Manufacturing Process

From beginning to end, a process we craft with expertise

About the process

At GF Cork, we master all stages of micro-agglomerated and technical cork stopper production, ensuring complete control over quality and food safety. We implement rigorous quality checks at every step of the process, guaranteeing that each stopper meets the highest standards of performance, hygiene, and sustainability.

We continuously invest in automation and the development of in-house technology, enhancing production efficiency and precision to deliver consistently high-performing cork stoppers.

  • Our award-winning moulding process has held a European patent since 2013.

View the Process

Discover the different stages

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Stage 1
Raw Material Reception
Production starts with the receipt of raw cork, including weighing, quality checks, and proper storage to ensure traceability and optimal preservation.
Production starts with the receipt of raw cork, including weighing, quality checks, and proper storage to ensure traceability and optimal preservation.
Stage 2
Milling
Selected cork (special cork dust or cork granules) is ground and sorted by size and density, enabling precise control of the granules’ properties used in stopper production.
Selected cork (special cork dust or cork granules) is ground and sorted by size and density, enabling precise control of the granules’ properties used in stopper production.
Stage 3
Sterilization
All granules pass through our patented sterilization system, which eliminates contaminants and unwanted odors. This innovative process uses steam injection and heat under controlled pressure and temperature conditions, ensuring the purity of the cork.
All granules pass through our patented sterilization system, which eliminates contaminants and unwanted odors. This innovative process uses steam injection and heat under controlled pressure and temperature conditions, ensuring the purity of the cork.
Stage 4
Molding
Sterilized granules are combined with FDA-approved food-contact binders and placed into individual molds. Patented by GF Cork since 2013, this highly innovative process creates stoppers with exceptional mechanical properties, guaranteeing optimal sealing and performance.
Sterilized granules are combined with FDA-approved food-contact binders and placed into individual molds. Patented by GF Cork since 2013, this highly innovative process creates stoppers with exceptional mechanical properties, guaranteeing optimal sealing and performance.
Stage 3
Gluing
The gluing phase involves attaching carefully selected natural cork discs to the ends of the agglomerated cork body, producing technical corks of the 1+1 or 0+2 type.
The gluing phase involves attaching carefully selected natural cork discs to the ends of the agglomerated cork body, producing technical corks of the 1+1 or 0+2 type.
Stage 5
Rectification
Following molding, the stoppers are polished and refined, with dimensions and finishes carefully adjusted to ensure consistent product quality.
Following molding, the stoppers are polished and refined, with dimensions and finishes carefully adjusted to ensure consistent product quality.
Stage 6
Washing and Disinfection
The stoppers undergo a disinfection and washing process using specific products and water, ensuring the removal of impurities and bleaching, always in compliance with international food safety standards.
The stoppers undergo a disinfection and washing process using specific products and water, ensuring the removal of impurities and bleaching, always in compliance with international food safety standards.
Stage 7
Finishing
Printing – Customization with the client’s brand or logo, applied by burning or ink, according to preferences. Treatment – Application of waterproof polymer emulsions, which improve cork extraction and insertion, ensuring optimal performance in bottle sealing.
Printing – Customization with the client’s brand or logo, applied by burning or ink, according to preferences. Treatment – Application of waterproof polymer emulsions, which improve cork extraction and insertion, ensuring optimal performance in bottle sealing.
Stage 8
Shipping
After a final quality control, the corks are counted and vacuum-packed with SO₂, preserving their properties until final use. For semi-finished corks, we use raffia bags. Finally, the products are prepared in our logistics area and dispatched to clients worldwide.
After a final quality control, the corks are counted and vacuum-packed with SO₂, preserving their properties until final use. For semi-finished corks, we use raffia bags. Finally, the products are prepared in our logistics area and dispatched to clients worldwide.
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