The Ontario government will provide $2.5 million to three companies that are working to invent new ways to make motor vehicle parts out of agricultural crops.

The companies plan to use crops like soy beans, castor and plant seed oils to make car ceilings, head restraint coverings and interior trim — most of which are now petroleum-based.

"These investments will help Ontario companies move to the forefront of technologies that allow us to replace toxic materials and products with environmentally friendly, bio-based ones," Ontario Environment Minister John Gerretsen said in a release Thursday. "It's a win for our environment and for our manufacturers."

Canadian General-Tower Ltd. of Cambridge will get $776,250 to evaluate two bio-based pasticizers that could replace petroleum-based ones. If the tests prove successful, 90 per cent of the company's products could be bio-based by 2012.

GreenCore Composites of Toronto will receive $755,000 to develop a new generation of natural fibre products that deliver better strength and performance at a lighter weight for use in vehicles, furniture and other consumer goods.

The Woodbridge Group of Mississauga will get $1,000,000 to develop a system that incorporates its BioFoam product, derived from plant seed oils, with natural fibres to create automotive ceilings that are lighter and provide better cabin sound quality.

Woodbridge projects that the program will result in new sales of $5 million in 2010, increasing to $40 million by 2013.

"Ontario's agriculture sector represents a valuable resource for our growing bio-products industry," said Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Minister Leona Dombrowsky. "By supporting innovations in bio-based materials, we are building new opportunities for Ontario farmers and for our province's economy."