Ford Escape Uses Plant to Reduce Weight

From Ford.com:

•Kenaf, a tropical plant related to cotton and okra plants, is being used to replace oil-based materials in the doors of the all-new Ford Escape.

•Use of this eco-friendly material is anticipated to offset 300,000 pounds of oil-based resin annually in North America

•Kenaf reduces the weight of the door bolsters by 25 percent and improves fuel economy

•Kenaf is also used in cosmetics and kenaf fiber is an alternative to wood to make paper and cardboard; its leaves are edible

The new Escape, which will be available to customers this spring, features several eco-friendly components in addition to the kenaf inside the doors.

Materials that are recycled, renewable, and that reduce impact on the environment include soy foam in the seats and head restraints; plastic bottles and other post-consumer and post-industrial materials in the carpeting; climate control gaskets made from recycled tires; and more than 10 pounds of scrap cotton from the making of denim jeans.

Wide use of more environmentally friendly, recycled and recyclable materials complements the projected best-in-class fuel economy of the all-new Ford Escape, further boosting the vehicle’s environmentally responsible credentials. The new Escape meets the USCAR Vehicle Recycling Partnership goal that 85 percent of the vehicle is recyclable.

Read entire article here.

Learn more about Ford's commitment to renewable and recycled materials at Lakewood Fordland.