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Blue Oval, Ketchup King Seek Tomato Bliss

June 12, 2014 by admin 4 Comments

Ford and Heinz tie one on.

While some cars may be called lemons, a term no automaker wants ascribed to their products, future buyers may call one or more Ford products a tomato. That’s right, as in the nightshade family of fruit (or is it a vegetable?) that is a staple of our diets.

The Ford Motor Company (blue oval) and ketchup king H.J. Heinz Company are teaming up to see how tomatoes might be used in automotive development. Specifically, Heinz-supplied tomato fiber may someday be used as a bio-plastic material in select Ford vehicles.

Repurposing Tomato Fiber

Ford and Heinz researchers believe that they are on to something special as tomato fiber has the potential to be used to make storage bins in a Ford vehicle, one suitable for holding coins and other small objects. Developing wiring brackets are another possibility that Ford is exploring.

“We are exploring whether this food processing byproduct makes sense for an automotive application,” said Ellen Lee, plastics research technical specialist for Ford. “Our goal is to develop a strong, lightweight material that meets our vehicle requirements, while at the same time reducing our overall environmental impact.”

Ford Heinz Ketchup Tomato

Ford’s collaboration with other nonautomotive titans has been going on for some time. Its partnership with Heinz goes back two years and probably much longer than that when you take into consideration the ketchup packets used in Ford cafeterias the world over.

Besides Heinz, Ford is also collaborating with Nike, Inc., Proctor Gamble and the Coca-Cola Company to produce 100 percent plant-based plastic, in an effort to replace petroleum-derived plastics used widely in production today. Fabrics, packaging and an assortment of other materials and products may soon achieve sustainability nirvana, a move that would allow Ford and its partners to advance their respective green credentials.

Heinz Hands Ford a Tomato

Heinz approached Ford in a bid to find ways to make use of tomato waste, specifically the seeds, stems and peels that are extracted from the two million tons of tomatoes the company produces each year. And that is for its ketchup product only.

“We are delighted that the technology has been validated,” said Vidhu Nagpal, associate director, packaging RD for Heinz. “Although we are in the very early stages of research, and many questions remain, we are excited about the possibilities this could produce for both Heinz and Ford, and the advancement of sustainable 100% plant-based plastics.”

Ford, like many other manufacturers across all industries, is looking for ways to become more sustainable. It is an effort that can save companies money, reduce waste and shine the light on a practice that has been growing steam in recent years. Besides, who wants to carry the blame that their company melted the polar ice caps?

Soy, Rice and Cellulose Too

Ford’s pursuit of petroleum options can be seen in other products. In 2010, the automaker started to use soy-based foam seat cushions with its Ford Fusion Hybrid.

More recently, Ford began to make use of rice hull-filled electrical cowl brackets and cellulose fiber-reinforced console components, among eight bio-based products it says are now in production.


Additional Sustainability Articles

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Counsel Advises Prudent Development of Natural Resources


Chart courtesy of the Ford Motor Company.

Filed Under: Engineering & Technology Tagged With: BYPRODUCT, COMPONENTS, Ford, HEINZ, KETCHUP, PLASTIC, TOMATO, TOMATO FIBER

The Top Auto Suppliers and What They Provide

March 9, 2014 by Dennis Goldman Leave a Comment

If you survey the auto industry you’ll find more than a dozen original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) ranging from Toyota to General Motors and all the way down to Mitsubishi and Jaguar Land Rover. These are the companies that provide the final product or the vehicles you drive.

Auto Suppliers: BoschAutomotive manufacturers have long relied on suppliers to provide a number of components ranging from the small rear view mirrors to the large diesel engines. Automakers put together the final product, assembling thousands of parts from scores of auto suppliers.

A June 2013 report carried by Automotive News looked at the top suppliers in North America, Europe and the world. That report provided a fascinating glimpse at an industry where the big players are getting stronger and the smaller companies are learning how to adjust with the times some are being acquired by competitors or working directly with them as a tertiary supplier.

Top Auto Suppliers

The report found that Robert Bosch GmbH, based in Stuttgart, Germany, made the most money by US dollars of any company, pulling in $36,787,000,000 in 2012. Bosch is a huge supplier of injection systems and also supplies battery technology, chassis system controls, motors, generators, electronics, and other key parts. If not a household name, Bosch is an industry name of renown.

Japans Denso Corp. follows closely behind Bosch, a provider of electronic and electrical systems, telecommunications, powertrain control and small motors. Denso is followed in third place by Continental AG, a German manufacturer of stability management systems, tires, chassis systems, instrumentation, brakes, telematics and other key parts.

Auto Suppliers: Infotainment System

The typical vehicle infotainment system is supplied, not built in-house.


The fourth and fifth spots are held by Magna International Inc. and Aisn Seiki Co. The Canadian based Magna has been in the news in recent years as it was a one-time suitor for Chrysler before Fiat stepped in. Magna is best known for building vehicle bodies, chassis, interiors, and exteriors, electronics, and mirrors. Aisin, from Japan, makes body, brake and chassis systems, drivetrain and engine components, and electronics. The top five global auto suppliers each pulled in at least $30 billion for 2012.

US Auto Suppliers

Johnson Controls occupies the sixth spot and also had the highest sales among any US manufacturer at $22,515,000,000. Johnson is well known for vehicle seating and also builds overhead systems, door and instrument panels, and hybrid vehicle batteries. Lear at $14.567 billion follows, a builder of seating and electrical power systems.

Auto Suppliers: Chrysler

Cummins is a major engine supplier to Chrysler.

Other US manufacturers of note include TRW Automotive, a steering and suspension system manufacturer that also makes braking components; Delphi, a powertrain, safety, and electronics manufacturer, and Cummins, a supplier of diesel and natural gas engines to the automotive industry. Dana Holding Corp, BorgWarner, Inc., Visteon Corp., Tenneco Inc., and Flex-N-Gate Corp. are additional big-time auto suppliers based in the United States.

Product Auto Suppliers

Automotive manufacturers build some parts in-house, but there is one part that they always leave up to the rubber manufacturers: tires. Continental, Goodyear, and Michelin are the largest suppliers to the industry, often with their eponymous tires and many times with their wholly owned competing brands.

Some companies specialize or seem to dominate in certain areas. Bayer, for example, is the largest supplier of adhesives, Van-Rob Industries provides welded assemblies, and SRG Global serves up grilles and nameplates. Sunroofs are supplied by several manufacturers including Webasto and Mitsuba.

Grede Holdings manufactures bearing arms, Clarion Corp. offers infotainment systems, Superior Industries supplies aluminum wheels, Visteon manufactures climate control systems, and aluminum manufacturer Alcoa provides hoods and trunks.

Auto Suppliers: tires

OEMs rely exclusively on rubber manufacturers to supply tires.

Auto Suppliers: Influence and Strength

All told, OEMs and auto suppliers account for trillions of dollars in sales annually. Most of us own one or more cars, buy new ones every few years, upgrade our rides with aftermarket parts, and replace worn OEM parts with new ones such as tires, brakes, and exhaust systems. It is an intricately woven industry that is also the backbone of many communities.

Filed Under: Engineering & Technology Tagged With: AUTO SUPPLIERS, BOSCH, brakes, CHASSIS, COMPONENTS, Dennis Goldman, DENSO, ENGINES, INFOTAINMENT SYSTEMS, JOHNSON CONTROLS, tires

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