What is Cork Fabric and Is It a Sustainable Material?
Fashion has gotten a bad rap for being one of the most polluting industries in the world right now. With hazardous chemicals leaking from the production process and synthetic fibers that are shed into our environment, the clothes we buy can have a large and sadly unsustainable impact.
Naturally, as consumers become aware of the dangerous imprint fashion leaves on our environment, they’ve begun looking into natural fabrics. Some of these fabrics, like linen and cotton, have been around for millennia. Others have been the product of genius brainstorming by those looking to create alternative fabrics. Cork fabric is one example of this. A sustainable and versatile fabric, cork fabric can be found in shoes, bags, and more.
What is Cork Fabric?
Cork fabric is a natural, plant-based fabric. It is made by using bark from Cork Oak trees, just like the wine-stoppers you frequently find in wine bottles and corkboards you’ll see in classrooms. You’ll find it in everything from industrial materials to decorative household goods.
The resulting fabric is very sturdy and durable and similar in texture and feel to leather. For this reason, it is called “Nature’s Leather” alongside other leather alternatives like prickly pear, pineapple, and more.
Cork fabric is impermeable (water-proof), hypoallergenic, anti-fungal, and naturally fire-proof. It is also elastic and lightweight, making it great for fashion accessories and packaging materials.
It has a soft and luxurious feel that shoppers love, making it more desirable than plastic-based leather alternatives. It is also easy to clean and maintain.
What is Cork Fabric Made From?
Image Credit: RossHelen via Envato Elements
Cork fabric is harvested from the Cork Oak tree, also known as Quercus suber. Native to Northwest Africa and Southwest Europe, cork has been used for centuries as bottle stoppers, floating devices, and other useful materials. Utilizing cork as a leather alternative in goods like wallets, handbags, and shoes is a relatively recent phenomenon, though.
Specifically, cork is made from the bark of the cork oak tree. This sturdy, specific phellem layer of cork bark is harvested from trees that are at least 25 years old. Cork oak trees are special in that they are the only tree that can survive with their bark removed. In fact, it doesn’t hurt the tree at all and is a completely sustainable practice, with many cork oak trees living up to 200 years.
Harvesting cork bark also doesn’t utilize any machines. Instead, the ancient practice of using an axe to carefully remove bark without hurting the inner tree is still practiced today by skilled workers called “extractors.” Most cork fabric comes from Portugal, where it is the national tree.
The next step in the production process after harvesting is drying, the cork bark is laid out for a few months. After that, it is boiled, flattened, and molded into shapes for its next journey.
What is Cork Fabric Used For?
Image Credit: praethip via Evato Elements
Cork fabric’s versatility shows through the many products it’s used in. It’s best known as a soft and luxurious leather alternative. It is used for handbags, shoes, wallets, and other goods where it can replace animal skins. Cork leather has become one of the most popular plant-based options for vegan and sustainable clothes and accessories. It can be used for creating faux-leather pants, jackets, bracelets, and more.
This wondrous fabric is also found in many household items – everything from yoga mats to fishing gear and furniture. Its lightweight and waterproof properties mean that it floats and is therefore used for things like boat accessories and drink stoppers.
Is Cork a Sustainable Fabric?
Image Credit: RossHelen via Envato Elements
We know cork is a plant-based fabric, but is it sustainable overall? Let’s take a look at its sustainability credentials. Cork is created wholly from the cork oak tree, which naturally sequesters carbon while it lives. Cork oak trees also don’t require any pesticides or fertilizers to grow, making them a very sustainable option in their native habitat.
Furthermore, the forests in which cork oaks grow are teeming with plant biodiversity and wildlife, including the endangered Iberian lynx, which only lives there. Considering that the trees are not cut down during harvesting, this helps to preserve natural and sustainable habitats.
The full scale of the sustainability of cork forests depends on if they are being managed correctly and ethically, which not all are. The most sustainable forests can seek additional credentials like the Forest Stewardship Council & Rainforest Alliance.
A study showed that the cork used in wine bottles is typically a carbon-negative product due to the fact that the carbon sequestered by the tree was more than what was used for the production, transportation, and wine bottles themselves.
As previously mentioned, the production of cork does not typically use any machinery, preferring the old-school method of axe cutting. This greatly reduces its footprint and also helps local communities and artisans thrive. There are no toxic chemicals used in the processing of cork fabric.
Cork’s sustainability credentials are further increased by the fact that it is a natural, compostable, and biodegradable fabric. It will not shed microfibers into waterways like synthetic fabrics, and it won’t release toxic gases when burned. It’s naturally water-repellant and durable, which means it’s also long-lasting in most cases.
Despite being waste-free and plant-based, there are some sustainability concerns about cork. These are mostly related to how it is designed and used in post-production. Cork fabric is frequently glued to a woven backing fabric that can be sustainable, like linen or hemp, or unsustainable, like polyester. It can also be dyed with toxic dyes for color or treated with a fabric protection spray. Overall, it’s best to check with the brand to see if any of these are present, which would affect its biodegradability. Natural, plant-based dyes are available as an alternative.
Pros and Cons of Cork Fabric
Cork fabric is overall a wonderful sustainable option and leather alternative, but it’s important to weigh the pros and cons.
Pros:
- It’s completely natural, plant-based, and biodegradable
- The production process of harvesting from trees is sustainable
- It’s a great alternative to leather for accessories, handbags, and more
- It’s durable, lightweight, water-repellant, and long-lasting
Cons:
- Cork forests can be managed unsustainably
- Cork can only be harvested from a tree once every 9-12 years
- It can be paired with unsustainable fabric backings, dyes, and sprays
- It’s not as versatile or flexible as some other plant-based fabrics
Many of the downsides of cork fabric can be managed by doing research on the brands you shop with to see if they have the appropriate sustainability credentials and are using sustainably managed forests, natural plant-based dyes, etc.
Final Thoughts on Cork Fabric
Cork is both an ancient commodity and an exciting new opportunity! Cork fabric is an amazingly durable, long-lasting fabric that elevates plant-based shoes, clothing, accessories, and more. As a natural fabric, it provides a vegan, sustainable option for a leather alternative.
Many people love it for its soft, lightweight, and luxurious feel. It’s also hard not to be excited about how sustainable it is. From production to long-time wear, cork fabric has a small environmental footprint and a big impact. Removing carbon dioxide and promoting biodiversity are just two of the ways that cork forests give back to our planet.
So you can feel good about your latest purchases and wear them with pride! Don’t forget to share the love of cork with everyone you know.
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