How cork-based technology is being used on Africa’s first World Rugby-certified artificial pitch – and why it could change the future of rugby playing surfaces.

At the Octagon in Birmingham, cork flooring plays a key role in the building’s sustainable design approach, supporting performance, comfort, and long-term environmental goals.

We round up the 10 articles that captured the most reader interest in 2025, showcasing cork’s versatility across sustainable design and everyday life.

With the Christmas shopping season in full swing, Ecochild’s environmentally friendly toys show cork as a natural alternative for children’s products.

County Hall’s recent refurbishment sets a new benchmark for low-carbon design, combining adaptive reuse with a dramatic reduction in embodied carbon.

Portuguese Treasures has unveiled a new Christmas range of sustainably crafted cork gifts, highlighting Portugal’s design heritage and the material’s versatility.

A sustainably-built new HQ for Clarissakork has won this year’s BIG SEE architecture award, reflecting Bregenzerwald’s reputation for contemporary wooden design and natural building materials.

How Melker of Sweden’s Värmdö kayak combines comfort and performance in a lightweight touring kayak with a cork-agglomerate core that delivers strength, thermal insulation and water resistance.

How cork–rubber technology is helping to make Amsterdam’s Metro Line 52 quieter and smoother, significantly reducing vibrations and noise for residents along the route.

In the first of two articles, we look at how cork composite materials are being used to improve performance and efficiency in the rail industry.

The first – and biggest – initial challenge for any space programme is overcoming Earth’s gravity during launch.

Throughout the first half of 2025, our stories have explored cork’s versatility, its role in driving sustainable innovation, and its impact across a wide range of sectors.

Most homes in the UK are not built to withstand the heatwaves we are currently experiencing. For many years, Government policy has been focused on energy efficiency without looking at the possibility of overheating.