Soy Seats

Candles are molded from it, it makes a tasty beverage, and it’s the foundation of many meat analogues. What is the mystery ingredient? Soy, and now it’s being used for—believe it or not—car seat cushions. Ford is using this renewable biomaterial for seatbacks and cushions to show the company’s commitment to the environment, and it can be found in nine of its vehicle platforms. Ford even plans to take it a step further and is researching the use of soy flour and soy meal in floor mats, door seals, and underbody shields. The use of soy seats helps decrease Ford’s use of petroleum oil and helps reduce its carbon dioxide emissions. Now they just need to take it a step further to be eco- and animal-friendly by removing leather from all vehicles as well.