The cork oak is a true wonder of nature. It is the only tree in the world whose bark can be removed without harming it: the bark regenerates to protect the trunk, through a process of photosynthesis that absorbs up to five times more CO2 than trees that have not been debarked. Native to the western Mediterranean basin, it has been used for centuries to make wine bottle stoppers, and plays an important role both as a habitat for many animal species and as a source of employment for many traditional workers in the sector.
Its fantastic ecological and regenerative properties gave beauty packaging manufacturer and distributor Quadpack the idea to develop its own cork collection in its QLine range, using a by-product of the wine cork industry. The innovative range of fragrance caps makes the most of cork's properties for beauty brands:
- Hypoallergenic: Cork does not absorb dust, thus helping to protect against allergies and respiratory diseases.
- Waterproof: The suberin and cerides contained in the cell walls protect the cork from humidity and allow it to age without deteriorating.
- Insulation : Cork insulates against heat, noise and vibrations thanks to the gaseous components it contains, trapped in small hermetic compartments in the shape of a honeycomb.
- Elasticity: Cork adapts to temperature and pressure variations without losing its integrity.
- Natural touch: Softness and flexibility combined with a naturally irregular surface.
- Lightness: More than 50 percent of its volume is air. Cork weighs up to 0.16 grams per cm3 and floats on water.
The collection's caps are agglomerated with about 10 percent food-grade polyurethane (PU) to ensure the material is properly processed: the five options in different shapes and sizes are all single-material, recycled and recyclable. "Cork is a totally environmentally friendly product, as the material is used in its entirety, without producing waste. The launch is a big step forward in Quadpack's commitment to circularity of its products," says Isabelle de Maistre, Head of Product Communications at Quadpack.
