Ford forges ahead with biobased materials, creates olive grove waste prototypes

In Spain, leading automaker Ford is expanding its slate of biobased materials used in car parts to olive tree waste such as branches and leaves. The work is part of the COMPOlive project, which is working to find alternative uses for Andalusia’s olive grove waste. The region is one of the largest olive-growing regions in the world.

At Cologne, Germany, Ford has already conducted usability tests for prototype footrests that are 40% comprised of fibers made from the olive tree waste and 60% from recycled polypropylene. Prototype trunk parts have also been manufactured.

Ford was among the first automakers to explore biobased materials in its vehicles. Its first efforts, introduced over a decade ago, include soy-based wiring insulation and soy foam seats.