It’s no surprise that the auto industry is seeking to replace some of its existing processes with more environmentally benign operations. But in today’s tough economic climate, “environmentally friendly” technologies have to do more than just benefit the environment; they also must have a positive impact on a company’s bottom line. At Ford Motor Co.’s Research and Innovation Center (RIC) in Dearborn, MI, researchers have been testing a new atmospheric plasma pretreatment technology that promises to achieve both goals.