Part of its ongoing work to develop sustainable fabrics for environmentally sound, future-considered solutions, Schoeller’s new corkshell technology uses natural FSC-certified cork granulate that is a by-product in the production of wine corks. This natural granulate is pulverized and combined with the fabric in a patented process from Schoeller that firmly affixes the cork to the fabric.

According to the company, corkshellT soft-shell fabrics naturally have a 30% greater thermal insulation when compared with conventional soft-shells and are highly breathable. This makes them particularly suitable for all outdoor activities in the winter season as well as for the milder weather in spring and autumn. Meanwhile, corkshell fabrics are soft, very lightweight and feature natural antimicrobial properties.

Two different corkshellT options are available. One is a two-layer fabric construction with a cork coating on the inside of the fabric. The other is a three-layer fabric construction in which the cork coating is sandwiched between a stretchy, water and wind repelling surface fabric and a highly breathable lining that can be adapted to the requirements of weather conditions.

Additionally, cork has natural stretch properties and therefore corkshell can be offered in both two-way and four-way stretch qualities.

According to sources at Schoeller, the unique properties of the cork oak bark are most easily recognized in its capacity for regeneration and resistance. Cork oak tree forests are perfect, sustainable ecological systems. The harvesting of the thick, rugged cork does not harm the tree, making it a renewable resource. The cork oak tree can live 150 to 200 years and during its lifetime, tree bark can be harvested approximately 16 times. No single tree is felled in this process and every single gram of cork bark can be used.

The constantly re-growing bark has a bubble-form structure making it suitable for thermal insulation. Its tight web of 40 million cells per cubic centimeter is filled with an air-like gas and is therefore extremely lightweight, durable and stretchable.