Amorim's R&D
program aims to enhance the intrinsic properties of natural cork by applying the best and
latest that technology can offer.
Its R&D
department combines skills in chemistry, microbiology, oenology and sensory analysis with
strong wine-making credentials, reflecting Amorim's determination to bring the winemaker's
perspective to its cork research capabilities.
Amorim also maintains separate a department for quality
assurance and new product development, as well as a
central laboratory, Labcork, that tests all materials passing through the Amorim Group.
The three teams work together closely to achieve the highest standards in quality and
performance for Amorim corks.
The main focus of
Amorim's current internal research program is the scientific evaluation of Amorim's
production processes and new products to ensure they meet the demands of winemakers.
Internal research priorities – 2000/2001
| Project |
Description |
| Scientific validation |
- Validation of all existing processes and of new products and
processes
- Effectiveness of cork in long-term wine storage
|
| Hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) |
- HACCP techniques in the
production and distribution chain
- New technologies to apply to critical risk areas
|
| Code of practice |
- Validation of code of practice for cork production
|
| Sensory panel |
- Establishment of expert sensory panel and Group-wide sensory
analysis standards
|
| Cork database |
- Comprehensive database of all scientific literature on cork
|
In addition, Amorim is sponsoring wine closure research at a number
of respected universities and laboratories around the world, either directly or through
the Amorim Academy.
Sponsored research – 2000/2001
| Institution |
Project |
Geisenheim
University
(Germany) |
- Comparative performance of closures
|
Bordeaux 2 University
(France) |
- Role of cork in wine maturation
|
Excell Laboratory
(France) |
- Comparative performance of closures
|
ETS
(USA) |
- TCA analysis, new product testing
|
IBET
(Portugal) |
|
Wacker
(Germany) |
- New product development (protection against contaminants)
|
ISEP
(Portugal) |
- Study the absorbent capacity of cork to pesticides
|
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