R&D PROJECTS

Amorim's R&D projects aim to enhance the intrinsic properties of natural cork by applying the best and latest that technology can offer.

Its R&D Department combines scientific expertise with a determination to bring the winemaker's perspective into Amorim's cork research activities.

At present, Amorim's most important R&D project is the continued development of the ROSA system for the elimination of trichloroanisole (TCA) and other contaminants from wine closures.

However, the ROSA system is only one of several initiatives aimed at the preventation or cure of cork contamination. Research is under way at all critical stages in the production process to attack or avoid contaminants that might affect the performance of cork as a wine closure.

Amorim is also devoting scientific resources internally and in collaboration with others to generally improve cork quality, introduce new products and assess the short- and long-term performance of cork against other wine closures.

Below is a summary of Amorim's current R&D.

Amorim research projects – 2000/2005

Project	Status
Development of ROSA system to remove TCA from cork granules	Achieved in 2003
Extension of ROSA system to cork discs and stoppers	Proceeding
New glue for agglomerated corks and for cork discs (2 projects)	Proceeding
New stopper coatings impervious to TCA and other compounds (2 projects)	Proceeding
New specifications for champagne corks	Proceeding in association with Moet et Chandon and Sabate
New washing process for stoppers – to improve efficacy without damaging physical properties of the cork	Proceeding
Analysis of yellow stain and green cork in raw corkwood – to understand impact on sensory properties	Proceeding
Migration of TCA in corkwood piles – to improve selection procedures	Proceeding