Company's Ecobond headliner reduces 'carbon footprint' with natural
material, lower weight and no glass content
DETROIT, Jan. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson Controls is committed to
sustainability and creating "environmentally friendly" automotive products,
as reflected in the new Ecobond headliner that is in the final stages of
development at the company. The Ecobond headliner is a lightweight solution
-- comprised of 50 percent biomaterials by mass -- that fully meets
customer requirements for strength, performance and acoustics.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070930/AQSU001LOGO)
Johnson Controls is showcasing the Ecobond headliner -- and many other
innovations -- at the company's 2008 North American International Auto Show
exhibit in room D2-15 of Detroit's Cobo Center.
"With our existing processes and resources, we have created and
manufactured an ingenious, earth-friendly headliner from sustainable
materials -- an outstanding product that meets the performance and cost
expectations of our customers," said Byron Foster, who leads the North
American interiors business of Johnson Controls. "Additionally, the Ecobond
headliner is made from natural fibers instead of glass, making the final
product a lightweight, bio-based product, which can help increase fuel
economy and reduce carbon emissions, and is easier to recycle at the end of
the vehicle's useful life."
The production process for the Ecobond headliner relies on soy-based
adhesives, a soy-based urethane core foam, and natural fibers -- reducing
the need for non-renewable resources. The headliner is made via the use of
an existing technology that Johnson Controls established for its
Polybond(TM) process. Soy-based polyols are blended with petroleum polyols
to create a foam core.
Natural materials -- including hemp, flax and knaf -- replace the
fiberglass that is traditionally used in headliner production. Finally, a
soy-based urethane is used to bond materials and create a semi-rigid
product. The Ecobond headliner satisfies customers' design requirements for
stiffness, toughness and acoustics. It also is lighter than standard
thermoplastic headliners. Using the new Ecobond approach is not expected to
add costs to the headliner production process.
By utilizing soy and other abundant and renewable plant-based
materials, Johnson Controls is working to fulfill its sustainability goals,
with initiatives that benefit its customers, the general public and future
generations. Other earth-friendly products from Johnson Controls include
EcoCore natural-fiber door panels, as well as soy-based seating pads, which
will be featured on numerous 2008 model-year vehicles.
"Given the auto industry's strong focus on green initiatives, we have
an excellent opportunity to use sustainable resources, while creating
appealing products that meet our customers' needs," Foster said.
"Leveraging the momentum of the Johnson Controls seating team, we have
extended the use of soy-based materials to other, high-quality interior
products."
Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI) is the global leader that brings ingenuity
to the places where people live, work and travel. By integrating
technologies, products and services, we create smart environments that
redefine the relationships between people and their surroundings. Our team
of 140,000 employees creates a more comfortable, safe and sustainable world
through our products and services for more than 200 million vehicles, 12
million homes and one million commercial buildings. Our commitment to
sustainability drives our environmental stewardship, good corporate
citizenship in our workplaces and communities, and the products and
services we provide to customers. For additional information, please visit
http://www.johnsoncontrols.com/.
SOURCE Johnson Controls
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.johnsoncontrols.com
Photo Notes:
NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070930/AQSU001LOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/473547.html/
CONTACT:
Debra Lacey, +1-734-254-5735, for Johnson
Controls
|
