EDITOR INTERVIEW In conversation with... Juergen Schiefer, Sales Director, Europe, Ergon International.
Ergon is known for its naphthenic base oils such as HyGold. What properties do naphthenics have that provide superior performance in application against paraffinic oils?
- Solvency and viscosity. The unique chemistry of Ergon base oils offers increased viscosity and solvency compared to paraffinic base oils.
The move to Group II in Europe has led to a rationalisation of Group I base oil availability even though Group I remains around 40% of the total market. What role do naphthenics play in supporting this market change?
Naphthenics have long served industries that demand specific chemistries, and as naphthenic refineries rationalised in the ’80s and ’90s, a core group of industries remained that continued to be served by naphthenic base oils. Now as Group Is rationalise, industries will remain that are unable to convert to Group IIs and will either be serviced by the remaining Group Is or have their chemistry needs met with naphthenics. Ergon is dedicated to providing solvency and viscosity solutions to the market.
Some of Ergon’s markets such as insulating oils can be particularly hazardous. How does the nature of the market segment affect Ergon’s approach to developing and marketing products? - Ergon is committed to providing reliable products that meet the standards required to ensure the safety of the markets they go into. Additionally, Ergon has extended its portfolio of dielectric fluids to include biodegradability and high fire safety for specific applications where these properties are needed.
Ergon places great emphasis on purposeful growth, not just growing the fastest but recognising the place of every employee within the organisation. What role does purposeful growth play for Ergon’s customers? At Ergon, we understand that our success is tied to the success of both our customers and our employees.
54 LUBE MAGAZINE NO.172 DECEMBER 2022
Purposeful Growth is a core value — one we live and breathe
every day, with every decision and every solution.
The positive trajectory of our organisation has been steady since our founding in 1954. Growth has always been aligned with a clear purpose and vision as we have expanded from serving customers locally to providing products and services in more than 90 countries around the world. We are focused on growing the right way — not just the fastest way.
Ergon’s investment in present and future generations of employees empowers our teams to realise their full potential. We are committed to providing the best opportunities for employees to succeed. Ergon’s Organisational Development Department partners with leadership to ensure all companies excel in recruiting, retaining and developing the best people to reflect our core values and to ensure continued growth.
You have been involved in the naphthenics industry since 1993. Since this time, have there been many changes in your products, customers and markets that you have witnessed? - One big trend in the past 30 years has been naphthenic’s growth as a source for clean solvency. Low PAH legislation for tire process oil, enacted by the EU, caused a global shift from carcinogenic DAE oil to naphthenic oils in North America, South America, and parts of EMEA and Asia. This event led Ergon to expand the production capacity of its Vicksburg, MS refinery, demonstrating our commitment to supplying clean solvency and devotion to naphthenic chemistries.
www.ergon.com Expanded version of the article is available online at
lube-media.com
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