Ford Using Recycled Carpet in Cylinder Covers

Detroit, MI, April 12, 2011 -- A material made from post-consumer recycled nylon is being used in cylinder head covers by Ford Motor Co.

The material, called EcoLon, is made by Wellman Engineering Resins. The cylinder head covers are manufactured by Dana Holding Corporation.

The cylinder head covers are used on the 3.0-liter Duratec engine in Ford Fusion and Escape. They can also be found on the 5.0-liter engine, which powers Mustang and F-150.

The firm said the material has kept 4.1 million pounds of carpet out of landfills and is the first automotive product of its kind manufactured from post-consumer recycled nylon.

Wellman grinds used nylon carpeting into fiber and recaptures the material through a patented, proprietary process.