Ford engineers have launched the COMPOlive research project to explore how food waste can be re-purposed to create car parts with sustainability performance.
The trial focused on plant waste from the olive harvest, using branches, fibres and leaves from olive groves in Andalusia. Every year, the pruning of olive trees generates 7 million tonnes of waste.
Ford has formulated a bio-composite material ideal for injection moulding, consisted of 40% olive tree fibers and 60% recycled polypropylene, with which automotive components such as footrests and boot parts could be made.
The possibility of using this new circular material inside Ford’s forthcoming vehicles will reduce the amount of plastic used inside vehicles, reduce the carbon footprint of automotive components, and bring the company closer to its goal of using more recycled and renewable plastics.
Ford, future applications from olive waste
Category
End of Life