Amorim’s ReCORK America and SOLE Footwear to “Upcycle” Millions of Used Natural Cork Wine Closures

NAPA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ReCORK America™, a US-based wine cork recycling program sponsored by Amorim of Portugal, the world’s largest producer of natural cork wine closures, announced they are partnering with SOLE of Canada to reclaim and “upcycle” a portion of the billions of natural cork wine and Champagne closures opened each year by US and Canadian consumers.

“We have collected nearly 4 million corks since the program started in 2007 – that’s without promotion or fanfare. The SOLE partnership will give us the opportunity to dramatically expand our collection efforts and better serve our current and future collection partners.”

SOLE is a leading manufacturer of footwear products with distribution throughout North America. Mike Baker, SOLE’s CEO, views the partnership with Amorim’s ReCORK as a splendid opportunity for both companies to deliver on their sustainable business models. “We have been working with ReCORK for over 8 months,” said Baker. “They provided us with thousands of used corks and we did the R&D necessary to successfully come up with a cork blend in our footwear products that enhances the material properties of the footwear while extending the useful life of the cork for years to come. This is the kind of sustainable effort that benefits everyone.”

ReCORK and SOLE have an agreement to find sustainably optimized ways to reuse and recycle as many corks as can be collected. Roger Archey, a spokesman for Amorim’s ReCORK, says the timing is perfect. “We have collected nearly 4 million corks since the program started in 2007 – that’s without promotion or fanfare. The SOLE partnership will give us the opportunity to dramatically expand our collection efforts and better serve our current and future collection partners.”

ReCORK’s recycling partners include many familiar names in the wine, hospitality and retail markets, including: American Airlines/Sodexo, The Wine Tasting Network (WTN), Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines, Rodney Strong Wine Estates, Cakebread Cellars, Whole Foods Markets in Northern California, the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone, Rutherford Wine Co. and PlumpJack, to mention a few.

An important goal of the ReCORK/SOLE partnership is to help foster a better understanding and appreciation of the important role cork oak forests, and for that matter, the role all forests play in our everyday lives. Natural cork is a perfect definition of sustainability – birth, development, harvest, and renewal: all without cutting down a single tree!

About ReCORK and Amorim

ReCORK America is a natural cork recycling program sponsored by Amorim of Portugal and its US affiliates, Portocork America and Amorim Cork America. For additional information, visit www.recorkamerica.com or www.savemiguel.com.

Tracing its root to the 19th century, Amorim has become the largest cork and cork-derived company in the world, generating over Euro 450 million in sales throughout more than 100 countries. Amorim and its subsidiaries are an integral part of a conservation effort to guarantee the survival of hundreds of thousands of cork oak trees throughout the Mediterranean Basin. Amorim is proud of its contributions to the correct utilization of these important forests that represent a key role in CO2 retention, preserving biodiversity and preventing desertification. Information about Amorim of Portugal can be found at www.amorim.com/en and www.corkfacts.com.

About SOLE

SOLE launched its line of supportive, do-it-yourself, heat-moldable footbeds in 2001. Millions of happy feet later, SOLE extended its expertise in foot health and comfort to a line of Premium Performance Socks. In 2008, SOLE launched its Platinum Sandal, which offers unrivaled orthopedic support and comfort. REI, Red Wing Shoes, Zappos.com and thousands of specialty retailers around the world carry SOLE. SOLE products are used by dozens of professional teams in the NFL, NBA and MLB as well as 'UltraMarathon Man' Dean Karnazes, renowned mountaineer Ed Viesturs, Team Nike Adventure Racing and the US and Canadian Military. www.yoursole.com