Ford is carrying out research into the sustainable use of discarded leaves, branches and fibres during the olive harvest and making self-made components from biocomposite materials instead of plastic.
This was announced in a press release in which it is recalled that the olive harvest generates high quantities of vegetable processing waste that is often disposed of through combustion.
Ford has launched the CompOlive project, an experiment that aims to support a circular economy in this sector and to contribute to the reduction of local pollution, avoiding the combustion used for waste disposal.
Ford engineers have created prototypes of elements such as footrests and boot parts using this new manufacturing process, and tests have shown that these components have strength and strength characteristics in line with those of traditional materials. Ford is now evaluating the applicability of the process on an industrial scale, which could potentially be implemented for the next generation of electric vehicles.
For the tests, the waste materials were obtained from olive groves in Andalusia, Spain, the region with the highest olive oil production in the world. Made from 40% fibres and 60% recycled polypropylene, the biocomposite material was heated and injection-moulded into the shape of the selected component.
The CompOlive project, which ran from 2020 to 2023, had to adapt to the restrictions imposed by the global pandemic. The project partners met in person for the first time only two and a half years after the start of the project.
All rights reserved © Copyright ANSA