Ford and Jose Cuervo develop new bioplastic materials – Terra Chile

As part of its corporate sustainability program, Ford Motor Company is developing new technologies to make more efficient use of some fibers and other waste materials to reduce consumption petroleum material and reduce the weight of their vehicles, resulting in better use of gasoline.

With this in mind, recently an agreement between the automotive and Jose Cuervo company was achieved, the company manufacturer tequila, to work together in the pursuit and development of a new bioplastic materials based on the transformation of the leaves of the agave in a practical and durable material to replace the use of petroleum in the manufacture of some parts such as handholds cables, cabinets and boxes.

So far tests show very promising results in using this material as an excellent means of supporting sustainability, thanks to its aesthetic and high durability qualities.

Ford is a company that is committed to the reduced environmental impact in the production of vehicles bearing their brand and this strategic alliance with Jose Cuervo is proof of that.

The agave that is used in the production of tequila is the result of a growing process that takes at least seven years for the plant to reach maturity and can be harvested and used; Once this happens, the heart of the plant is subjected to grinding and cooking process to extract the juice that will later be distilled to become tequila. Today, Jose Cuervo uses of these resulting fibers as compost for crops and some residents of the region also used in the creation of attractive handcrafted pieces and paper.

Sonia Espinola, director of the Raven and tequilera master Foundation, said regarding this joint effort: “In José Cuervo, we are very proud to work with Ford in the development of this program sustainability of our agave; as the number one company in the production of tequila, we never imagined that what initially was a small family business with the harvest of some hundreds of agave plants, be multiplied to become millions and this collaboration brings together two great companies in the development of new innovative and friendly materials with the environment “.

As Ford Motor Company, Jose Cuervo is basically a family business and since its founding in 1795, more than 220 years ago, he has been making tequila recipes and expertise that has been passed from generation to generation.

The collaboration with Jose Cuervo, is a sign of Ford’s approach to the creation and development of biomaterials. Ford began using sustainable materials in 2000 and today, in their manufacturing processes, eight material whose origin bio sustainability deal, such as foam soy, castor oil, wheat straw, kenaf fiber, cellulose, wood, coconut fiber and rice husks.

According to the Environmental Program of the United Nations, each year about 5 billion metric tons of biomass resulting occur agricultural processes. As a result these products are abundant and very often underemployed, and thanks to its relatively low cost, can be used to replace other materials such as glass fiber and talc with sustainable and lighter products.

In a typical car, about 200 kilos of plastic that can be replaced by green compounds to reduce environmental impact and that can be reflected deeply used in other industries.