“ketchup” with ford’s latest innovative idea!
TRANSCRIPT
“Ketchup” with Ford’s Latest Innovative Idea!
The last thing most car buyers would expect to show up at the Lincoln dealership is a car made
from parts that come from tomatoes. Nonetheless, Ford Motor Company and H.J. Heinz
Company are exploring the option of turning tomato skins into bioplastics. There’s a world of
difference between tomato ketchup and cars, but it looks like they may soon be made from a
similar resource, at least to some degree. If the goal to make the tomato fibers sustainable as
bioplastics is reached, the two companies believe they could use them to make car parts such as
wiring brackets and storage bins.
The goal is to create a strong, yet lightweight, material that is both environmentally friendly and
which meets the requirements for the Ford vehicles. The collaboration makes sense, with regards
to the more than 2 million tons of tomatoes used by the Heinz Company and the resulting seeds,
stems, and skins that are so far not useful for anything. At a time when vehicle makers are
looking for better solutions to replace petroleum-based materials in the construction of their
vehicles, success would be a feather in the cap for both companies, for reducing waste and
improving the environmental impact caused from manufacturing the petroleum-based products.
New Take on an Old Idea
As far-fetched as this idea may seem, it isn’t the first time plants have been used to create
plastics. Those made from corn are frequently used to make to-go cups and other products. In
fact, it isn’t an entirely new idea for Ford. They have already introduced some alternative
materials into their vehicles, such as the electrical cowl brackets that are filled with rice hulls,
soy-foam cushions, and reinforcement of console components with cellulose fibers. The use of
sustainable fabric is first on the list for Ford Motor Company’s list of green initiatives.
Green Initiatives from Ford Motor Company
When car buyers shop at a reliable Indianapolis Ford dealers like Bloomington Ford, they can
have peace of mind knowing that they are getting a good deal on a vehicle that has been
manufactured by a company that has a genuine desire to improve the environment. Ford’s list of
green initiatives includes:
The makers of Lincoln, Ford and Mercury are leaders in fuel-efficient 6-spped transmissions.
Leading the way in the diesel revolution, starting with the 2008 Super Duty clean diesel
engine.
Installation of almost 200 acres of sustainable landscaping to conserve natural resources and
improve the habitat.
Two-time winner of EPA’s Energy Star Award for their efforts to increase energy efficiency
and reduce the greenhouse gas emissions produced at their facilities.
Makers of the Ford Escape and Focus, both of which are over 80% recyclable, in comparison
with the average of 75% for other automobiles.
The Fumes-to-Fuel system that burns paint fumes to produce electricity at their Michigan
Truck Plant.
The implementation of a geothermal cooling system in their Lima Ohio engine plant.
The implementation of the Interceptor in the Crown Victoria Police cars to allow flexible fuel
capability between E85 ethanol and gasoline.
The Dearborn truck plant is home to the world’s largest living roof.
The latest attempt to incorporate natural waste into useable materials is the most recent example
of Ford Motor Company’s commitment to improve the impact that driving has on the
environment. When you visit the Bloomington auto dealers to shop for a quality new or used
Ford vehicle, you have even more reasons to feel good about the choice to buy a Ford.