Ford teams up with …. Jose Cuervo

Initial feedback from this pilot stage shows that agave has strong durability and aesthetic qualities for the aforementioned interior and exterior parts.

Ford Motor Company has today announced a new project to explore the use of biomaterials made from the by-products of tequila production, as the firm pushes ahead with research to develop sustainable materials. Jose Cuervo typically uses some of the remaining agave fibers for compost while the rest is used by local artists for crafts and agave paper.

“As a leader in the sustainability space, we are developing new technologies to efficiently employ discarded materials and fibers, while potentially reducing the use of petrochemicals and light-weighting our vehicles for desired fuel economy”, said Ford’s senior technical leader of sustainability research, Debbie Mielewski.

“This collaboration brings two great companies together to develop innovative, earth-conscious materials”, said Sonia Espinola, director of heritage for Cuervo Foundation and master tequilera. The bioplastic made from the agave byproduct could reduce the weight of vehicle parts, which would help improve fuel economy. Right now, the companies are testing the material for heat resistance to see if it is best used on the inside or outside of vehicles, and they are trying to see if the agave product can reduce or replace the need for petrochemicals.

The agave lifecycle is a long one, leading some to dub certain agave varieties as century plants, and while it doesn’t take almost as long as a hundred years for them to grow to maturity, those used in tequila making require at least seven years before they are ready to harvest.

The 5 billion tons of agricultural waste produced annually (per the U.N.), most of which is not reused, would seem like a good place to start. “It’s work that I’m really proud of, and it could have a broad impact across numerous industries”. Ford pinpointed wheat straw to fortify plastic bins of its Flex SUV, which is built in the city of Oakville in Canada.

Vehicle companies and liquor brands don’t make the most sensible bedfellows, for obvious reasons. “We were able to make significant progress in designing and building more sustainable vehicles, which in turn, led to sustained success in the marketplace”.

Ford Futurist Sheryl Connelly has detailed the automaker’s ongoing commitment to sustainability in her annual trends reports.