Tuesday, October 11, 2011 Ford Goes Coconuts!
 Ford is researching the use of coconut fibre reinforcement for molded plastic parts. Over the past several years, Ford has concentrated on increasing the use of nonmetal recycled and bio-based materials to reduce its carbon footprint. Materials already in use include soy foam seat cushions and head restraints, wheat straw-filled plastic bins and castor oil foam in instrument panels
The coconut fibres are combined with plastic to deliver additional reinforcement to car part while reducing the need for petroleum. Along with making use of a renewable resource, the new part would be lighter in weight.
In the interior, the material could be used in storage bins, door trim, seat trim or centre console substrates. It could also potentially be used on underbody and exterior trim. Coconut fibres are very difficult to burn, so Ford is researching whether this material has natural flame-retardant properties.
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