Nowadays, environmentally-friendly products are increasingly popular among consumers. Although this cultural shift started only about a decade ago, one can argue that Ford Motor Company has been utilizing "green" technologies ever since the Model T era. The blue-oval automaker is now working to redefine the use of environmentally-friendly materials inside its upcoming vehicles and to recycle some other materials.
Soy fiber
The Ford Mustang, F-150 and full-size SUVs such as the Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator now pamper their owners thanks to soy-based seat foam. Producing this special material for the Mustang alone allows Ford to reduce its annual CO2 emissions by 275 tons. The technique will soon be used for other vehicles in the lineup.
Post-manufacturing materials
Another example of a rational use of materials is the 2008 Escape, which became the first vehicle in North America to use 100-percent recycled post-manufacturing materials. Among them are plastic bottles and polyester fibers. All these products would otherwise be wasted and harm the environment before finally decomposing hundreds of years later. For the automaker, this represents water savings of 600,000 gallons, electricity savings of 7 million kilowatts/hour and a 820-ton CO2 emission reduction.
Reusing rich materials
Ford innovated with its premium models such as the Lincoln MKR. The wood used to design the dashboard and interior trim comes from recycled oak that was reassembled one grain at a time to give it a rich, warm cachet. No additional trees had to be cut. The MKR's leather upholstery and floor mats are also made from recycled materials.
What the future has in store...
By 2009, the Lincoln MKS will get soft leathers that benefit from a chromeless tanning process and plant-based dyes. What's more, Ford is developing a new material to replace the fiberglass layer between the metallic roof and fabric headliner of its vehicles. In addition to being lighter than fiberglass, this biologically-produced material provides enhanced soundproofing and odor mitigation. Finally, Ford is working on other advanced techniques and substances to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its manufacturing processes.
photo:Ford
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| Lincoln MKR Concept |
Soy fiber
The Ford Mustang, F-150 and full-size SUVs such as the Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator now pamper their owners thanks to soy-based seat foam. Producing this special material for the Mustang alone allows Ford to reduce its annual CO2 emissions by 275 tons. The technique will soon be used for other vehicles in the lineup.
Post-manufacturing materials
Another example of a rational use of materials is the 2008 Escape, which became the first vehicle in North America to use 100-percent recycled post-manufacturing materials. Among them are plastic bottles and polyester fibers. All these products would otherwise be wasted and harm the environment before finally decomposing hundreds of years later. For the automaker, this represents water savings of 600,000 gallons, electricity savings of 7 million kilowatts/hour and a 820-ton CO2 emission reduction.
Reusing rich materials
Ford innovated with its premium models such as the Lincoln MKR. The wood used to design the dashboard and interior trim comes from recycled oak that was reassembled one grain at a time to give it a rich, warm cachet. No additional trees had to be cut. The MKR's leather upholstery and floor mats are also made from recycled materials.
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What the future has in store...
By 2009, the Lincoln MKS will get soft leathers that benefit from a chromeless tanning process and plant-based dyes. What's more, Ford is developing a new material to replace the fiberglass layer between the metallic roof and fabric headliner of its vehicles. In addition to being lighter than fiberglass, this biologically-produced material provides enhanced soundproofing and odor mitigation. Finally, Ford is working on other advanced techniques and substances to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its manufacturing processes.
photo:Ford