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energy sources or whether it will also require fossil- based resources?


In 2024, globally 106.6 megatons of non-metallic minerals (sand, concrete, gravel), materials (metal ores), biomasses (wood, food) and energy carriers were consumed by humanity, of which around 9.5 megatons were recycled and recovered resources [5]. The OECD study Global Material Resources Outlook to 2060 [6] estimates that the global material consumption (without cycled resources) of 92.1 gigatons in 2017 will rise to 167 gigatons in 2060. The International Resource Panel of UNEP [7] expects a larger increase to 190 gigatons.


One has to be careful regarding carbon emissions, because those allocated to total primary energy services (TPES) and to electricity (or electrical energy) are often being confused or mixed up. The global share of renewable energy in 2022 to TPES was 12.3% (in addition to nuclear, as it is CO2


gas removal mitigation as potential different options for actions as summarised by the United Nation´s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) [10,11]. Tribology and lubrication sciences prevents CO2


emissions. Friction reduction and service life


extensions are very attractive offers made available by tribology and lubrication sciences, because they do not impose any restrictions on the end user, as the functionalities and modes of use remain unchanged. The motto is: Get more out of use from the same!


Reductions in energy consumption through friction reduction are still more important than CO2


savings


through service life extensions of goods, assets or appliances, because the problem of “obsolescence” set upper limits on useful lifetimes. Lifetime extension on the other hand will allow more people to benefit as more goods can be made from the same amount of resource, as more and more mineral resources will become increasingly in future.


neutral) [8].


In order to satisfy all of this energy consumption, and also taking into account increasing demand in Africa, which is itself forecast to grow from 1.2 to 3-4 billion by 2100, energy will need to be conserved everywhere; both energy consumption in the use phase and in the use of physical resources (materials, food, wood and marine) of all kinds.


Tribology and lubrication sciences have two significant and hidden contributions in the use phase (downstream) to reduce 39.0+3.1 fossil, anthropogenic, direct energy and non-energy related CO2


emissions CO2 . in 2023 [9]:


gigatons of total greenhouse gas emissions (THG) CO2eq


a. Around 2.0 to 8.0 gigatons CO2 eq. by reducing


friction in moving elements (energy efficiency) and


b. Around >1.7 to >2.6 gigatons CO2eq doubling lifetime of goods [10].


. by


The aforementioned figures illustrate, that friction reduction (e.g., by lubricants) generates higher reduction in GHG emissions, than longevity, i.e., increasing the usable life of goods. The hidden offers of tribology and lubrication sciences offer greenhouse


Friction reduction and longevity are two of the essential building blocks of sustainability with a high inherent technology that are convenient, available and easy to implement, especially in the development of future products. These benefits must be communicated to consumers so they are willing to pay more as they understand the benefits and value of these products. Friction reduction and longevity amortise the investment over time through the inherent benefits arising from use. As a kind of


1 The 70th general assembly of the United Nations adopted in September 2015 the framework on “Sustainability” with 17 global sustainability goals, which are broken down into 169 indicators.


In terms of sustainability, there is a general “cost-value dilemma”! The question of who has to pay the price for sustainability can lead to a commercial conundrum for both end customers and businesses. Appealing to the moral mission of climate protection doesn’t really work. Regardless of the question, how everyone defines sustainability1


, emissions in relation to 57.1±5.4)


the use by mankind of the readily available and free resources from nature comes in future with higher costs, but how can low-carbon solutions generate additional value as perceived by our customers in order to motivate them to pay more as a “green premium”? At this point, the use-phase efficiency by lubrication sciences and tribology improves total cost of ownership and offsets higher costs at purchase for lower impact climate-friendly products and services.


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LUBE MAGAZINE NO.187 JUNE 2025


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