Ford Creates Plastics And Foam From Captured Carbon Dioxide

Ford has announced that it is the first automaker to make plastics and foam from captured CO2 (carbon dioxide). The materials will be finding their way into Ford vehicles in the next handful of years, and will help reduce petroleum usage by millions of pounds every year. This marks the latest biomaterial development for Ford, which already utilizes some other similarly enviro-friendly materials in its vehicles.

At the present, Ford's foam is made from up to 50-percent CO2-based polyols, and has been tested to meet automotive standards. According to the auto maker, this foam could be used in the company's cars within the next five years, being found under the hood and within seating.

By using the foam, Ford says it could contribute to an annual 600 million pounds' reduction in petroleum use, limiting the amount of fossil fuels used in Ford's cars while increasing the company's overall environmental friendliness. Ford is also working on creating plastics from captured CO2, decreasing the amount of oil used in the plastics industry.

Ford's Senior Tech Leader of Sustainability Debbie Mielewski said:

Ford is working aggressively to lower its environmental impact by reducing its use of petroleum-based plastic and foam. This technology is exciting because it is contributing to solving a seemingly insurmountable problem — climate change. We are thrilled to be leading the charge toward reducing carbon emissions and the effects of climate change.

SOURCE: Ford