Source: Ford Using Tequila Producer Jose Cuervo’s Agave Plants to Meet Sustainability Goals Ford Motor Co. is tapping into tequila producer Jose Cuervo’s discarded agave plant fibers for lightweighting and sustainability goals. Agave plants, used in tequila production, take at least seven years to mature. The fibers are typically used as compost or in papermaking. Ford is working with Jose Cuervo on another goal: to turn discarded agave plant fibers into bioplastic parts for Ford vehicles. . . . The work with Jose Cuervo is in the research stage and there’s no timeline for bioplastic production, Ford said. Hummm, almost quitting time. I'll help ... Bob Wilson ps. No one is suggesting driving after helping in the 'research.'
Sounds like they are looking into adding fibers to reinforce a plastic. The plastic itself doesn't have to a bio-plastic. Plain old petro plastic could be used, but the fibers will displace some of it and reduce the amount needed for a part.
Rumored:-Incredibly untrue After several bottles, they start discussing the Ford Cuervo. It's a concept vehicle...slurr the word concept when you say it. "Kahn-shept" It's sort of a cross between a Nissan Juke and the old Pontiac Aztec. Production progress has never gone beyond hastily scribbled drawings on the back of cocktail napkins.
If Ford needs Jose Cuervo to produce more product so they'll have more discarded fiber - I'll raise my hand for that . . . givin' back to the community ... that's just the way I roll ... .
Glad to see more use out of former "waste" products... -------------------------------------------------------------------------- From the Gen III New Car Features: (j) Ecological Plastic (1) Ecological plastic is used for some interior parts. The ecological plastic is made from plants which consume carbon dioxide to grow by photosynthesis. After any vehicle parts that are manufactured from the ecological plastic are used, they are disposed of by thermal recycling with combustion, emitting carbon dioxide into the air. However, this carbon dioxide never increases the amount of carbon dioxide emissions in the air since it is the captured carbon dioxide created in photosynthesis. As a result, petroleum can be saved and also carbon dioxide emissions in the air can be decreased. The following parts are made of 2 kinds of ecological plastic materials. · Injection molded parts made of alloy materials including polylactic acid (PLA) made of plant materials from corn and polypropylene (PP) are used for the cowl side trim, scuff plate and deck trim cover. · Form-molded parts that are made of plant oil-based polyurethane materials containing 15% ricinus oil are used for the driver's seat cushion pad.
