WICANDERS wood Resist Eco | AMORIM Deutschland
This flooring with PVC-free surface sealing consists of a multi-layer construction with cork, a 100% sustainable and renewable raw material.Due to the consistently sustainable production, this floor contributes to the reduction of global warming.
Corticeira Amorim started in 1870 manufacturing cork stoppers. Very soon, it became apparent that the cork waste generated during production was too valuable and could be used for the development of other products, such as cork floorings. The idea of sustainable growth and to develop products of this waste was born focussing strictly on cork. Thus, AMORIM floorings are the result of a circular economy with the aim of converting cork waste and used cork into valuable and sustainable floorings.
Cork is the bark of the cork oak. It is a 100% natural and renewable raw material with unique, incomparable properties. Inspired by the values of nature and combined with state-of-the-art technology, floorings of first-class quality are produced with undisputed sustainability and remarkable comfort properties for a variety of applications.
Amorim achieves an excellent negative carbon footprint for most of its products, helping to reduce global warming.
Numerous certifications prove that Amorim products do not contain any harmful particles. These floorings are certificated with the EPD eco-label of the Institut Bauen und Umwelt e.V. as well as the certificates 'Blue Angel', 'Global GreenTagCertTM' and 'TÜV-PROFiCERT.
These certifications contribute to achieve the LEED and BREEAM certifications of buildings. Amorim attaches significant importance to certifications of their floorings, as they are a reliable planning aid for architects, planners and builders and a visible proof of Amorim's respect for nature and the environment.
A highly successful project is the “Cork Stopper Recycling” that Amorim started in 2011 together with the NH-Hotel Group as partner.
Amorim produces new floorings from old cork stoppers which are collected in the hotels. Together with 77 hotels in 6 European countries around 2 tons of cork stoppers have been recycled to date. Amorim used them to produce 8,000 m² of cork flooring for more than 300 hotel rooms.
The Characteristics
Respect for nature is the fundamental principle of the company. With this, Amorim ensures that the processes and the products are aligned to the highest environmental protection standards. Every step leaves a mark and ours is climate positive. Amorim achieves a remarkably negative carbon footprint for most of its products, helping to reduce global warming. Inspired by nature, Amorim combines innovative products and respect for the environment in a unique balance.
The extraction of the bark of the cork oak is traditional manual work and therefore, the use of environmentally harmful machines is not necessary. In addition the distances are short, the cork processing and storage facilities are located near the cork oak forests. With this, the CO2 footprint is already minimized right in the beginning of the production process.
Due to cork's natural ability to absorb CO2 and in combination with environmentally friendly production processes, Amorim develops ecologically efficient products with low CO2 emission and positively contributes to sustainable and ecological environment.
Cork is a regrowing raw material as the trees are neither cut nor damaged during harvest. The first harvest can take place after 25 years, since the quality of the cork bark is only good enough after this time. After the first harvest, the bark can grow again and will be harvested every 9 years. The lifetime of a cork oak is about 250 years and cork can be extracted up to 25 times in this time. Cork disposes of unique properties that could not to be reproduced artificially until today.
Amorim products provide a healthy living environment. Special pollution-free surface varnishes prevent that dirt, dust, germs or fungal spores will settle down. This is not only helpful for people with allergy problems. They are also hypoallergenic and free of solvents, formaldehyde and any emissions. Numerous certifications such as Blauer Engel, TÜV PROFICERT, A+, EDP environmental declaration, Global GreenTagCertTM prove that Amorim floorings meet the most stringent indoor air quality tests and have been tested for more than 2000 potential chemicals.
Due to its elasticity and durability, cork is resistant to pressure and has excellent resilience capabilities. This also pays off in daily use. Walking on an extremely hard surface generates energy that affects our muscles and tendons, causing them to vibrate. This results from our heel hitting the ground. Over time, these vibrations damage our feet, legs, lower and upper back, and cause excessive tension. Floor coverings that are too soft lead to fatigue and make it difficult for us to walk. Amorim cork flooring is softer than laminate and harder than carpet. They are just as stable to support the performance perfectly and to provide the necessary support. At the same time, they reduce the impact forces and the associated tension. Stress when walking is minimized, symptoms of fatigue are prevented.
As an efficient natural sound insulator, cork flooring also contributes to a better and healthier living environment. The millions of tiny cells work like acoustic insulation. Amorim cork floor coverings not only reduce the noise in a room (walking noise), but also act as a sound buffer between the rooms next door and below (impact noise). Comparing the tests of the walking sound properties of cork floorings and laminate, cork convinces with an excellent result: The insulating properties reduce the sound by up to 53%.
Use of cork waste to generate energy
During the production process, cork waste and surplus cork are collected, granulated and returned to the production process. With this, a fully integrated process is created that minimizes the carbon footprint. Nothing is wasted, everything is used again at Amorim. Even the cork dust that arises during production process is exhausted, fed into silos and burned there to generate energy from biomass. More than 60% of the energy used in Amorim's production facilities comes from the thermal processing of cork dust.
Short distances and gentle harvest
The extraction of the cork oak is traditional manual work and therefore does not require the use of environmentally harmful machines. In addition, the cork processing and storage facilities are located near the cork oak forests, so the transportation routes are short. The CO2 footprint is thus already minimized right in the beginning of the production process.
Amorim is committed to circular economy
Cork extraction and the associated processing industry are extremely sustainable as the tree is neither cut nor damaged during harvest. The first harvest can take place after 25 years, since the quality of the cork bark is only good enough after this time. After the first harvest, the bark can grow again and can be harvested every 9 years The lifetime of a cork oak is about 250 years and cork can be extracted up to 25 times during its life.
Packaging
In order to further protect the environment and promote sustainability, Amorim recently switched its packaging for floorings to cardboard boxes made from recycled material and does not enclose inserts any longer to save paper. These measures significantly reduce paper consumption and save valuable resources.
Amorim’s decisions are based on experience, knowledge and ethics and we know that a intact environment is essential. From this point of view, cork offers the best ecological solution for equipping apartments and houses.
The cork oak forests are very important for the development of rural areas in the Mediterranean region. They create jobs in cork harvesting and processing and are therefore the economic engine for these regions. WWF estimates that more than 100,000 people are economically dependent on cork-based business activities. Cork harvesting is more than a job. It is a manual work that requires deep knowledge and experience of cork oak forests and the extracting techniques as damages to the trees during harvesting must be avoided. The special skills are passed on from generation to generation in the families of cork farmers, to be able to meet these requirements. This work is one of the highest paid agricultural jobs in the world. The cork harvest is a regular, cyclical process that
Member of the Global Forest & Trade Network
Strict standards apply to the production of floorings and the selection of raw materials: As a member of the Global Forest & Trade Network, an alliance of WWF and twenty Portuguese and Spanish companies, Amorim has committed itself to purchase and sell products primarily from socially and ecologically responsible managed forests areas.
Cork Oak Forests - Habitat for Endangered Animal Species
Cork oaks absorb CO2 in their bark - 4.8 million tons per year just in Portugal. Their high water retention capacity prevents the danger that entire regions become too dry and at the same time secures the habitat for rare animal species.
AMORIM Deutschland | Hall 23 | Stand B82
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