The #FarmToCar mission is simple: replace petroleum-based plastics with plant-based materials.https://t.co/ETS8NqtqxL
— Ford Drive Green (@FordDriveGreen) May 10, 2016
Debbie Mielewski, Ford's Senior Technical Leader of Materials Sustainability, tells a story of innovation and struggle that would make the company's founder proud.
Plant-based materials could make a huge difference to the environmental impact of Ford's vehicles, and they might even be cheaper, too. Yet, 16 years ago, nobody wanted to hear it.
"We were told over and over it could not be done," said Mielewski. "I always say we got thrown out of every conference room in the company."
She was persistent, and eventually got the green light to start working to replace petroleum-based foam with soy foam. Little did she know at the time, Henry Ford had a similar idea in the 1930s. He was good friends with inventor Thomas Edison, and was always looking for new ways to innovate, and ways to join agriculture with industry.
Unfortunately, Henry Ford never got to see his dream go into production.
After thousands of failed attempts, Mielewski and her team finally perfected a soy-based seat-cushion foam -- just in time for the 2007 oil crisis.
"When oil prices spiked at over $160 a barrel, this became a very popular, desirable idea," she said. "So we went from total obscurity to being nerd rock stars."
Since 2011, all new Ford vehicles built in North America have included soy foam seat cushions. Other plant-based materials are also used in many new Fords, which utilize byproducts of agriculture, like stems, seeds, skins, and fibers that would otherwise go to waste.
Learn more about how driving green never has to compromise style, comfort, and capability at Metro Ford Inc. in Independence.
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