SUSTAINABILITY
Reducing friction, enhancing longevity, and embracing environmental friendliness
Dr. Raj Shah, Director and Mr. Jeff Gao, Koehler Instrument Company, and Dr. Mathias Woydt, Managing Partner, MATRILUB
The function of lubricants
Lubricants, integral to the seamless operation of machinery, are specialised substances designed to reduce friction and wear between moving surfaces as well as to prevent premature failure (scuffing) [1]. Their diverse forms—solid, liquid, gaseous, or semisolid (greases)— are equipped with further functionalities, like corrosion protection or dissipation and evacuation of heat and frictional heat. Beyond friction and wear control, lubricants play a pivotal role in managing wear debris and also serve as conduits for additives, which provide protective layers. The versatility of lubricants underscores their vital contribution to the efficiency, longevity, and safe operation of various mechanical systems. The daily importance of lubricants was summarised by John Eastwood, Head of Global Business Development for energy technologies at specialty chemical company CARGILL (formerly Croda): “If we don’t lubricate things, nothing would move, and the world would come to a standstill” [2]. This sentiment is the credo within the lubricant industry and anticipates the orientation to sustainability. The reduction in friction dominates more and more, because it saves energy and thus CO2
in the use phase of lubricants.
The environmental friendliness of lubes SHELL, a renowned global conglomerate specialising in energy and petrochemicals as well as market leader in lubricants by tonnage, presents a comprehensive framework comprising five pivotal elements aimed at fostering sustainability...
a. b. c.
Increasing efficiency by reducing friction. Biodegradability.
Collection and disposal of used oil.
d. Packaging from bioplastics and recycle plastic. e.
Increased flame points of most bio-lubricants.
These key points encompass cutting-edge advancements in lubricants, offering the dual benefits of emission reduction and significant cost savings for fleets [3,4]. Additionally, the adoption of biodegradable oils and non-toxic to aquatic milieus (bio-no-tox properties) emerges as a compelling solution because the liaison between water and soil quality and releases of lubricants to environment is well established. The term “bio-lubricant” is defined by EN16807.
Alarming statistics underscore the urgent need for responsible lubricant disposal practices, revealing that 50% of used lubricants globally seep into the environment without proper collection and disposal procedures [3,4]. Addressing this concern, SHELL emphasises the role of biodegradable lubricants in aligning businesses with consumer sustainability expectations and meeting stringent environmental regulations.
In an article penned by John Sander, Vice President of technology at Lubrication Engineers, Inc., similar sentiments like those from SHELL are echoed, emphasising the potential for formulating lubricants with high-performance bio-based materials. Such
Continued on page 38 LUBE MAGAZINE NO.180 APRIL 2024 37
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