For nearly 20 years, Ford Motor Company has sought ways to limit its environmental impact be exploring alternatives to traditional building materials. In North America, every Ford vehicle uses soy foam. Additionally, the automaker uses recycled tires in mirror gaskets, recycled denim and t-shirts for carpeting, and recycled plastic bottles make up a large part of the REPREVE seating fabric used in the 2016 F-150.
Yesterday, Ford issued a press release announcing another development in the field of alternative build materials. The automaker is now the first in the industry to create and test foam and plastic components made from carbon dioxide feedstock. The innovative materials, which could help Ford reduce petroleum usage by more than 600 million pounds a year, have already passed rigorous test standards. Researchers expect to see the material used in production vehicles within the next five years.
“Ford is working aggressively to lower its environmental impact by reducing its use of petroleum-based plastic and foam,” said Debbie Mielewski, Ford senior technical leader of sustainability. “This technology is exciting because it is contributing to solving a seemingly insurmountable problem – climate change. We are thrilled to be leading the charge toward reducing carbon emissions and the effects of climate change.”
".@Ford Turning Captured CO2 Into Car Parts, Expanding Healthcare Outreach in Africa https://t.co/wt7GZECo2x"
— Sustainable Brands (@SustainBrands) May 17, 2016