct ground impact, requires a surface that offers protection and comfort. 

The Amorim Sports Infill Nature 19 is an eco-friendly cork-based infill that provides natural elasticity and energy absorption to help reduce fatigue and risk of injury – a key to daily training and competitive play.

Africa’s first artificial rugby field certified by World Rugby (WR)

Credit: rhino-turf.co.za

Located in Windhoek, Namibia, where average daytime temperatures reach 35 °C, the Curro School pitch is Africa’s first synthetic rugby field certified by World Rugby.

Installation was carried out by Rhino-Turf and the project marks a major milestone for sustainable sports infrastructure on the African continent.

While conventional rubber or synthetic infills often amplify surface heat which compromise player comfort, they can also accelerate the release of microplastics.

By using 100% recyclable and natural cork infill, the new pitch provides a healthier environment for players and greater safety through a combination of superb shock absorption and a lower surface temperature compared with artificial turf fields which makes this infill an ideal choice for sports pitches nearer the equator.

“This project is more than a field – it’s a game-changer for rugby in our region. Our players now train on a world-class surface that supports both performance and the planet.”

– Jannie de Beer, Director of Rugby, Curro Windhoek.

Cork-based infill solutions engineered for high performance and elasticity. Credit: amorim-sports.com

Cork-based infill pitches are engineered to deliver high athletic performance and a soft, stable feel underfoot while ensuring a sustainable playing environment. Thanks to the unique properties of cork such as moisture absorption, natural touch, low heat retention and long-term dimensional stability, these infills are adaptable for the specific demands of rugby.

Technical details – Amorim Sports’s Infill Nature 190:

Bulk density of 170–210 kg/m³ and a calibrated 1–2 mm granule size engineered for consistent play, long lifespan, and sustainability across all climate zones. 

Natural heat resistance: Low thermal conductivity reduces surface temperatures by up to 30% compared to traditional synthetic infills.

Decay resistant: Natural Cork granules compress and rebound without permanent deformation, maintaining surface integrity and stability of performance throughout its lifespan.

100% recyclable natural cork infill: Free from toxic additives and maintains field integrity without chemical breakdown to ensure player and environmental safety.

Zero microplastics:  To avoidpollution of surrounding ecosystems.

Fully recyclable: Can be repurposed at the end of its service life for other natural applications, supporting circular economy models.

With thanks to:

Amorim Sports: https://amorim-sports.com
Rhino-Turf: https://www.rhino-turf.co.za
Curro School Windhoek: https://curro.co.za

#WorldRugbyCertified #SustainableSport #YourFieldOurTurf #Sustainable

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The Octagon, part of central Birmingham’s £1.2 billion Paradise Estate and winner of the Architects Journal (AJ) Masterplan of the Year 2022, is the first pure octagonal high-rise residential building in the world. 

Taller than the BT Tower (formerly the Post Office Tower) and completed in 2025, Octagon is 155 metres high, the tallest structure in Birmingham and a unique 49-storey landmark instantly recognisable across the city.

Generous windows line each facet of the Octagon. Credit: Howells Architects

Making the most of its location the Octagon tower houses 370 new homes with superb views and thanks to its unique shape, each apartment has an unusually wide 13-metre outlook bringing plenty of daylight.

The octagonal plan creates a structure that is both elegant and resource-conscious – a ‘less is more’ philosophy expressed at scale

The octagonal plan with its central core providing structural stability and the ‘radial’ arrangement of the internal spaces provides generous space for the eight apartments on each floor.

A prefabricated façade, finished in a subtle two-tone paint, animates the tower as light moves across its surfaces. This play of tone and shadow gives Octagon a sense of depth and refinement, while ensuring consistency and efficiency in construction.

It also delivers significant efficiencies in construction: with a lower wall-to-floor ratio and shorter service routes.

Credit: Howells Architects

“At Howells, we recognise the built environment’s impact on biodiversity, pollution, and climate change … for new buildings, this means exploring alternatives to new materials by reusing existing resources – thus reducing new extraction of raw materials – which will need little (re)processing to get a new lease of life and purpose.”

Credit: Quadrant

Credit: Quadrant

High quality natural cork carbon-negative flooring was specified by the architects using ‘Corkform Spirit Ecru’ from Quadrant.

Corkform is made predominantly of natural material recycled from the bottle-stopper industry, it has all of cork’s unique benefits: great acoustics, walking comfort and thermal insulation and it’s exceptionally durable.

Corkform is also a carbon negative alternative to timber, laminate and LVT floors. Containing no PVC, it meets the strictest international indoor air quality standards.

When the carbon sequestered by the cork oak forest is taken into consideration, Corkforms’s carbon balance is a remarkable -101kg CO2 eq/m2.

Featuring a robust 2G locking system, Corkform is suitable for heavy commercial use and can be installed as a floating floor or permanently glued down.

#RespectForNature #CorkFlooring #EcoFriendly #Architecture #HighRiseLiving

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Below, we’ve selected the 10 articles that attracted the most interest from our readers over the year, offering a snapshot of the ideas and innovations that resonated most.

1. Where does cork come from?

2. How cork protects astronauts during launch and re-entry

3. Champagne tastes better with cork

4. Cork House is architectural prize winner in 2025

5. Stunning green building wins 2025 architecture award

6. Why yacht designers are now using cork

7. Is home insulation making your house unbearable?

8. How London County Hall won Best Workplace Award 2025

9. Amsterdammers sleep better thanks to cork rubber composites

10. The new Virgin Hotel vinyl bar grounded on cork

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