Earth Protect Blog

Chalk this one up as a combination we never saw coming. It appears that one of America’s most recognizable car companies is teaming up with America’s favorite ketchup brand.

Ford and Heinz are coming together to investigate whether using tomato fibers in the development of sustainable composite materials is a viable option for the mass market. More specifically, they are researching whether dried tomato skins could be used for things like wiring brackets or as a material in storage bins.

Ellen Lee, a plastics research specialist at Ford explained that “we are exploring whether this food processing byproduct makes sense for an automotive application. Our goal is to develop a strong, lightweight material that meets our vehicle requirements, while at the same time reducing our overall environmental impact.”

If tomato-based plastics are the way of the future, then bring it on. Maybe that lone French fry underneath the car seat will feel a little less lonely if it’s sitting on a tomato-based product. Either way, if this collaboration works out, other companies may just have to … ketchup. (Sorry. ED)

Source: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20140611/CARNEWS/140619969?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=