See how #Ford and @JoseCuervo work together to give excess agave a second chance as potential car parts. #FarmToCarhttps://t.co/OmvRv11dSj
— Ford Drive Green (@FordDriveGreen) July 19, 2016
Depending on petroleum, a toxic substance that must be dredged up from the crust of the earth, is not very friendly toward the environment. Ford has been working since 2000 to develop new car materials created from plants, instead -- like the soy foam now found in most new Ford vehicles.
However, using renewable materials is only part of the solution. A holistic approach means using materials created by some other process, that otherwise would be discarded. This minimizes waste, and reduces pressure on new resources.
In this sense, Ford has found a perfect partner in Jose Cuervo®.
Jose Cuervo grows millions of agave plants, but only needs their nectar for making tequila. The rest of the plant has an uncertain fate. Ford is currently researching ways to use the leftover agave fiber to make strong and lightweight bioplastics.
"There are about 400 pounds of plastic on a typical car," said Debbie Mielewski, senior technical leader of Ford's materials sustainability research. "Our job is to find the right place for a green composite like this to help our impact on the planet. It is work that I'm really proud of, and it could have broad impact across numerous industries."
Visit Ford Lincoln Fairfield to learn more about how Ford can help you drive green.