Recycled Ocean Plastic Used For Ford Bronco Sport Wiring Harness Clips
by AutoExpert | 9 December, 2021
The Bronco Sport is Ford's first car to employ a part manufactured completely of recycled ocean plastic since the wiring harness clips are composed of waste products. The five-gram clip is equally as sturdy and durable as a component manufactured from non-recycled plastic, but it costs 10% less and uses 10% less energy to produce.
As if they were not there, the harness clips on the sides of the second-row seats of the Bronco Sport guide wires that supply side-curtain airbags. In fact, the plastic used to make it comes from the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea. DSM Engineering Materials makes it out of that.
Afterward, the plastic is cleaned of saltwater, dried, and extruded into tiny pieces. These are then injection molded into the clips by Ford supplier HellermannTyton. Ford plans to use recycled ocean plastics to produce other parts, including gearbox brackets, wiring shields, and floor side rails. According to the carmaker, all of the aforementioned are stationary components with strength requirements that the material may meet or surpass.