DaimlerChrysler Corp. will equip the new Mercedes-Benz Travego travel coach with a natural fiber-reinforced engine and transmission cover as standard equipment, the first natural fiber-reinforced exterior vehicle component to go into series production.

Compared with a fiberglass-reinforced component, one made of natural fibers reduces the mass of the component by 10%, lowers the energy needed for production by 80%, and reduces the cost by 5%, according to Prof. Heinrich Flegel, Director of Production Technology at the DaimlerChrysler Research Center in Ulm, Germany. Flegel made the announcement during a press conference for release of DaimlerChrysler's 2000 Environmental Report.

Over the last 10 years, DaimlerChrysler has developed new applications for natural fibers in vehicle production. Until now, use of flax, sisal, coconut fiber, cotton, and hemp has been limited to the interiors of DaimlerChrysler vehicles in upholstery, door paneling, and the rear panel shelf. According to Flegel, one of the most important benefits of using natural materials as opposed to fiberglass is no net carbon dioxide discharge.

The company also announced that it will use natural fiber-reinforced materials in the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, which is built in East London, South Africa. The vehicle will be equipped with a sisal-reinforced rear panel shelf made of environmentally friendly raw materials from local suppliers. By combining sisal and cotton, the share of natural fibers in the component has been increased to more than 70%.

Natural fibers are used in many automobiles produced by the Chrysler Group in the U.S. Future uses of natural fibers were explored in the Concepts for Advanced Recycling and Environmental (CARE) Car project. Working with major suppliers, DaimlerChrysler developed new concepts with the goal of making new vehicles 95% recyclable in the next five years. In that project, natural fibers were used in door trim panel components, including the arm rest and map pocket.

Jean L. Broge

AEI October 2000