Automotive manufacturer Ford Motor has partnered with the US-based HJ Heinz Food Company to research if the tomato fiber can be used to develop a more sustainable bio-plastic material for vehicles.
With the collaboration, the automaker plans to use the dried tomato skins to develop wiring brackets or storage bins in its vehicles
The move is part of Ford global sustainability strategy to reduce, reuse and recycle and the development of more sustainable composite is expected to cut down the use of petrochemicals in manufacturing and reduce the impact of vehicles on the environment.
Ford plastics research technical specialist Ellen Lee said the company is 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," Lee added.
Additionally, researchers at Heinz are also looking for new ways to recycle and repurpose peels, stems and seeds of the more than two million tonnes of tomatoes the company uses annually to produce the Heinz Ketchup and has partnered with Ford in the process.
Heinz packaging R&D associate director Vidhu Nagpal said, "Although we are in the very early stages of research, and many questions remain, we are excited about the possibilities this could produce for both Heinz and Ford, and the advancement of sustainable 100% plant-based plastics."
