Researchers from Spain, Portugal and Italy specialized in the study of forest systems and products are meeting this Thursday 10 in Mérida for the conference “Synergies for the progress of R&D&i in the cork sector: from the field to the ‘industry “.
He aim is to materialize consortia and innovative projects that promote progress, competitiveness and sustainability of the cork sector.
During a working day, they will share their work and knowledge on all links in the value chainfrom the cork oak and its ecosystem, to cork and the industry that supports it, reports the Junta de Extremadura in a press release.
The European Network of Territories of Liège (Retecork) and the Extremadura Scientific and Technological Research Center are organizing this event, which will bring together experts from seven entities of the cork territories Network partners who share issues and challenges even if they are geographically distant.
The Institute of Forest Sciences participates in the meeting; Madrid Institute for Rural, Agrarian and Food Research and Development; National Institute of Agronomic and Veterinary Research; Sobreiro e da Cortiça Competence Center; Agency for Ricerca in Agricoltura, Centro Tecnológico da Cortiça and Cicytex.
With this in mind, three working groups will be formed to address issues having a direct impact on the conservation and use of the cork oakssuch as the incidence of diseases and pests, adaptation to climate change, genetic improvement as a resource to obtain more tolerant forest species or the implementation of measures of proven effectiveness for the good management of stands.
Inside industrial fieldthey also plan to work together on projects aimed at valorizing cork, improving its quality and testing new products, in addition to strengthening R&D&I in the cork industry in order to optimize processes and products.
The meeting will take place in the facilities of the Institute of Cork, Wood and Coal of Mérida and will begin with the intervention of the director of Cicytex, Carmen González; the mayor of San Vicente de Alcántara and president of the General Assembly of Retecork, Andrés Hernáiz; and the president of the Municipal Chamber of Coruche and the Executive Commission of Retecork, Francisco Silvestre de Oliveira.
