- ~ ~ j, ~- ~ - - -~~-_:'lt.'\o ·""-~-~ d-~~..:~>.j;_':::... ~·"'-·'-""' ',~J..~~""-""-"'"'-•~ FEATURE - L• <.v o<L.~~~"~-~:::....~~~£~~~ "-'~ -~"""' • ~ -~""'it11~ , . MARKET TRENDS IN SYNTHETIC BASEFLUIDS


Synthetic lubricants represent the fastest growing sector in the industry, driven by clear benefits to formulators and end users, across a wide range of applications. Of these synthetics, Esters and PAGs provide some of the most interesting and valuable properties. The rapid development of synthetics is occurring against (and in part influencing) the backdrop of major change in the lubricant industry.


SYNTHETIC LUBRICANT GROWTH


John Salkeld, Uniqema Business Manager for


Automotive Lubricants


While lubricant sales are relatively flat, synthetics are experiencing strong growth due to substitution of mineral oils . Synthetics as a whole are growing by around 6% with Esters and PAGs growing somewhat faster. This substitution is driven by a variety of clear benefits to end-users and formulators, namely


Continuously increasing demands for more extreme lubricant operating conditions


Use and disposal of lubricants to be more environmentally acceptable


Continuously decreasing overall system costs


Formulators' needs to differentiate and position lubricant products


Herve Fretay, Uniqema Business Manager for


Industrial Lubricants


As technical standards advance, consumer and industrial equipment is expected to run hotter and longer. The accompanying specifications also require that the lubricant performs to a standard level throughout the length of the fill. Lubricants are therefore required to show excellent long term thermal stability, as well as improved lubrication properties. With multi-component formulations, solubility and miscibility and general compatibility are also important. Mineral oils increasingly struggle to meet these requirements.


Environmental standards are continuously increasing, and frequently translate into financial costs. The impact can be direct (e .g. disposal costs), or indirect (e.g. changes in environmentally oriented specification rendering some formulations or components obsolete).


As operators become more sophisticated, overall system costs become more important than the initial


cost of the lubricant. Synthetics can contribute to longer oil lifetimes, hence less frequent maintenance, reduced equipment wear, and cheaper disposal costs. In addition, it can be possible to save on the specifications of equipment, or allow more flexible equipment design options on the basis of better lubrication.


A further benefit to formulators is the ability to differentiate their products, based on the increased flexibility and performance of synthetics. For example, the advanced properties Mobil 1, Shell Helix Ultra and Castrol RS are based on synthetics, and these products strengthen the brand for the rest of their product ranges. The flexibility of synthetics also allows for products to be tailored for particular niches.


ESTER & PAG BASESTOCKS


Esters and Polyalkylene Glycols (PAGs) are chemical families with a range of advanced properties. Since each can be made from a variety of building blocks, there is an infinite range of final molecules, allowing the flexibility of tailoring molecules for individual uses. Both ranges can be used as pure lubricants, or as components in broader synthetic or semi synthetic formulations.


Esters provide a number of benefits:


Low volatility and high oxidative stability, leading to longer life.


Low friction coefficients and viscosities (even at low temperatures), coupled with improved heat transfer properties, providing higher efficiency and lower wear of components.


Low toxicity, high biodegradability, and manufacture from renewable natural feedstocks, allowing formulations to meet stringent environmental legislation. Higher flashpoints contribute further to safety.


Good solubility and solvency properties, allowing ease of blending, retrofitting of esters to existing formulations, and contributing to engine cleaning. This allows trade-offs between cost and performance by mixing performance esters to PAO, hydrocracked or PIB base oils.


Synthetic Basefluid Markets 200 g "


., 150 E


100 50 0


WE I Source: ICI, Various!


• PAO 1!!!!1 PAG •


Esters


D Polybutenes • Alkylbenzene • Other speciality


us


AP


RoW


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