Playing for a Better World: Korko’s Sustainable Toy Concept

In today’s world, sustainability and social responsibility are becoming increasingly important across all industries—including the toy sector. Parents and educators are looking for products that not only entertain but also inspire children to think about their environment and the impact of their choices. Toys have the power to shape values, spark curiosity, and encourage creative learning from an early age. The materials used and the story behind each product are now just as important as the play value itself.
 

Korko is a company that has embraced this shift. At the heart of Korko stands founder Gustavo Cunha, who believes that economic success and environmental responsibility go hand in hand. Korko combines tradition with innovation, offering toys made from 100% natural, renewable Portuguese cork. 
Each product is designed to inspire creativity and educate children about the importance of sustainability, turning every playtime into a meaningful step towards a greener future.

Interview with Gustavo Cunha

Mr. Cunha, would you introduce Korko and share what your company stands for?

Amorim Cork Solutions researches, develops and produces high performance cork solutions for all possible groundbreaking applications, apart from the well-known cork stoppers. The company aims to redesign the world in a sustainable manner, and attributes new forms, uses and functionalities to cork, in response to major challenges. Hape is a world-leading educational toy brand. We endeavour to foster children’s curiosity through play and prepare them for a better world ahead. Korko combines the expertise of both companies to offer a platform that makes high-quality, sustainable, educational toys accessible for every child.

 

What was the vision behind the founding of Korko? 

Korko gifts children with one thing above all else: appreciation for nature and its treasures. However, that isn’t all: Korko also provides children with a feel for sustainable materials, their quality and potential, even at a young age. These small explorers will discover everything that the natural world has to offer. Exciting shapes and colours inspire creativity, spatial thinking and fine motor skills, to name just a few. For small architects and artists! Korko is durable, non-slip, light and quiet – sustainable fun during play for children and parents that will accompany you for years.
 

Why did you choose cork as the material for your products?

Korko provides creative educational toys made of 100% Portuguese cork – one of the most sustainable materials in the world. Nature is our greatest asset, just like our children.  Our children will build our future. Even at a young age, sustainability should not be a luxury, but rather a matter of course. Parents and children bring nature into their home with cork. Our toys are made of 100% natural cork, which is renewable, biodegradable, recyclable, carbon negative, and comes without any harmful chemicals. This material is naturally carbon-neutral and helps capture up to 4.6 million tons of CO2 annually, significantly contributing to the fight against climate change. Additionally, cork is antibacterial, anti-static, soft, and lightweight, making it ideal for young children and ensuring a safe and healthy play environment.
 

How does the manufacturing process of your products look like? 

The cork used in our toys is carefully granulated, molded, and treated to obtain perfect shapes. They are then dyed with water-based colors, creating attractive and low-maintenance products. In addition to sustainable manufacturing, Korko toys are designed to inspire creativity and improve children's dexterity, turning each play session into an opportunity to learn and explore new ideas.
 

What was your biggest challenge?

Sustainable cork products are still relatively unknown among both end customers and B2B buyers, which means they are a bit more challenging to sell. On both sides there is a sense of uncertainty about the material — uncertainty that is basically groundless. Our cork toys stand out because, unlike many competitors, they are made from compressed cork granulate that is glued for added strength. This results in significantly higher stability, making our products perfectly suited for small children’s hands.
 

Which of your products has been the most popular so far? 

The Tall and Small Architects are among the bestsellers in the building blocks segment. Building with Korkos Architects is particularly easy: the sets consist of 20, 40, or 60 colorful cork blocks and allow for gentle, lightweight play. Made from sustainable cork, these blocks offer an environmentally conscious way to encourage creativity. Quiet building with cork supports the development of fine motor skills and ensures a safe and calmer playtime.

 


 

What prompted you to participate as an exhibitor at Spielwarenmesse? 

Spielwarenmesse is the leading international platform for the global toy industry. It brings together manufacturers, retailers, innovators, and thought leaders from all around the world. For us, it represents the perfect opportunity to exchange ideas, present new developments, and engage directly with partners who value sustainable and educational products. Being part of this community strengthens our international presence, fosters valuable collaborations, and allows us to showcase the potential of cork as a future-proof material for children’s toys.
 

What is your favourite memory of Spielwarenmesse? 

Our favourite memory goes back to our debuting edition, in 2023, as we proudly stepped foot in Korko’s exhibiting spot for the very first time. It was truly special to enter in Spielwarenmesse’s reality, as well as getting to do our first steps in the world of toys. Seeing everyone excited with our project’s idea and with our toys at that time was captivating and definitely gave us that extra motivation to keep moving forward with Korko. It was also the perfect moment to show some of our prototypes at the time, which turned out to be award-winning toys later on.
 

What are your plans for the future for Korko? 

Over the past years, we developed a wide range of unique, sustainable cork products. Now, our focus is on bringing these innovations to an even broader global market. With every Korko product sold, we make the world a little better—supporting sustainable forestry, reducing our carbon footprint, and offering children safe, eco-conscious toys. We aim to expand our assortment, build stronger international partnerships, and continue raising awareness for cork as one of the most sustainable materials in the world. Our mission remains clear: inspiring future generations while protecting the planet they will inherit.