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| Ford is returning to founder Henry's dream to make cars with bioplastics. |
THE New York Times of
August 14, 1941, reported that Henry Ford had plans to make panels for the T
Model from 50% southern slash pine fibre, 30% straw, 10% hemp and 10% ramie, the
material used by the ancient Egyptians to encase mummies.
Ford proved that the plastic panels were 10 times stronger than
steel by hitting them with an axe and failing to make a dent. The same axe
sliced right through the metal panels used at the time.
In Dearborn, the Ford designers have returned to these roots by
teaming up with Jose Cuervo to explore the use of the tequila producer’s agave
plant by-product to develop more sustainable bioplastics to employ in Ford
vehicles.
Ford and Jose Cuervo are testing the bioplastic for use in vehicle
interior and exterior components such as wiring harnesses, HVAC units and
storage bins. Initial assessments suggest the material holds great promise due
to its durability and aesthetic qualities. Success in developing a sustainable
composite could reduce vehicle weight and lower energy consumption, while paring
the use of petrochemicals and the impact of vehicle production on the
environment.
“At Ford, we aim to reduce our impact on the environment,” said
Debbie Mielewski, Ford senior technical leader, sustainability research
department. “As a leader in the sustainability space, we are developing new
technologies to employ efficiently discarded materials and fibres, while
potentially reducing the use of petrochemicals and light-weighting our vehicles
for desired fuel economy.”
The growth cycle of the agave plant is a minimum seven-year
process. Once harvested, the heart of the plant is roasted, before grinding and
extracting its juices for distillation. Jose Cuervo uses a portion of the
remaining agave fibres as compost for its farms and local artisans make crafts
and agave paper from the remnants.
Now, as part of Jose Cuervo’s broader sustainability plan, the
tequila maker is joining forces with the automaker to develop a new way to use
its remnant fibres.
“Jose Cuervo is proud to be working with Ford to further develop
our agave sustainability plan,” said Sonia Espinola, director of heritage for
Cuervo Foundation and master tequilera. “As the world’s number-one selling
tequila, we could never have imagined the hundreds of agave plants we were
cultivating as a small family business would eventually multiply to millions.
This collaboration brings two great companies together to develop innovative,
Earth-conscious materials.”
Like Ford Motor Company, Jose Cuervo is family owned and operated.
Founded in 1795, it has been making tequila for more than 220 years with the
same experience, craftsmanship and recipes.
The collaboration with Jose Cuervo is the latest example of Ford’s
innovative approach to product and environmental stewardship through the use of
biomaterials. Ford began researching the use of sustainable materials in its
vehicles in 2000. Today, the automaker uses eight sustainable-based materials in
its vehicles, including soy foam, castor oil, wheat straw, kenaf fibre,
cellulose, wood, coconut fibre and rice hulls.
According to the United Nations Environment Programme, five billion
metric tons of agricultural biomass waste is produced annually. A by-product of
agriculture, the supply of materials is abundant and often underutilised. Yet
the materials can be relatively low cost, and can help manufacturers to offset
the use of glass fibres and talc for more sustainable, lightweight products.
“There are about [181 kg] of plastic in a typical car,” said
Mielewski. “Our job is to find the right place for a green composite like this
to help our impact on the planet.” — WR.
