However, a partnership between Ford and Weyerhauser has led to the development of plastic composites made out of cellulose instead of fiberglass.

FORBES: Written by Melissa Hincha-Ownby

The Dreamliner uses technology that allows much of it to be made of plastic composites instead of aluminium, which means it is lighter and, Boeing claims, will consume 20% less fuel than other, similar-sized planes.

BBC: Dreamliner to fly by end of 2008