Werbung
Werbung

Ford E-Transit for upcycling start-up Airpaq: "Thanks to scrap"

The Cologne start-up is making backpacks from used airbags and seatbelts. The van manufacturer is now supporting this business with an E-Transit, which the company can use free of charge for six months. This allows them to deliver goods - and provide Ford with information about the usage.

In exchange: Ford's Commercial Vehicle Director Claudia Vogt receives a backpack made from old airbags from Adrian Goosses, founder of Airpaq, in return for the key to the Ford E-Transit. | Photo: Ford
In exchange: Ford's Commercial Vehicle Director Claudia Vogt receives a backpack made from old airbags from Adrian Goosses, founder of Airpaq, in return for the key to the Ford E-Transit. | Photo: Ford
Werbung
Werbung
Johannes Reichel

The van manufacturer Ford has provided the Cologne-based start-up company Airpaq with a fully electric Ford E-Transit for use. As part of a cooperation under the title “Business in Transit,” the Cologne-based backpack manufacturer Airpaq will have the light commercial vehicle at its disposal for six months. The cooperation began with the handover of the vehicle at the Ford plants in Cologne-Niehl, during which the vehicle key was symbolically exchanged for a backpack.

“Our idea behind 'Business in Transit' was the desire to take a young, sustainable start-up with us on our way to greater electrification. With Airpaq, we have found the perfect cooperation partner: a backpack manufacturer with upcycled airbags based in Cologne – it just fits!” says Claudia Vogt, Director of the Commercial Vehicle Business, Ford Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Under the motto “Thanks to Scrap, the Journey Continues!”, the Cologne-based start-up Airpaq has been sustainably and fairly producing products in Europe since 2017. They use airbag, seatbelt, and seatbelt buckle rejects from the automotive industry and the scrapyard. Airpaq gives waste a second chance and creates fashionable unique items out of it. This way new cycles are created that protect the environment and prevent the destruction of valuable resources. Since its founding, 72 tons of car scrap have already been reused.

“We were very pleased that Ford approached us and is now helping us to make our transport sustainable as well,” explains Adrian Goosses, founder of Airpaq, which was awarded the German Sustainability Prize in 2022.

The provided Ford E-Transit is based on the Trend trim level and is powered by an electric motor with 184 hp (135 kW) and a 1-speed automatic transmission. Standard equipment includes, among other things, Ford SYNC 4 with navigation system, front and rear park assist, lane-keeping assist, and cruise control. The vehicle is in the color Grey Matter and has been fitted with the Airpaq company logo as part of the cooperation. An intensive exchange is also planned as part of the cooperation.

Translated automatically from German.
Werbung

Branchenguide

Werbung