Case study

Setting up of a short supply chain based on the valorization of cork waste in the Pyrénées-Orientales region

Image:

Objective:

This project studied in the Pyrénées-Orientales region for cork waste and the setting up of a short supply chain (building, garden centre, etc.) in order to create local jobs and enable owners of cork oak forests to earn some. The structuring of a value chain for cork waste will allow a return to production of the cork groves favourable to the prevention of fire risks and thus to the conservation of its heritage interest. The project has chosen to use techniques which do not require major investment in equipment or buildings. We focused on the results of a transformation into granulated cork for bulk insulation.

Start/end date:

Context:

In the Pyrénées-Orientales region as well as in France one of the main challenges is to find outlets for cork waste, which represents for certain massifs the overwhelming majority of production due to the regression of cork related activities during the 20th century and the recurrence of forest fires. It is thus necessary to work on short dies, implying the installation of units of first transformation of cork which are lacking in the majority of the producing regions. The possible added value on cork waste will make it possible to boost the increase in the production of quality cork by developing and maintaining a better structured sector.

Further information:

DUMAS P.-G., 1986. Étude sur une relance de la filière liège française. Conseil général du génie rural, des eauxet des forêts (CGGREF), Paris.