Toyota wants to make a car out of seaweed

[MasterWolf1]

http://blog.wired.com/cars/2009/02/toyota-makes-pl.html?npu=1&mbid=yhp

[Lewinsky Stinks, Dr. Brennan Rocks]

I wonder if some designers at Toyota have been smoking some (sea)weed.

[Vito]

Demand for the stuff is expected to hit 50 billion pounds annually within five years, a figure that would account for 10 percent of the world market for plastic, according to USA Today. A company called NatureWorks claims the production of its bioplastic Inego produces 60 percent less carbon dioxide than petroleum-based plastic and requires 30 percent less energy. And Oakridge National Laboratory has explored the possibility of producing carbon fiber from wood pulp.

I think it's time we start investing in NatureWorks   

[IsraelForever]

The only problem with the car is that, when it rains, you end up sitting on the road in a pile of seaweed.

[arksis]

 

[Rubystars]

This could be very good because it would mean that we could find more sources of synthetic materials. A lot of plastics are made from oil so if we can get plastics from sources that don't involve oil then this is a great thing.

[MasterWolf1]

You know the funny part about this, how many cats will be following you cause seaweed tend to smell close to catfood

[Rubystars]

It won't smell like seaweed, it's a bio-sourced plastic.

[MasterWolf1]

It won't smell like seaweed, it's a bio-sourced plastic.

Yes I know, lol I was kidding.

[GoIsraelGo!]

Finding alternatives to benefit the economy and Earth through ( going Green ) can backfire.
If this is successful and they do make plastic from seaweed, this will eventually damage the eco
system in the ocean and upset the sea life that is dependant on these types of sea grasses
and kelp. Now if they find a way to mass produce seaweed in tank factories then it may be a good alternative,
unless the costs outweight the benefits.


                                                     Shalom - Dox
 

[arksis]

I agree with Elizabeth, seems everything they come up with as an alternative, seems to have a downside to it.