Cork; natural cork, debacked or roughly squared, or in rectangular (including square) blocks, plates, sheets or strip, (including sharp-edged blanks for corks or stoppers)

HS code 450200 covers natural cork products, including debacked or roughly squared cork, as well as cork in the form of rectangular blocks, plates, sheets, or strips. This industry is an important part of the broader forestry and wood products sector, providing a sustainable and versatile material with a wide range of applications across various industries.

The production of natural cork products under HS code 450200 typically involves harvesting cork oak trees, removing the bark, and then processing the raw cork material. This may include drying, boiling, and cutting the cork into the desired shapes and sizes. The cork is then sorted, graded, and prepared for use in applications such as bottle stoppers, insulation, and decorative items.

The main inputs required for the production of natural cork products under HS code 450200 include the raw cork material harvested from cork oak trees, as well as specialized machinery and equipment for processing the cork. Additionally, energy sources, such as electricity or fuel, may be needed to power the production facilities.

The primary outputs of the industry covered by HS code 450200 are various natural cork products, including blocks, plates, sheets, and strips. These cork products are then used as inputs for a wide range of industries, such as the 442000 Manufacture of articles of cork, straw and plaiting materials industry, the 222200 Manufacture of plastic products industry for the production of plastic-cork composites, and the 110300 Manufacture of cider and other fruit wines industry for the production of wine bottle stoppers.