What is cork fabric?
Cork fabric is a flexible material made by laminating a thin layer of natural or agglomerated cork veneer onto selected textile or technical backings.
Unlike solid cork, cork fabric, also known as cork leather, is designed to be cut, glued, stitched, folded, or applied over different supports according to the final application. This makes it suitable for professional production in sectors such as footwear, leather goods, upholstery, bookbinding, accessories, interiors, and design.
Villani Leonello produces cork fabrics in Italy and supplies them in rolls, 140 cm width, with different backings, textures, finishes, and surface treatments.
Main B2B Applications of Cork Fabrics
Cork fabrics can be used in different B2B sectors where a natural, flexible, and distinctive surface is required.
Main applications include:
- Footwear: heel covering, wedge covering, insoles, footbeds, uppers, and shoe components
- Leather goods: bags, wallets, small leather goods, accessories, and fashion details
- Upholstery and interiors: wallcoverings, panels, seating, poufs, and decorative surfaces
- Bookbinding: menu covers, hotel folders, notebooks, diaries, and planners
- Orthotics: stretch cork fabric for orthotic insoles and footbed coverings
- Installations and retail interiors: display units, showrooms, panels, and custom surfaces
For each application, the most suitable cork texture, backing, and finish should be selected according to the product, production process, and expected use.
Technical construction and backings
The choice of backing affects thickness, flexibility, hand feel, workability, and suitability for each application.
Available backings include:
- R10 coagulated PU backing: versatile option for footwear, leather goods, and general applications
- R05 coated backing: softer and more textile-like hand
- R12 cotton backing: natural textile backing for selected applications
- R13 upholstery backing: designed for upholstery and interior applications
- Backing A – 100% polyester: thinner option for applications requiring reduced thickness
- TENCEL™ Lyocell backing: softer textile backing for selected cork fabric versions
Technical data sheets are available to help customers choose the most suitable construction for their production process.
Textures, finishes, and surface treatments
Cork fabrics are available with different natural, agglomerated, coloured, printed, and laser-cut cork textures.
The choice depends on the desired visual effect, target market, and final application. Coloured cork fabrics are produced using colouring products also used in the leather sector, while printed cork can be developed through digital printing or transfer printing.
Surface treatments can be selected according to the intended use. Cork fabric can be made water-repellent through a specific surface treatment.
Safety, REACH, and sustainability
Our cork fabrics are produced in accordance with European REACH regulations and are developed for professional applications where material control and technical documentation are important.
The main cork fabric production process does not require water, except for specific surface treatments. This is an important aspect of our production approach and helps reduce resource use in the core lamination process.
For each application, we recommend evaluating the material according to backing, thickness, surface treatment, flexibility, production process, and expected use.
Catalogs
Download the main cork leather catalogues and technical data sheets to evaluate available textures, backings, finishes, and material constructions.
For specific applications such as footwear, upholstery, bookbinding, or installations, please visit the dedicated product pages.
