2. HistoryHistory
Plant based car inPlant based car in
19401940
Henry Ford developedHenry Ford developed
natural fiber-basednatural fiber-based
materialmaterial
Hit car with axeHit car with axe
Today companiesToday companies
including Ford areincluding Ford are
putting the concept toputting the concept to
useuse
Ford Focus door trimFord Focus door trim
panelpanel
Under hood soundUnder hood sound
dampenerdampener
3. Method of ProductionMethod of Production
General processGeneral process
Hemp fibers cleanedHemp fibers cleaned
HeatedHeated
Strands of hemp areStrands of hemp are
glued togetherglued together
Resin can be natural orResin can be natural or
syntheticsynthetic
4. AdvantagesAdvantages
LighterLighter
30% less than current materials30% less than current materials
BiodegradableBiodegradable
Low energy to manufactureLow energy to manufacture
Excellent energy absorptionExcellent energy absorption
Replace current plastics and even steelsReplace current plastics and even steels
Non-ToxicNon-Toxic
5. AdvantagesAdvantages
"Hemp fibers have higher strength-to-"Hemp fibers have higher strength-to-
weight ratios than steel and can also beweight ratios than steel and can also be
considerably cheaper to manufacture" -considerably cheaper to manufacture" -
Alan CroskyAlan Crosky
Only traces of tetrahydrocannabinolOnly traces of tetrahydrocannabinol
6. UsesUses
Car bodiesCar bodies
Less weight = greater fuel economyLess weight = greater fuel economy
ToysToys
LuggageLuggage
Building materialBuilding material
7. FutureFuture
By 2010 the New Jersey consulting firmBy 2010 the New Jersey consulting firm
Kline & Company anticipates natural fibersKline & Company anticipates natural fibers
to replace a fifth of the fiberglass in currentto replace a fifth of the fiberglass in current
U.S. car models.U.S. car models.