Ford and Weyerhauser develop cellulose-based plastic The two
companies have found an automotive use for a plastic composite
material made out of cellulose. Fri, Sep 28 2012 at 8:00 AM The
last thing I think of when I hear the words “plastic composite”
is plant-based material. However, a partnership between Ford and
Weyerhauser has led to the development of plastic composites
made out of cellulose instead of fiberglass. The new cellulose-
based composite may even make its way into a Ford vehicle,
increasing the automaker’s use of sustainable materials in its
product lineup. Components made using the cellulose-based
composite weigh about 10 percent less than the non-cellulose
part. Additionally, these parts can be produced 20 to 40 percent
faster than their traditional counterparts. The quicker
production cycle reduces energy use and could ultimately reduce
component costs. The cellulose fibers used during this
partnership came from sustainably grown and harvested trees and
also from by-products like wood chips