Ford and The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company Research Using Coconut Fibers in Vehicles
Consumers have been going crazy over Scotts® Turf Builder® EZ Seed® and Miracle-Gro® Expand ‘n Gro™ Concentrated Planting Mix, which contain natural coconut coir, or husks, that hold 50 percent more water than basic potting soil and release it as plants need it – helping homeowners save water.
And now, as a result of a partnership between ScottsMiracle-Gro and Ford, these very same consumers – and the environment – could end up benefiting from of the process that produces these popular ScottsMiracle-Gro products as they drive to work, carpool or take their kids to soccer practice.
Ford and Scotts Miracle-Gro recently announced a partnership to research the use of coconut fiber reinforcement for molded plastic parts in automobiles to reduce the use of petroleum and make the parts lighter and more natural-looking.
For Mustapha Abbaoui, a senior research principal at ScottsMiracle-Gro, Ford was a logical place to look for a sustainable use for leftover coir. With his background in plastics engineering, Abbaoui said he was certain the coir dust could be used either as a reinforcing agent – to increase performance – or a filler material – to lower the cost – for certain plastic automotive parts.
Source: MNN.com