Car manufacturer Ford wants to increase significantly the proportion of renewable raw materials in its vehicles. With this in mind, the company has put together a research team of plastics experts to promote the use of hemp, flax, cellulose and polylactic acid (PLA).

By substituting glass fibres with natural fibre reinforced plastics – in roofliners for example – Ford has achieved weight reductions of up to 30%. By contrast, PLA is earmarked for use in textile applications such as carpeting, mats and interior trim. The team is also looking at developing protective films made of PLA. The cooperative effort, which also includes experts from the Canadian universities of Guelph, Toronto, Waterloo and Windsor, will begin its research by examining the weaknesses of natural fibres, including moisture absorption and odour, and, in the case of PLA, the comparatively high tendency to decomposition.