APCOR opens the Cork Welcome Center – a new information space about cork, cork oak forest, cork industry and it’s products.

Launch of InterCork III, with an investment of 7.8 million euros for the international promotion of cork. The Cork Experience Tour was created, a project that promotes cork to domestic and foreign tourists, attracting visitors to the sector.

APCOR completed 60 years existence at the service of the cork sector. The book “Cork. Communication Around The World” was published.

APCOR creates the University/Cork Industry Roadshow to bring the academic world and industry together, promoting the science and the transfer of knowledge that is essential for the industry.

Launch of InterCork II, with an investment of 7.3 million euros for the international promotion of cork.

The InterCork Programme invests 21 million euros on promoting cork internationally. To date, this is the biggest investment in communication to promote wine bottle stoppers and construction materials.

APCOR receives the title of Honorary Member of the Order of Entrepreneurial Merit, in the Industrial category, awarded by the President of the Republic, Cavaco Silva. The website of the President of the Republic states: “APCOR is the legitimate representative of the entire national cork industry, and has led the way in improving the conditions of technical development and research in the sector, making a decisive contribution to the of the “Centro Tecnológico da Cortiça” (Cork Technology Centre) and the creation of the “Centro de Formação Profissional da Indústria de Cortiça” (Centre for Professional Training in the Cork Industry).

The modern new facilities of CINCORK, in Santa Maria de Lamas, are opened by the then Minister of Labour and Social Solidarity, José Vieira da Silva.

2005 to 2006 – Start of the International Cork Campaign (CIC II) targeted mainly at the US, Australian and UK markets. José Mourinho, famous Portuguese coach, endorses national cork in a unique communication campaign.

2004 to 2006 – Implementation of the Construction Materials Industry programme, to develop and strengthen the image of the cork as a construction material.

2001 to 2003 – Implementation of the International Cork Campaign to promote and enhance cork in the main foreign markets: The United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, South Africa, Chile and Argentina. The campaign represents an investment of 9 million euros.

Jully 2000 – The 1st World Cork Oak and Cork Congress is held, at the Centro Cultural in Belém, Lisbon, with around 1,100 national and international delegates.

March 31st, 1999 – The name is changed again, to its present name, the Associação Portuguesa da Cortiça (Portuguese Cork Association).

June 7th, 1994 – The Association becomes national, and is renamed the Associação Nacional dos Industriais e Exportadores de Cortiça (National Association of Cork Industries and Exporters).

The Cork Technology Centre (CTCOR) is founded in Santa Maria de Lamas, with 400 thousand contos of EU funds. This is one of the great achievements of the Association, resulting in the geographical centre of cork being switched from France to Portugal, in terms of technology. It becomes the most advanced unit in the world in terms of cork industry research.

The European Cork Confederation (C.E. Liège) is born, the European body with the greatest influence on the sector, through the Association of Cork Federations of France, Italy, Spain, Catalonia, and the United Kingdom.

CINCORK is officially founded, through an official agreement between the IEFP and the Association of Cork Industries and Exporters of the North.

The Centro de Formação Profissional da Indústria Cortiça (Centre for Professional Training in the Cork Industry)- CINCORK – begins its activities at a rented factory in Paços de Brandão – still without the official signing of the agreement with the IEFP (Instituto do Emprego e Formação Profissional – Institute for Employment and Professional Training).

FILCORK – the International Cork Fair is held at the FIL (Feira Internacional de Lisboa (International Fair of Lisbon). Ramalho Eanes, President of the Republic, visits FILCORK.

November 10th, 1977 – The name is changed once again, to the Associação dos Industriais e Exportadores de Cortiça do Norte (Association of Cork Industries and Exporters of the North). It was a name that demonstrated a desire to win new markets beyond its borders.

The Association, under the chairmanship of Américo Amorim, forms the first Advertising Committee, a unique and visionary initiative at that time. Various foreign committees, particularly German and French, visited Portugal to learn more about the sector. This was the first step in promoting Portuguese cork and showcasing it to the world.

On the 25th of April, the corporations become extinct. The Guild has to alter its by-laws and become an association. The Associação dos Industriais de Cortiça do Norte (Association of Cork Industries of the North) is born. The dues were paid through the number of workers.

Commendator Henrique Amorim provides a plot of land for the construction of the new headquarters of the Association. With 580 contos (2900 euros) it builds its new home.

INACOR – Indústria de Aglomerados de Cortiça (Cork Conglomerates Industry) is granted an operating licence. And so the humble cork preparation and processing industry in the North of the country started to make use of recyclable waste from the third line of production, for the production of granulates and white and black conglomerates. In that same year, construction began on the first Amorim Cork Factory.

Dezember 6th, 1956 – The Regional Guild of Cork Industries of the North is founded. Each member country contributed 15 escudos (equivalent to seven Portuguese cents) a month. The first executive committee was comprised of Henrique Silva e Sousa (chairman), Joaquim Soares de Carvalho (secretary), and Joaquim Dias Rodrigues Pereira and Joaquim Almeida Lima (members of the board).