Following an announcement by Ford that it will use recycled plastic bottles to create seat fabrics in the soon-to-come 2013 Ford Focus Electric, the company has announced it will further embrace green initiatives in the 2013 model Ford Escape. The new Escape will feature interior door bolsters made of kenaf plant fiber material.

So, why did Ford choose this particular plant-based material? As environmentally-charged website TriplePundit explains,"Kenaf, blended with polypropylene in a 50-50 mixture, will reduce the door component's weight by 25% compared with conventional materials, while use of the plant fiber, Ford claims, will offset 300,000 pounds of oil-based resins annually in North America."¹ Kenaf is originally from Africa, but it has been adapted to grown in the southern U.S. and some parts of California. Kenaf requires less pesticides than most plants (like cotton) do, and its fibers can be formed for a variety of uses, including paper, rope, and building materials. Ford has not specified where it will source its kenaf from.

In addition to the kenaf material, the new Ford Escape will also use soy foam for its head restraints and seats, recycled plastic water bottles for carpeting materials, and recycled cotton from jeans and recycled tires for other cabin materials. The new Escape is projected to be 85 percent recyclable and have the best fuel economy ratings in its class.

To find out more about the 2013 Escape, including its arrival at Faricy Ford, located at 2501 Fremont Drive Canon City, CO 81212-2646, stay tuned for updates as they become available.

Source: ¹http://www.triplepundit.com/2012/01/ford-kenaf-plant-materials-new-escape/comment-page-1/