Agave is roasted, pressed, fermented and distilled to create a popular spirit that’s shipped across the U.S., but it turns out that it’s not just good for filling up shot glasses.
Ford Motor Company has joined forces with Jose Cuervo to explore ways in which wasted agave fiber can be used to create car parts. Lots of testing is being conducted using the durable fibers, which have the ability to be transformed into a low-weight, sustainable composite.
Ultimately, the composite could result in lighter car parts that help improve fuel economy. Plus, it would minimize the use of petrochemicals, making it an even more eco-friendly solution.
Roughly 5 billion metric tons of agricultural biomass waste are produced annually and the material is often underutilized. There’s a lot of potential in experimenting with these byproducts, and Ford is taking a lead in figuring out ways to maximize materials like agave fiber and others that would otherwise be wasted.
Ford has already begun using materials like rice hulls, coconut fiber, wood, wheat straw and soy foam in its vehicles, and agave fiber could be yet another product which furthers Ford’s sustainability efforts.
“There are about 400 pounds of plastic on a typical car,” said Debbie Mielewski, Ford senior technical leader, sustainability research department. “Our job is to find the right place for a green composite like this to help our impact on the planet. It is work that I’m really proud of, and it could have broad impact across numerous industries.”
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