The Ford Motor Co has a strategy for using natural fibres and bio-based plastics as reported in Plastic News. It is at present evaluating the applications for the use of coconut husks as a composite reinforcement material in the automotive industry. This is sustainable business and gradually releases us from the use of fossil-derived plastics for certain car parts. Last year I wrote about the use of coconut husks in making batteries and on our sugar cane know-how for fuels R&D for oil companies.
What are the Government's plans in sustainable industries that we can encourage and exploit? Can we not expand the use of our coconut and palm industry? Can we liaise with international companies to use our soil to plant, grow and produce materials for sustainable and greener businesses? Ford is actively pursuing a strategy of using the husks as reinforcement and strengthening materials in plastic parts which reduce the amount of plastics required and thereby reduce the weight of parts. This also gives a more natural look than synthetic fibres.
Desmond Smith
England