GREASES
Lithium greases and their future
Naomi Pells, Technical Manager, Ironsides Lubricants
Lithium and lithium-complex-based greases still account for more than 70% of the global grease market, which isn’t surprising when so many original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) specify these types of greases for their equipment.
But why are lithium-based greases so popular? It’s because they offer a good mixture of inherent properties that make them suitable for numerous applications- from multipurpose to heavy duty – and until recently they were considered to offer the best performance-to-cost ratio.
Automotive influence The automotive industry is a significant consumer of lithium grease; using it in various applications ranging from the chassis, to wheel bearings and joints, and beyond, which means this industry is one of the main influencers behind the lithium grease market. The automotive market did somewhat decline during the global pandemic, however in emerging markets, such as China and Brazil, population increases have since factored into an increase in the demand for automotives post-pandemic. Although the internal combustion engine (ICE) is the most common engine type on our roads, new factors are impacting the vehicle market, especially in the EU.
One such major factor is the European Green Deal, which aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030[1] by leading the way with electrification. This is having a considerable impact on the automotive industry, which has seen demand for electric vehicles recently rise. As the automotive industry changes and
20 LUBE MAGAZINE NO.174 APRIL 2023
evolves, so too will the lubrication requirements of the applications and components involved.
Ironsides’ core product ranges centre around lithium and lithium complex greases, and an exponential increase in the cost of lithium has taken place over the last twelve months, with limited availability driving up the prices for lithium to unprecedented levels. The conflict in Ukraine and the sanctions against Russia have also reduced the processing capacity and availability of lithium. Additionally, many aspects of the petrochemical industry (and indeed, even the consumer markets) have seen widespread availability issues, as well as price increases on numerous commodities.
The major factor driving the lithium market however, is the push for the electrification of vehicles, which, using today’s technology, requires vast quantities of lithium to manufacture lithium-ion batteries, without which electric vehicles (EVs) would not be able to run. Whilst the automotive industry is acquiring the vast majority of the available lithium, this leaves grease manufacturers with little choice but to succumb to the expensive commodity demands in order to continue production and maintain the vital supply of behind- the-scenes lubrication.
Although lithium is extracted in vast quantities, it is still not enough to fulfil the forecasted global demand in the coming years. And whilst EV popularity continues to rise, the sustainability of lithium greases as lubricants remains under review, leaving end-users of lithium-based greases contemplating alternatives.
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