Cork seeks new opportunities for employment and innovation in the Serranía de Ronda

Cork is seeking to expand its role in Málaga’s rural economy. Beyond its traditional applications, this natural material could become a strategic raw material for sustainable construction, biomaterials and new business activities with a low carbon footprint.

With this aim, Cortes de la Frontera will host the conference ‘Innovation and industrial transformation of cork from the cork oak forests of Málaga province’ on 30 June, organised by Málaga Provincial Council through the La Noria social innovation centre.

The initiative will bring together business owners, forestry landowners, sustainable construction professionals, universities, local councils and public institutions to identify new economic opportunities linked to cork oak forests.

An immersive route to discover traditional cork harvesting

The event will not be limited to technical presentations. Participants will take part in an immersive route to learn first-hand how cork is harvested without damaging the tree.

The visit will highlight the work of specialised professionals involved in cutting, splitting, collecting, transporting and weighing cork. These tasks require experience, manual skill and knowledge passed down through generations.

The programme also includes a visit to the Aley storage centre and its autoclave facilities, where cork undergoes cleaning processes before moving on to the next stages of transformation.

New uses for a natural material

One of the main aims of the event is to connect the forestry sector with companies, universities and professionals capable of developing innovative applications for cork.

Its insulating properties, lightness, durability and renewable origin make it suitable for areas such as sustainable construction, thermal and acoustic insulation, design, furniture and the manufacture of new materials.

Processing this raw material locally could generate greater added value, encourage the creation of new businesses and prevent cork harvested in Málaga’s forests from leaving the province before part of its industrial transformation has taken place.

Cortes de la Frontera, a benchmark for Andalusian cork oak forests

Cortes de la Frontera was chosen because of its close relationship with forest management and cork production. The municipality has more than 17,000 hectares of cork oak forest, making it one of the leading areas in the sector in Andalusia.

Cork harvesting provides income for many families and also generates revenue for local authorities. In addition, its sustainable management helps preserve woodland, protect biodiversity and reduce the accumulation of plant material that can contribute to the spread of wildfires.

Unlike other extractive activities, cork harvesting does not require the tree to be cut down. The bark is removed carefully and regenerates naturally, provided that harvesting cycles and proper techniques are respected.

Bioeconomy and rural development in the Genal Valley

The conference forms part of the European EMBEDED project, funded through the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme. The initiative focuses on transforming forestry waste into high-value materials with a low environmental impact.

Málaga Provincial Council is participating in the project alongside fifteen other organisations from Spain, Ireland, Portugal and the Czech Republic.

The aim is for the natural resources of the Serranía de Ronda and the Genal Valley to be viewed not only as environmental heritage, but also as an opportunity to generate innovation, employment and economic activity in rural municipalities affected by depopulation.

Places are limited and the event is primarily aimed at technical, business and institutional professionals. Registration must be completed through the form provided by La Noria.

Information about the programme, participants and registration has been published by Málaga Provincial Council on its official website.