Ford decided to test the use of waste leaves from the olive harvest in car parts
As you know, olive trees produce a fruit that is consumed around the world in the form of snacks, oil and even olive paste. Now, Ford has explored the possibility of using the branches and leaves discarded during harvesting to make more sustainable parts in her vehicles.
The trial was conducted as part of the COMPOlive programme, which is committed to achieving environmental change in olive oil production, using biocomposites instead of plastic and supporting the circular economy.
Using residues from the olive harvest to produce parts in modern cars could significantly reduce the amount of plastic used in them. At the same time, such a process could well support the goals for cleaner air by avoiding the burning of branches and leaves that are discarded when harvesting this precious fruit. As part of the test carried out, Ford engineers built prototype footrests, as well as individual parts of the luggage compartment, using the above residues from the olive harvest. Tests have shown the parts produced are robust and durable, with Ford now evaluating the entire process for mass use in its next wave of all-electric vehicles.
For the purposes of the test, the residues came from olive groves in Andalusia, Spain, the region with the highest olive oil production in the world.
In the first phase, engineers at Ford’s European headquarters in Cologne, Germany, used intelligent simulation technology to test the utility of olive trees in terms of durability, strength and formability, and were then able to proceed with the construction of the original parts. Composed of 40% fiber and 60% recycled polypropylene plastic, the resulting substance was heated and injection molded into the shape of the chosen part.
Together with its partners around the world, Ford is achieving measurable benefits against ambitious environmental sustainability goals. The Road to Better is Ford’s commitment to building a more sustainable, inclusive and just future in transportation, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams.
The COMPOlive program, which ran from 2020 to 2023, had to adapt to travel restrictions imposed by the pandemic. His partners met in person for the first time about two and a half years after the start of the project.
Source: Skai
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