Ford Motor is testing non biodegradable bioplastics made from 20 % agave fibre waste, the plant used to make tequila. This could make cars lighter and improve fuel economy.
Deborah Mielewski, Ford Research’s senior technical leader for materials sustainability said
“You’re not growing this fibre specifically for automobile parts – you’re growing it for the lovely tequila, so this is a waste product. We’re looking at a big variety of natural materials or even waste from agriculture (and) the food industry … to reduce our impact, but also to participate in a more closed-loop economy.”
Ford was one of the first car manufacturer to use bioplastics in car parts. They’re currently using soy-based foam for seats and are looking at bamboo, hemp, oat hulls and rubber from dandelions to produce bioplastics.
Agave is a genus of monocots native to the hot and arid regions of Mexico and the Southwestern United States. Some agave species are also native to tropical areas of South America.
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