Portuguese company Amorim Cork Solutions is expanding the use of cork in marine decking, combining sustainability, performance and innovation for international markets.
Portugal is strengthening its position in the international marine sector through cork innovation, with Amorim Cork Solutions positioning the natural material as a full-system solution for boat decking rather than a niche alternative.
The Portuguese company, which also has operations in the United States, manufactures the marine brand Navicork and has supplied cork granules and sheets to external decking companies for several years. According to Udo Kleinitz, Business Development Director for Marine, the company is now seeing growing interest from boatbuilders and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) seeking more sustainable materials.
Cork's environmental credentials are a key driver. Cork oak bark is harvested without cutting down the tree, with trees typically able to be harvested approximately every nine years for more than a century. Cork oak landscapes also contribute to carbon sequestration.
However, performance and commercial viability remain essential, Kleinitz stresses. “Performance, price, installation efficiency and production fit are still decisive factors.”
Amorim's FD01 remains its premium, natural cork decking solution, particularly suited to applications where surface temperature, tactile comfort and carbon performance are important. The newer FD02 offers a more cost-effective and scalable alternative aimed at a broader market.
The peel-and-stick FD02 draws on Amorim's expertise in the automotive sector and is designed to compete more directly with EVA foam decking, expanding the potential applications of Portuguese cork in the marine industry.
Through Navicork, Amorim is seeking to turn cork's combination of Portuguese know-how, sustainability and technical performance into a competitive solution for the global boating market.
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