What is Cork? 
Cork is composed of dead cells that accumulate on the outer surface of the cork oak tree.

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Where does cork come from?
Most of the world’s main Cork Oak forests are found in Portugal.

Versatility and Diversity
Cork is a versatile raw material.  Cork is totally recyclable and cork products can be recycled many times. In the final stage of their life when no more cork can be useful for a human being, cork products can be used in energy degeneration, producing CO2 and high calorific value when being incinerated.

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Is the Cork tree harmed when it's harvested?
Harvesting cork can only be done by experts. This process not only doesn’t harm the tree, it’s actually good for them. Stripping a cork oak of its bark also enhances the ability to absorb carbon dioxide; the seven million acres of cork forest around the Mediterranean offset 20 million tons of CO2 each year.

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Amazing Benefits of Cork Products
Considered as the global leading sustainable raw material, cork stands out as a favorite option for manufacturers of cork products. Due to the tremendous advantages that cork has to offer, cork products are rapidly growing within a wide range of applications. Cork is a natural material which is well known for its elasticity and impermeability. Products made from cork are also very lightweight, water and stain resistant. 

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Is cork natural, versatile and sustainable?
Cork is such a perfect raw material that no industrial, laboratory or technological process has yet been able to emulate its characteristics.
Cork is 100% sustainable, renewable and carbon neutral material. It holds more carbon dioxide than timber only releasing the CO2 if the cork is powdered and incinerated. During the bark regrowth years, it absorbs 5 times more CO2 than a normal tree, making it an effective agent against global warming. 

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Why is cork sustainable?
Cork is incredibly sustainable. The cork oak woodlands are one of the best examples for balancing conservation and development for the benefit of people and nature.
They sustain rich biodiversity and traditional livelihoods, provide opportunities for development in economically and socially disadvantaged areas, and play a key role in ecological processes, such as water retention, soil conservation or carbon storage. 
 
Is cork fabric eco-friendly?
Cork fabric is extremely eco-friendly. It scores highly in terms of sustainability. A cork oak tree does not need to be cut down – layers of bark are removed skillfully by hand and over the next few years the bark grows back. These trees can live hundreds of years.

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Key Characteristics of Cork
-Lightweight
More than 50% of the volume of cork is air which means that it is very light.

 
-Elastic, compressible and resilient
Cork is the only solid which, when compressed on one side, does not increase in volume on the other. In addition, it has an “elastic memory” which enables it to adapt to variations in temperature and pressure. 

 

-Impermeable
Cork is impermeable to liquids and gases. Its resistance to moisture enables it to age without deteriorating.

 
-Hypoallergenic, antistatic and odour-free
Cork offers protection against allergies because it does not absorb dust, and therefore prevents the appearance of dust mites, and therefore the odour of its aromatic compounds is not intrusive.

-Resistant to friction
Cork is very comfortable because its cells are formed from microscopic gas pads. This characteristic gives cork the ability to absorb shock and thereby relieve pressure on the foot, protecting joints and safeguarding the spine.

-Fire resistant -Slow-burning

The slow combustion of cork makes it a natural fire resistant material and a kind of barrier against fire.
Cork is therefore a natural barrier against fires. Cork burns without a flame and does not emit toxic gases during its combustion.

-Renewable, recyclable and reusable
Cork is a renewable, recyclable and reusable raw material.

-Biodegradable
As a natural product, cork is 100% biodegradable.

-Energy source
Cork dust may be used as biomass, as a source of neutral energy in terms of CO2 emissions.

-Soft to the touch
Cork is very soft to the touch, with a very unique odour, that is not intrusive and is slightly sweet. With a normal temperature very close to that of the human body, cork emits a sense of comfort that is hard to replicate with any other material. 

-Water resistant
Water resistance is cork’s best-kept secret: cork ages without deteriorating mainly due to its resistance to moisture. The suberin (a waterproofing waxy substance) present in the cell walls makes cork intangible to liquids and gases.

-Wear and tear resistant
Cork leather is a very sturdy fabric, creating durable products that last for many years. Thanks to its honeycomb structure, cork is very wear-resistant and has a high coefficient of friction. 

-Extremely lightweight
This is one of the biggest advantages of cork and of our footwear, as we designed them to ensure your comfort and movability. With over 50% of its volume being air, no wonder cork is so light.

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-High-quality products
Unlike leather, cork leather is 100% natural and vegan, water-resistant, stain resistant and scratch-proof. Another advantage of cork leather over animal leather is that it’s very low-maintenance. 

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 Benefits of using products made with cork
Cork is one of the eco-friendliest natural resources on the planet. 
Harvesting cork helps to fight global warming.
Cork harvesting is one of the highest-paid agricultural jobs in the world.

