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John Deere to Develop Soy-based Flexible Foam
(January 9, 2008) – In a few years, John Deere equipment could be sporting operator seats with cushions made of soy-based foam.
John Deere and seat supplier Sears Manufacturing Company, of Davenport, Iowa, have licensed the soy-based flexible foam technology from Ford Motor Company's Ford Global Technologies, LLC.
The flexible foam used for cushions in seats is typically derived from petroleum. Using soy-based resins to make foam is seen as a way to expand soybean markets and reduce the use of imported oil. Making foam with soy-based resins also has far less impact on the environment than does making it with petroleum-based resins.
The licensing agreement is also an illustration of how John Deere has changed its approach to innovation, preferring to work much more with suppliers and to license some technology to speed up getting product and service improvements to customers, said Dr. Klaus Hoehn, Vice President, Advanced Technology and Engineering.
Ford said it already uses the soy-based foam in the seat cushions of some 2008 car and truck models. Sears and John Deere will work on developing the foam for use in off-highway equipment and heavy trucks.
John Deere uses soy-based plastics in a variety of body panels for some products.
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