TECHNOLOGY

Natural Cork Stopper manufacturing process (around 11 steps):

1
Cork Boiling
Sterilisation
2
Cork Stabilisation
3
2nd Boiling
Clean Cork Advanced 1
6
Drying / Volatile Extraction
Clean Cork Advanced 2
5
Punching
4
Selection of
Plane and Slicing
7
Rectification
8
Selection
9
Pre-wash
with Deodorisation
11
Final Classification
10
Washing
1
Cork Boiling
Sterilisation
2
Cork Stabilisation
3
2nd Boiling
Clean Cork Advanced 1
4
Selection of Plane and Slicing
5
Punching
6
Drying / Volatile Extraction
Clean Cork Advanced 2
7
Rectification
8
Selection
9
Pre-wash
with Deodorisation
10
Washing
11
Final Classification

INNOVATION

From the wooden board through to the stopper, cork goes through a number of steps which differ depending on the type of stopper being produced.

ARDias’ innovation and competitive edge comes from its focus on the Boiling and Volatile Extraction phase, as it is one of the most important steps in determining the Stopper’s effectiveness with regards to the sensoriality guarantee.

ARDias has developed two types of state-of-the-art technology for the baking process – Clean Cork Advanced 1 and Volatile Extraction – Clean Cork Advanced 2.

clean cork advanced 1

The objective of the crucial cork-baking process is to remove solid organic matter lodged in the pores, and to allow cork to reach the correct moisture content for processing.

In the baking system developed by ARDias, known as CLEAN CORK ADVANCED 1, cork boiling is carried out with water by injection (700 kg of cork – 700L OF WATER) with a pH of 4/4.5 (acidic), which matches the pH of cork phenols.

clean cork advanced 1

The objective of the crucial cork-baking process is to remove solid organic matter lodged in the pores, and to allow cork to reach the correct moisture content for processing.

In the baking system developed by ARDias, known as CLEAN CORK ADVANCED 1, cork boiling is carried out with water by injection (700 kg of cork – 700L OF WATER) with a pH of 4/4.5 (acidic), which matches the pH of cork phenols.

clean cork advanced 2

This procedure consists of deodorising the stoppers, and it takes place immediately after their production. At this stage the stoppers are still untreated, before they go through the final correction stage. During this stage there is a total release of all volatile organic compounds, which allows for the extraction of all sensorials in the cork, whatever they may be.

clean cork advanced 2

This procedure consists of deodorising the stoppers, and it takes place immediately after their production. At this stage the stoppers are still untreated, before they go through the final correction stage. During this stage there is a total release of all volatile organic compounds, which allows for the extraction of all sensorials in the cork, whatever they may be.