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Cork oaks help to prevent forest fires
Trees that can be planted which actually help to stop the spread of wildfires are an important factor in forestry.
Thanks to the fire-resistant properties of cork, the thick bark on the cork oak trees acts as a protective barrier against fire and heat. This protection extends to the forest itself and the animals within it. 

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Supporting cork is supporting nature
The more people who buy cork products, the more cork the industry needs and the more cork oak trees which need to be planted and harvested. This creates a virtuous cycle that is healthy for the environment and for our planet. 
The reason for such a low ecological footprint lies in two qualities of cork: it is both recyclable and biodegradable.

Cork leather makes the perfect substitute for animal-derived or synthetic leather
Being an all-natural product, cork doesn’t leave anything to be desired from its industrial counterparts. 
Because of its durability, strength, and flexibility, it can easily replace harmful and chemical-heavy materials, like leather.
Cork leather can be produced without the harmful chemicals found in leather production.

Easy to Clean & Stain Resistant
Durable & Enduring – The honeycomb structure of cork helps make cork resistant to impact, abrasion and friction. Its resistance to moisture enables it to age without deteriorating, giving your projects a long lasting life.

Is cork leather durable?
One of cork's main benefits is the fact that it is extremely durable. It’s chemical and physical structure allows for amazing wear resistance. Cork fabric wears similarly to leather which is another reason this cork material is often called cork leather. But unlike leather, cork leather is water resistant due to its natural properties.
Cork leather is water-resistant, scratch proof, fire repellent and very sturdy. 
 
Will cork leather fade over time?
As a natural product made from tree bark, some fading may be observed over time. This is totally normal and it doesn’t affect the product’s structure. If your cork leather goods have been coloured, that colour may also naturally fade over the years. Exposing your cork leather goods to direct sunlight for prolonged periods will also cause fading. Just like with any other fabric.
 
Are cork forests endangered?
The more we use cork material, the healthier the cork forests are. They are very well maintained and there is enough cork material to meet global demand for at least 100 years.

How important are cork trees?
Cork is the world’s most generous tree. A cork oak tree can live on average about 200 years. Once a tree is 25 years old, it is ready for its first harvest. The bark regrows and can be harvested again in about 9 years. 
 
Biodiversity – no trees, no wildlife.
Cork oak landscapes are particularly well adapted to the harsh Mediterranean climate and soil conditions, supporting high biodiversity levels and sustainable economic activities.
 
Social Impact
Cork is a multi-generational and vital source of regional rural employment. There are around 100,000 people in the Iberian and Mediterranean cork producing countries who are economically dependent on the industry.
 
Is cork leather vegan?
Yes! Cork leather is 100% vegan. It is a great alternative to animal leather due to its look and feel.
Yes, Cork harvesting and production is a cruelty free process.

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Cork fabric vs. Animal leather?
While animal leather does have a long life span and appealing aesthetic qualities, someone, somewhere is paying the price for our continued love affair with leather. Leather production causes animal cruelty, extreme pollution, and takes advantage of workers who are often underpaid and suffering due to dangerous working conditions. 
Cork leather is just as durable as animal leather, has the same estimated lifespan, and has very similar aesthetic qualities, such as its smooth and soft texture. 
Cork is a material for the future, and the momentum is just picking up. Cork, with its intricate natural patterns, soft texture, and water-resistant structure, is only becoming more widely appreciated as people around the world become aware of it.

What happens when my cork shoe gets wet?
Cork is naturally antimicrobial and antibacterial.

How to clean your cork footwear?
We recommend always cleaning your cork footwear with soap and warm water after spilling something on them, even if it seems like you were able to clean them with a dry cloth or wet wipe. This will help keep stains at bay and preserve the colour of your product.
Gently wipe down with a damp cloth and then let them air dry before you put away. Be careful not to damage your product by scrubbing hard with an abrasive sponge.
For stubborn spots and stains, scrub the cork with soapy water or white vinegar and then rinse off the solution with water.
Your Shaamli footwear will age – like everything under the sun. But they will do so in a well-kept manner, lasting you for years to come, with added comfort and character.

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So why cork?
Cork is widely regarded as being one of the most ecologically friendly materials around the world. It’s easily recycled, completely natural, and using Cork Oak forests for industry helps prevent desertification and deforestation. By using cork products, you directly contribute towards the survival and management of a vital ecosystem that is essential for a sustainable future.

ABOUT SHAAMLI CORK FOOTWEAR
Shaamli Cork Footwear was conceptualized and founded in 2019. We wanted to create footwear through a union and fusion between man’s needs and nature's ability to provide a combined cohesive synergy. We were looking for a sustainable and eco-friendly product and method that would meet these criteria.
Natural cork was the solution.

We are now creating a range of high quality cork products.

We are the manufacturers and global distributors of all our products.

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SIMPLY CORK – SIMPLY NATURAL – SIMPLY WORN

–  YOUR PERFECT PARTNER , NATURALLY !

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