Contents ISSUE No. 190 December 2025 9 13
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Regulars:
Editor’s Comment ....................................................................................... 3 Presidents’ Reports ...................................................................................... 4 Industry News & Moves ............................................................................... 6 GEIR ......................................................................................................... 49 UEIL News ................................................................................................. 53 VLS ........................................................................................................... 55 In conversation with Mike Boyer ............................................................... 56 Local Market Report, Germany .................................................................. 59 ICIS Base Oil Report ................................................................................... 61 Forthcoming Events .................................................................................. 62
Development of tribometric tools for characterising the electrical response of lubricants – Initial results from a modified 4-Ball wear test Tushar Khosla and Allen Cong, Rtec Instruments, Inc., Ashlie Martini and Alex Hartzler, University of California Merced School of Engineering, and Mathias Woydt, MATRILUB Materials l Tribology l Lubrication
The Ecodesign Directive and Digital Product Passports: Driving transparency and circularity in the EU market Dr. Dixit Parmar, Global Head of Sustainable Solutions, The Lubrizol Corporation
Per- and Polyfluorinated (PFAS) based Lubricants — why they are indispensable Stephan Baumgärtel, Managing Director, VSI
Wear performance of different lubricant formulations under varying current intensities and types using tribo-testing Dr. Ameneh Schneider, Gregor Patzer, Marie Ausböck, Optimol Instruments
Standards and regulations adopted in the Middle East Kritika Jaiswal, Director, Energy, Kline
Lube-Tech: Key trends in the development of sustainable marine lubricants for anti-fouling and reduced environmental impact – Part 2 Dr. Raj Shah, Director, Koehler Instrument Company, Andrew Zhang and Mathew Roshan, Chemical and Molecular Engineering Undergraduate Students, Stony Brook University, and Student Interns, Koehler Instrument Company, and Beau Eng and Gavin Thomas, Student Interns, Koehler Instrument Company
Confronting the challenges of product dumping in the lubricants industry David Wright, Director General, UKLA, Mattia Adani, President, UEIL, Mark Lord, Managing Director, Aztec Oils, and Gianluca Cuomo, LUBON Lubrificanti e Chimici
A night of celebration, charity and achievement: highlights from the 2025 UKLA Annual Dinner Tina Reading, Lube Magazine Editor, UKLA
Editor’s Desk
As we approach the end of another year, the December issue traditionally offers us a moment to pause, reflect, and look ahead. In an industry as technically complex and globally interconnected as ours, this reflection is not simply a seasonal ritual. It is a necessity. The lubricants sector continues to evolve at a remarkable pace, shaped by scientific innovation, geopolitical pressures, and an increasingly demanding regulatory landscape. This month, we place our spotlight firmly on regulation and tribology, two pillars that continue to determine the direction and resilience of our industry.
Regulation has never been more central to our daily work, whether we are navigating the practical implications of REACH, adapting to the latest sustainability requirements, or responding to shifting market dynamics driven by global sanctions and trade restrictions. The events of the past year have underscored just how critical robust, clear, and fair regulation is to maintaining a stable and competitive European lubricants market. As supply chains are tested and new uncertainties emerge, the need for consistent enforcement and industry transparency grows stronger. In this issue, we explore these challenges from multiple angles, including the complex realities of compliance, the impact of emerging policies, and the responsibilities placed on manufacturers, distributors, and end users alike.
At the same time, the science of tribology continues to propel us forward. Advances in lubrication technology are reshaping what machinery can achieve, from reducing energy consumption to extending component life and increasing operational efficiency. Researchers and engineers across Europe and beyond are pushing the boundaries of what is possible, developing systems and formulations that not only meet regulatory requirements but outperform them. Their work is at the heart of our mission as a sector, and it is a pleasure to bring their insights into these pages. Whether it is the latest research into surface interactions, breakthroughs in additive chemistry, or practical case studies from the field, tribology remains the engine room of innovation.
What becomes clear, as we bring together both regulatory and scientific perspectives, is that neither exists in isolation. The future of lubricants depends on our ability to bridge these worlds, ensuring that innovation is not stifled by regulation, and that regulation evolves alongside technological progress. Collaboration between policymakers, industry leaders and technical experts will be essential in the years ahead. Our industry has always risen to that challenge, and I am confident it will continue to do so.
As we close the year, I am grateful to our contributors, partners and readers for their continued expertise, enthusiasm, and support. Your commitment to advancing our shared knowledge ensures that Lube Magazine remains a trusted voice in an ever changing landscape.
I wish you a productive end to the year, a restful holiday season, and a successful start to 2026.
Tina Reading,
editor@ukla.org.uk
Lube Conference 2026 Save
the date: 10th June 2026 BMA House
Tavistock Square London
LUBE MAGAZINE NO.190 DECEMBER 2025
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