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Ford is the first automaker to develop foams and plastics using
captured carbon dioxide for its vehicle lineup; anticipated use
includes seating and underhood applications
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Foams formulated with up to 50 percent CO2-based polyols
could reduce petroleum use by more than 600 million pounds annually
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Ford researchers foresee the new materials going into production
vehicles within five years; future goals include developing other
plastic materials using captured carbon to help reduce further the
need for fossil fuel-based plastics
Company Website:
http://corporate.ford.com/
DEARBORN, Mich. -- (Business Wire)
Ford Motor Company is the first automaker to formulate and test new foam
and plastic components using carbon dioxide as feedstock. Researchers
expect to see the new biomaterials in Ford production vehicles within
five years.
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Ford Motor Company is the first automaker to formulate and test new foam and plastic components using carbon dioxide as feedstock. Researchers expect to see the new biomaterials in Ford production vehicles within five years. (Graphic: Business Wire)
Formulated with up to 50 percent CO2-based polyols, the foam
is showing promise as it meets rigorous automotive test standards. It
could be employed in seating and underhood applications, potentially
reducing petroleum use by more than 600 million pounds annually – enough
to fill nearly 35,000 American homes. CO2-derivedfoam
will further reduce the use of fossil fuels in Ford vehicles and
increase the presence of sustainable foam in the automaker’s global
lineup.
“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.”
Carbon emissions and climate change are of growing concern to world
leaders as a staggering 2.4 million pounds of CO2 are
released into the atmosphere globally per second. Plastic manufacturing
accounts for nearly 4 percent of the world’s oil use, according to
British Plastic Federation. Ford researchers are hopeful the company’s
early steps to use captured carbon in innovative ways will help achieve
the long-term goals to reduce global warming recently set in the UN
Paris Agreement.
For nearly two decades, researchers have worked successfully to develop
sustainable materials for Ford products. In North America, soy foam is
in every Ford vehicle. Coconut fiber backs trunk liners; recycled tires
and soy are in mirror gaskets; recycled T-shirts and denim go into
carpeting; and recycled plastic bottles become REPREVE fabric used in
the 2016 F-150.
Ford began working with several companies, suppliers and universities in
2013 to find applications for captured CO2. Among them is
Novomer – a New York-based company that utilizes carbon dioxide captured
from manufacturing plants to produce innovative materials. Through a
system of conversions, Novomer produces a polymer than can be formulated
into a variety of materials including foam and plastic that are easily
recyclable.
“Novomer is excited by the pioneering work Ford has completed with our
Converge® CO2-based polyols,” said Peter Shepard,
Novomer chief business officer. “It takes bold, innovative companies
such as Ford to enable new technologies to become mainstream products.”
Ford is pleased to be in the vanguard – the first automaker – to embark
on a course toward reducing carbon emissions.
“At Ford, we’re aggressively developing new, more sustainable ways to
produce high-quality products, with an eye toward preserving and
improving our world,” said Mielewski.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford
Motor Company is a global automotive and mobility company
based in Dearborn, Michigan. With about 201,000 employees and 67 plants
worldwide, the company’s core business includes designing,
manufacturing, marketing, financing and servicing a full line of Ford
cars, trucks, SUVs and electrified vehicles, as well as Lincoln luxury
vehicles. At the same time, Ford is aggressively pursuing emerging
opportunities through Ford Smart Mobility, the company’s plan to be a
leader in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer
experience, and data and analytics. The company provides financial
services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information
regarding Ford and its products worldwide or Ford Motor Credit Company,
visit www.corporate.ford.com.
For news releases, related materials and high-resolution photos and
video, visit www.media.ford.com.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160516006759/en/
Contacts:
Ford Motor Company
John Cangany
313.317.7691
jcangany@ford.com
Source: Ford Motor Company
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