CONTENTS Thoughts!


Volvo self-driving trucks Pages 6 & 7 Trucks of the future; closer to reality than you think In just ten years’ time trucks are going to be a lot different to those of today. Long distance haulage for the future: long rigs, controlled by autopilot, driven non-stop in nose-to-tail convoys on green super-motorways linking the continents. This is the vision of the future that generated the ideas behind the Volvo Concept Truck 2020 design concept.


Innovative coated piston from Federal-Mogul reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions Page 8


New EcoTough® -coated pistons reduce friction losses


Federal-Mogul has developed a new coated piston for gasoline engines that combines the properties of low wear and low friction in a single application. The key behind EcoTough-coated piston technology is the composition of the coating.


Grease Concepts for the Future Page 10


At the UNITI Mineral Oil Technology Congress in March 2010


Karl-Josef Minis, Product Manager Greases, FUCHS EUROPE SCHMIERSTOFFE GmbH spoke on the future grease technologies for automotive applications. Greases for modern automotive application are not just a simple consumable, but are a vital construction element.


The Interview Pages 12 & 14


Stuart Milne, ExxonMobil, Mobil Industrial European Marketing Manager Stuart reported that Mobil Industrial Lubricants had launched new ranges of lubricants that are based on breakthrough technologies – including bespoke synthetic fluids that provide significant benefits for users. To date Mobil Industrial Lubricants has launched three new products in this synthetic category.


UEIL


Pages 16 - 18 Congress 20th to 22nd October, the REACh Pane, Paul Whitehead Biography A preview of the three-day programme showing guest speakers and topics covered. UEIL Congress delegates will have the opportunity to ask questions and explore with an eminent panel of industry and regulatory experts pertinent aspects of the REACh legislation.


LUBE-TECH Pages 19 - 22 Infineum Trends: Part 2 of a 2-part series Lube Magazine presents the second part of Infineum Trends review, which provides the latest Infineum view on what’s happening (present and future) in the lubricants sector, the key technical changes, analysis of market conditions and details of directional movements for the various main lubricant sectors. This issue covers sections on the Power Transmissions, Heavy Duty Diesel Oils and Global Markets.


Lubrichem Page 23


The Romanian Lubricants, Chemicals and Auto Accessory Sector Trade Organisation Six years ago the formation of LUBRICHEM in Romania, signified the natural development of its maturing lubricants, chemicals and auto accessories markets. Today, Lubrichem represents more than 80% of the Romanian market and also brings together most of the important sector companies that are operating in Romania from the European Union, Russia and the U.S.A.


The UNITI Lubrication Committee Page 26 A platform for German and international activities of UNITI and UEIL UNITI is the German association representing medium-sized companies in the fuels, lubricants and heating fuels sector. UNITI membership includes over 3,000 companies employing approximately 60,000 people, with a total annual turnover of about 31 billion Euros.


Regulars: UKLA President’s Report UEIL President’s Report UEIL News


ICIS Base Oil Report Forthcoming events Publisher’s details


4


Page 3 Page 3


Page 16 Page 36 Page 38 Page 38


LUBE MAGAZINE No.99 OCTOBER 2010


Having lived and worked through a number of recessions, I thought I would share some of my thoughts as we emerge from the latest one. Probably, just like many Lube Magazine readers I have heard hopeful noises from experts that there are signs that the recovery is underway and the statistics now confirm this to be true. But, the recent UK and French downward revisions to projected Gross Domestic Product (GDP) or Industrial Output figures confirms these two countries now predict a slower recovery.


In the UK, we seem to have reached the stage of stock rebuilding, destocking has come to an end and manufacturing is beginning to commence the process of stock building again. Initially as we came out of recession, manufacturing was only making goods as orders were received, but now we see the signs of slow, but steady growth. Consumers have also re- entered the buying cycle, but some consumer groups are still being very cautious about how they spend - what money they have available. Consumer outlets (stores, malls and shops, etc.) are also beginning the process of stock rebuilding. It was apparent to me that many outlets were much quicker to destock this time – I suppose experience of previous downturns was put into play. Around Europe a similar picture has emerged, but each country’s situation depends on specific local issues and these vary country to country. Higher unemployment levels, although now on a downward trend, will also reduce demand in some countries as unemployed people struggle to afford anything in excess of their basic needs.


I remember only too well as we came out of several previous recessions, one of the first signs was a spate of insolvencies, mainly at companies who didn’t having sufficient working capital to be able to start growing their businesses again. This time, I am not sure whether we will see as much insolvency, due to this particular problem. I believe, many companies reacted and downsized much more quickly reducing their exposure to the downturn, but I am sure we will see exceptions.


My guess is that the continued reluctance of banks to lend money to industry, especially to those companies who they now see as poorer risk than they did before the recession, will have the biggest effect on industry and the speed of the recovery. Plus, the scale of this recession may have changed some business practices, with loans being paid off or back and then not being replaced. Some companies and consumers blame the length of the recession on the global banking / investment sector and their sudden change in policy / practice to be more selective in who they lend to, coupled with their need to rebuild capital. This action is also worrying governments as it may reduce the speed of our recovery. Hopefully, more rational thought will prevail soon!


Rod Parker


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