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Sustainable auto part prototype courtesy of Ford
On your average day, olives are pressed into olive oil. But Ford has recently started pressing them into service in a whole new way. In a move that would make any Nonna proud, Ford is testing car parts made from 40 percent olive tree fibers and 60 percent recycled plastic.
Background: With 7 million tons of olive pruning waste generated yearly, a research team based in Germany is dabbling in the dark art of turning agricultural surplus into prototype auto parts.
The idea is simple yet revolutionary: mix olive waste with recycled polypropylene plastic, heat it, and voilà–a car part that’s both durable and environmentally friendly.
- This initiative is part of the COMPOlive project, showcasing the benefits of integrating recycled and renewable materials in vehicle components.
Green is the new black
This isn’t just about being sustainable, it’s also about engineering. Lighter parts mean lighter cars, which increases fuel efficiency. Plus, it’s a great way to chip away at that carbon footprint.
Junk in the Frunk: Ford has a history of innovating sustainable materials. These include a variety of bioplastics made from diverse sources like captured carbon, tomato and agave waste, and guayule-based rubber.
Some of these materials have already found their way into Ford vehicles. Notable examples include the soybean-based foam used in seats and headrests, as well as the use of post-consumer recycled materials like yogurt cups in the Ford Mustang Mach-E’s frunk insert and recycled ocean plastic in the wiring harness clips of the Ford Bronco Sport.
+Bonus infographic: Comparing the Material Makeup of EVs vs. Conventional Cars
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