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 afus
Environmental Industries and Visteon Automotive Systems today
announced the signing of an agreement under which the two organizations
will collaborate on the development and production of natural
fiber composite materials for use in automobile interiors. The
decision to use natural fiber composites is a first for Visteon
in the North American market.
 Under the
terms of the agreement, Kafus Bio-Composites, a wholly owned
subsidiary of Kafus Environmental Industries, will work in concert
with Visteon to develop various non-woven mats and panel products
made from a combination of kenaf and other natural fibers. Kafus
Bio-Composites will manufacture proprietary composites under
Visteon trademarks. Visteon will then produce and market finished
components such as door panels, seat backs and package trays
for Ford Motor Company and other auto makers.
"By combining
various polymers with kenaf fiber from our fields in South Texas,
we can produce stronger, lighter and safer components for the
automobile industry. We also see significant applications for
this technology in furniture manufacturing, building and construction,
packaging and, eventually, the aerospace industry," stated
David Agneta, Kafus Bio-Composites president.
Kafus Environmental
Industries, through its subsidiary, Kenaf Industries of South
Texas, is North America's leading grower, processor and developer
of kenaf. This fast-growing, drought-resistant relative of hibiscus
is capable of growing 14 feet in seven months, without the use
of extensive pesticides or herbicides. The outer "bast"
fibers of the kenaf plant are an ideal substitute for fiberglass
in the production of reinforced plastics.
Kafus Bio-Composites
will blend bast fiber with various polymers to create flexible
non-woven mats. Visteon will then form these mats into rigid
three-dimensional automotive trim components in a one-step molding
process that is expected to cut current production times in half.
Kafus is currently planning a multimillion dollar North American
facility that will include fiber blending machinery, a mat line
and a fully equipped R& facility.
Kafus Environmental
Industries is led by its chairman and founder, Ken Swaisland.
"We are committed to becoming a world leader in the manufacturing
of superior commodity materials made from sustainable resources,"
stated Swaisland. "In addition to this venture, our current
projects include the world's first medium density fiberboard
plants able to use 100 percent recovered urban wood waste; the
production of tree-free newsprint and other paper products; the
manufacturing of a cement/fiber alternative to wood and metal
siding; and the conversion of animal and food processing waste
into feed and organic fertilizer." 
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