AUTOMAKERS IN SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS PUSH

The Detroit Auto Show this year gave us a glimpse of eco friendly material solutions for the auto industry.

Amongst the usual metal and plastic of the domestic automotive industry, you can find unusual materials such as citrus peel, recycled water bottles, and our favourite hemp.

The public are becoming more aware of the need for better materials. As a response, manufacturers are finding it increasingly important to improve the sustainability of the materials they use in your car.

BMW showed us back in 2013 that eucalyptus fibres could be used, in the dashboard of their hybrid i3 model. Before that, VW subtly put pineapples in the parcel shelf of the Fox. Little changes which required little compromise.

This year, Ford made a bold move by saying that all of the vehicles made for the North American market will have at least 30% recycled content in the seat fabrics. “It’s the right thing to do, for the environment, for ourselves and our customers,” said Barb Whalen, Ford’s colour, material and design manager. This flys in the face of the recent drop in crude oil prices, and therefore more traditional materials, making Ford’s commitment even more impressive.

What’s more, we’re fairly sure that 99% of the buying public won’t even notice the difference.

Parts suppliers are waking up to this too, realising that natural materials have a tendency to weigh less than synthetic materials. According to Pierre Demortain of French supplier Faurecia, “Hemp… can reduce door weight by 25%”. Cars are now getting lighter with every generation, which is good news for fuel economy, greenhouse gasses, and makes the cars more fun to drive! Faurecia are expecting all of their output to be 100% natural based within 2-3 years. At the moment, they simply mix hemp with petroleum materials for plastic.

Tyres are also under the spotlight. “Tyres are today composed about 75% from petroleum-based products and 25% from natural rubber trees.” reports Tangi Quemener, AFP.

Both Michelin and Continental have made claims to be actively pursuing a more sustainable tyre. Continental are looking at Taraxgum, a plant often dubbed ‘Russian dandelion’ which can behave similarly to latex from rubber trees.

Michelin’s Terry Willer says “it’s difficult to imagine doubling the number of rubber plants”, so they are looking at creating synthetic rubber from sugars derived from biomass. They are also considering the use of sunflower oil to increase the flexibility of the tyre in cold conditions.

The development of new materials in car production goes through rigorous testing and perfecting, therefore it isn’t quick. But it would be interesting to measure progress on this in 2 years time, and perhaps allow us to produce cars with less of an impact on the environment.

Original article by Agence France-Presse, via Industry Week.

Image copyright to Ford USA.