Tougher than steel: Japan looks to wood pulp to make lighter auto parts

It was Henry ford that made car parts from hemp which was stronger than steel. Of course we all know that Hemp cultivating has been demonised. Hundred years ago, Hemp was used to make all sorts of products in Japan and overseas.

it's a great wish but where are the trees going to come from as trees help us breath fresh air through photosynthesis.

Limber cut down for thinning is a great start.

The limber industry cuts down alot of trees to keep the forest rejuvenated.

Yes let's use hemp to make cars.  Strong, supple and a big step forwards towards world peace

It was Henry ford that made car parts from hemp which was stronger than steel. 

But he didn't use much hemp apparently. Mostly wood and straw. Nevertheless, it seems hemp is still used in the car industry.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/auto/news/auto-components/scientists-mix-carbon-fibre-hemp-for-lighter-auto-parts/articleshow/45822335.cms

Great! They can start by chopping down those wonderful cedar trees that make my eyes water every year!

Sounds good to me. During WW II the Brits made a fighter-bomber out of wood pulp, the infamous Mosquito. It had only two engines, was faster than most fighters, and could carry a 4,000 pound bomb load at high altitude and high speed over Germany, where it was almost impossible to intercept.

Wouldn't cutting more trees lead to faster global warming? Sorry, this is more of a backward idea than a progressive one.

CoconutE3Today 01:51 am JST

Wouldn't cutting more trees lead to faster global warming? Sorry, this is more of a backward idea than a progressive one.

No it is not, sourced responsibly from sustainable plantations it will have zero effect on the population of trees. In-fact if there is sufficient market it becomes economically viable to plant more trees, so in fact could boost the already growing area under sustainable forestry.

1glennToday 12:12 am JST

Sounds good to me. During WW II the Brits made a fighter-bomber out of wood pulp, the infamous Mosquito. It had only two engines, was faster than most fighters, and could carry a 4,000 pound bomb load at high altitude and high speed over Germany, where it was almost impossible to intercept.

Yep, my uncle flew one, a stripped down version with tweeked Merlin's, no guns, or much of anything else except cameras, so fast even the Messerschmitt Me 262 jets had a problem.

We have forgotten how adaptable and varied the uses and applications for wood are. John Harrison made one of his first clocks from wood and I believe it kept time in to at least the last century.

This though is an additive to plastic utilising the amazing properties evidenced by materials when you go down to the nano scale.

They don't need to use trees. Just grow hemp which is fast growing and　will grow in poor soil.

At first I thought it would be quite amusing to see a car being eaten by termites, but I guess that can't happen if the wood pulp is mixed with plastics.

Hope it will be fire resistant.