3DCork is a family-owned company born from the union between tradition and innovation. Founded in 2006 by a father and his daughter, the company has been dedicated to exploring the infinite possibilities of cork, a natural and sustainable material. Combining deep expertise in cork with advanced marketing strategies, 3DCork has created a variety of products that beautify homes with unique decor while revolutionizing the use of cork in footwear components, sports equipment, and industrial applications.
Development and research have been fundamental to ensuring the company’s continuity in the market and its ability to adapt to the constant needs and challenges of society. In this context, the company has been working closely with universities and research centers, as one of the partner companies in the BioShoes4All project.
In partnership with BioShoes4All, 3DCork has been working on developing sustainable solutions for the footwear industry, focusing on the research and development of new biocomposites incorporating cork and other biomaterials. One of the most innovative aspects of the company’s work has been the use of by-products and waste from other industries to create new biocomposites. A notable example of this work is the valorization of tomato pomace. The agri-food industries produce vast amounts of waste annually, with minimal or no utilization. Currently, only a small portion is reused as animal feed or compost. With this in mind, these residues can be used to provide new properties and functionalities to footwear components, improving them.
This process not only promotes sustainability but also enhances circularity and industrial symbiosis, as it utilizes resources that would otherwise be discarded to create high-value-added products. Furthermore, this waste management strategy not only significantly valorizes a by-product but also reduces the environmental burden resulting from agro-industrial activity, ultimately benefiting both the environment and the industry. Some of these products are still under development; however, Sara assures us that they are already yielding consistent and promising results. She believes that new products will soon be ready to enter the market.
If you want to discover in greater detail how 3DCork is transforming waste into high-value resources, join us and listen to this podcast episode!
Speaker
Sara Nunes, manager of 3DCork, has been with the company since its inception. She studied Economics but prefers the creative side of Marketing.
This podcast was developed within the scope of the BioShoes4All project – Innovation and training of the footwear sector for sustainable bioeconomy, project no. 11, investment supported by the PRR – Recovery and Resilience Plan, under component 12 – Sustainable Bioeconomy, and by the European Funds NextGeneration EU. For more information, visit the website recuperarportugal.gov.pt.
This publication reflects only the opinions of the authors; the PRR – Recovery and Resilience Plan and the European NextGeneration EU Fund cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained herein.