Fibers from Fruits Used to Make Stronger Plastic Car Parts

Brazilian scientists say the nano-cellulose fibers found in fruits and plants can be used to produce a new generation of plastics for auto parts that are stronger, lighter, and more eco-friendly than current petroleum-based plastics. The tiny fibers in fruits such as pineapples and bananas, for instance, have properties that are as sturdy as Kevlar, a material used in armor and bulletproof vests, said Alcides Leão, a researcher from Sao Paulo State University and leader of the study, which was presented at the annual meeting of the American Chemical Society. Plant-based parts such as bumpers and side panels are 30 percent lighter and three to four times stronger than traditional plastics, Leão said, making cars more fuel efficient. Also during the meeting, researchers spoke about a process in which meat and bone meal — byproducts of slaughtered beef, sheep, and other animals that are typically dumped into landfills — can be converted into a partially biodegradable plastic.