tailored nature, a Group IV or polyalphaolefin, can be sourced from a number of suppliers and in general a selection will be chosen and used solely on commercial pricing.
This ever-changing base oil supply demand has shadowed the development of heavy duty diesel engine oils as legislation has pushed engine manufacturers to develop engine technology that is ever more fuel efficient. Increased stresses on the formulators of heavy duty diesel engine oils have taken them down the path of increased use of base oils with improved performance characteristics.
on their physical and chemical properties. This is has led to a line in the sand being drawn. A raft of new engine oils are emerging to take fuel efficiency to the next level, with the key being High Temperature High Shear (HTHS) constraints. The oil formulations with lower HTHS levels that are required by the newer engine designs may not be suitable for older engine designs and could potentially lead to accelerated wear issues. This heralds a new layer of complexity. Holding these products for new innovative engine designs puts additional pressure on production, stock holding and logistics. But of course, we cannot forget the vast number of vehicles already out there that require ‘older’ style engine oil formulations. This is where the volume is, and this is where it is important to support the ‘bread and butter’ business customer. There is therefore a need to serve both new and older commercial vehicles.
Of course, we have not even considered the active chemistry in the form of additive packages available from reputable technology providers. It is here where the road to complexity or rationalisation starts. This part of the supply chain has been dominated by the ‘big four’ who have a long history of developing proprietary formulations for the heavy duty diesel market and have ongoing development programs to accommodate existing and upcoming OEM and International specifications. These technology providers work closely with the OEMs and through a mixture of bench testing, rig testing and field trials, a robust, fit for purpose formulation emerges. However, this new requirement may be quite niche, with only a handful of engine models targeted. The commercial volumes to produce these niche formulations may be too small and not be worth the investment. The technology providers must therefore choose carefully where the R&D spend will be best deployed. This not only narrows the options for the oil blenders but could possibly require specific base oil types that may or may not be kept on site. And of course, negotiated prices may be too high when there are no competing alternatives.
One of the most significant changes in recent years has seen the introduction of oil specifications for new engine platforms that have even tighter limits imposed
The new raft of heavy duty diesel engine oils specifications bring with them a host of formulation challenges, which are covered in depth by the technology providers who do explain it outstandingly well with their own published articles. But as an oil blender we need to be aware of what is out there and what is on the horizon. We must make decisions that meet the needs of our customers and end users whilst maintaining robust business and financial sense.
The increased number of formulations available for the commercial vehicle market can make it difficult for buyers and end users to choose and use the correct engine oil. As highlighted, using the incorrect engine oil can cause engine failure, premature component wear, vehicle downtime and loss of income as trucks and other commercial vehicles are not on the road earning their keep. The lubricant industry needs to continue to provide clear information and sound advice to buyers and end users to help ensure the correct oil is selected and used.
To summarise, the world and the lubricant industry are not standing still and are moving at an ever-increasing rate to bring long lasting sustainable options to the table. Oil blenders play a significant role and contribute to how this will be achieved, but there are no cutting corners. We do it right or not at all. Our customers work hard to be successful, reliable and competitive and we cannot let them down.
morrislubricants.co.uk
LUBE MAGAZINE NO.189 OCTOBER 2025
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