Abaca fiber shows potential as material for car parts

BAYBAY, Leyte – Abaca fiber has a potential as raw material in the making of car parts.

This has been initially found in a project being implemented by Daimler Chrysler in collaboration with the German Development Agency.

In the venture, the Leyte State University (LSU) here has been tapped in the manufacture of composites for the production of interior and exterior parts of environment-friendly cars and automobiles. Abaca fibers are being studied as substitute for fiber glass.

"This marks the first time that a component containing natural fibers has been used in the exterior of a passenger car," said Daimler Chrysler, as reported by JFM Baldos of LSU situated 120 kilometers south of the Leyte capital city of Tacloban.

The project is being undertaken in collaboration with the University of Hohenheim and University of Roetingen, both in Germany; and Auronatur (an environmental foundation).

The project proponents as earlier communicated to R&D NOTES by LSU’s Zenaida Gerona, believe that the substitute of fiber glass with abaca fibers will provide technological benefits as this can reduce the weight of cars and improve quality.

They also foresee economic advantage owing to reduced cost in the manufacture of car parts and the benefits that Philippine rural communities and small abaca producers can derive from the various economic activities generated by the project.

Further, the endeavor complements the worldwide environmental conservation thrust.

Last year, DaimlerChrysler conferred on LSU president Dr. Paciencia Po-Milan the 2005 Environmental Leadership Award for having been "a significant contributor to environmental excellence through her involvement in the project Abaca-Natural Fibers Used in Passenger Car Exterior."

The award was presented to Dr. Milan, who holds a doctorate in Biology from Bowling Green University in Ohio (USA), at the fourth Magdeburg Environmental Forum in Magdeburg, Germany.

The award was presented to LSU’s first lady president by Dr. Thomas Weber, deputy member of the Board of Management and responsible for Research and Technology and development of the Mercedes Car Group; and Dr. Thomas LaSorda, CEO and president of the Chrysler group division. – Rudy A. Fernandez