Ford teams up with Jose Cuervo to build cars from Tequila waste

Let’s all raise a glass for innovation!

Leading car manufacturer Ford has announced plans to work with Jose Cuervo to turn tequila byproducts into sustainable plastics for use in cars.

The brands are working on new fibre-based bioplastics based on leftovers from agave plants used to make tequila. Ford says it could be a way to reduce the amount of petrochemicals in new cars.

Jose Cuervo makes tequila by harvesting blue agave plants, discarding coarse outer leaves and roasting the “heart” of the plant to extract sugars that become alcohol.

Ford hopes to transform the stiff outer leaves into moulded bioplastic to make its cars more sustainable. The brand already uses recycled clothing in some of its interior padding and sound insulation, rice husks as electrical harnesses, soy-based foam cushions and recycled bottles for wheel wells in some cars.

The blue oval says plant-based plastics could make its cars lighter and more efficient.


more on stuff.co.nz