Press release
Source: Ford
Say “soy foam” to some people and they might get a craving for a low-fat heart-healthy decaf cappuccino. If they make their morning “coffee run” in a 2008-or-later Ford Motor Company vehicle, there is an excellent chance they’ll be sitting on a type of soy-based foam already. That’s because Ford leads the industry in the use of this renewable bio-material, with the seat backs and cushions in eight of its vehicle platforms already containing soy foam.
Ford’s innovative use of environmentally friendly, soy-based foam has earned six prestigious awards to date, including the 2009 R&D 100 Award, R&D Magazine announced today. The award honors the latest technology developments across numerous industries that are designed to meet societal, scientific, or business challenges. Ford shares the honor with supplier Lear Corp.
Use of Soy Foam Expanding
Ford has a rich history in incorporating soy- based materials into its products. The Model T, for example, once contained 60 pounds of soybeans in its paint and molded plastic parts. Ford was the first automaker in the world to demonstrate that soy-based polyols could be used at high percentage levels to make foam capable of meeting or exceeding automotive requirements. In 2004 Ford and Lear formed a partnership to commercialize soy-foam applications.
In August 2007 Ford introduced soy- foam seats on the 2008 Ford Mustang, and has since placed soy- foam seats in the Ford Expedition, F-150, Escape and Focus, as well as Mercury Mariner, Lincoln Navigator, Lincoln MKS and Mazda Tribute. By the end of the 2009 model year, more than 1 million Ford Motor Company vehicles will contain soy foam seats.
Ford continues to pursue new applications for soy foam including seats on additional Ford vehicle platforms in the near future, and soy-based padding in vehicle headliners. In addition, Ford scientists also are working on ways to use other parts of the versatile legume – such as soy flour and soy meal – in various automotive plastics for such parts as floor mats, door seals and underbody shields. The United Soybean Board sponsors some of the research for both soy foam and soy fillers in plastics.
Source: Ford
Say “soy foam” to some people and they might get a craving for a low-fat heart-healthy decaf cappuccino. If they make their morning “coffee run” in a 2008-or-later Ford Motor Company vehicle, there is an excellent chance they’ll be sitting on a type of soy-based foam already. That’s because Ford leads the industry in the use of this renewable bio-material, with the seat backs and cushions in eight of its vehicle platforms already containing soy foam.
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| Ford Mustang Soy-Based Foam Seat |
Ford’s innovative use of environmentally friendly, soy-based foam has earned six prestigious awards to date, including the 2009 R&D 100 Award, R&D Magazine announced today. The award honors the latest technology developments across numerous industries that are designed to meet societal, scientific, or business challenges. Ford shares the honor with supplier Lear Corp.
Use of Soy Foam Expanding
Ford has a rich history in incorporating soy- based materials into its products. The Model T, for example, once contained 60 pounds of soybeans in its paint and molded plastic parts. Ford was the first automaker in the world to demonstrate that soy-based polyols could be used at high percentage levels to make foam capable of meeting or exceeding automotive requirements. In 2004 Ford and Lear formed a partnership to commercialize soy-foam applications.
In August 2007 Ford introduced soy- foam seats on the 2008 Ford Mustang, and has since placed soy- foam seats in the Ford Expedition, F-150, Escape and Focus, as well as Mercury Mariner, Lincoln Navigator, Lincoln MKS and Mazda Tribute. By the end of the 2009 model year, more than 1 million Ford Motor Company vehicles will contain soy foam seats.
Ford continues to pursue new applications for soy foam including seats on additional Ford vehicle platforms in the near future, and soy-based padding in vehicle headliners. In addition, Ford scientists also are working on ways to use other parts of the versatile legume – such as soy flour and soy meal – in various automotive plastics for such parts as floor mats, door seals and underbody shields. The United Soybean Board sponsors some of the research for both soy foam and soy fillers in plastics.
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| Lincoln MKR Concept Soy-Based Seats |