Alcorke Playground

Upcycles used cork stoppers into sustainable materials for urban tree pits and playground pavements

Alcorke Playground is a circular economy project led by the Institut Català del Suro Foundation that gives a second life to used natural cork stoppers. Cork waste is collected, shredded, and combined with binders to create material suitable for tree surrounds and playground pavement applications. The project aims to replace non-renewable raw materials currently used in urban spaces, such as gravel and metals, with a renewable and biodegradable alternative. Supported by the Waste Agency of Catalonia, Alcorke seeks to reduce environmental impact, promote cork reuse, and advance sustainable urban design practices in Catalonia.

Contact information

Ester Campmajó, R+D+I Technician, IC Suro (Catalonia, Spain)

📧 ecampmajo @ icsuro.com 🌐 Website

Impact sector

• Circular economy
• Recreation, well-being and eco-tourism

Innovation type

• Product innovation

Biomass type

• Industry side streams
• Non-wood forest products

Learn more

Advanced BioComposites (ABC) is a technology company developing sustainable composite materials for industrial manufacturing.

Voodin Blade Technology develops wind turbine blades using LVL, an alternative to conventional fibreglass and carbon-composite blades.

Roka Furadada specialises in the development of innovative molecules and active ingredients for use in cosmetics and personal care.

Bagaceira develops innovative bio-based materials using sugarcane bagasse, the fibrous residue from sugar and alcohol production.

Boreal Bioproducts is a biorefinery startup that produces bio-based chemical extracts from forest-industry side streams such as sawdust and bark.

RMT Insulation develops natural insulation solutions using renewable natural fibres as alternatives to synthetic materials.

This innovation focuses on producing mycelium-based biocomposite (MBB) insulation panels using waste wood as the primary feedstock.

Sebastia is a timber construction company with roots in a family wood-working tradition dating back to 1954.

ParaStruct works to decarbonise the construction industry by applying circular economy principles to building materials.

Explore the innovations presented at the Bioeconomy Innovation Day 2025 in a factsheet format.

• Category: Resources, Factsheets
• Tag: BID2025 factsheets