Lube-Tech PUBLISHED BY LUBE: THE EUROPEAN LUBRICANTS INDUSTRY MAGAZINE
Investments and commercial development The viability of genomic optimisation research has led to significant commercial investment in bio-lubricant production, storage, and development. In April 2023, ExxonMobil, a U.S.-based oil and gas company, announced a $110 million investment to create a lubricants production facility in India, with a predicted annual capacity of 159 million litres. The project is nearing its completion as it aims to be operational by the end of 2025 [2]. Although the facility is not exclusively dedicated to bio-lubricants, it is positioned to serve growing domestic demand from steel, mining, power, construction, and automotive sectors increasingly wanting environmentally preferable lubricants [2]. This also reflects recognition in Asian markets for wanting sustainable industrial production as regulations are increasingly put in place.
In February 2024, Kraton Corporation introduced SylvaSolve, a new line of bio-based oils from renewable sources. Their purpose of design applies to industrial products (adhesives, coatings) and personal care products. Likewise, this line exemplifies the common motive of petroleum-based product companies seeking eco-friendly alternatives for their products [2]. Moreover, it shows how companies are using bio-based feedstocks across different products to diversify. By making platform technologies that can be used for a variety of applications, production can be scaled and lower costs. So, bio-based chemicals can be competitive like petroleum chemicals [2].
Ultimately, the landscape of bio-lubricants includes many major energy companies. Familiar companies such as Shell plc, Chevron Corporation, and ExxonMobil are described to be “key bio-lubricant companies” because of their large market shares within the field. Specialised manufacturers such as CASTROL Limited, FUCHS, and Kluber Lubrication are also included; these companies have been reportedly
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expanding their portfolios of bio-based products over the past few years which is a step toward the wider usage of bio-lubricants [2]. Moreover, many of the companies mentioned have an identity as a manufacturer for petroleum products, suggesting an increasing preference for buyers to go eco-friendly.
Regulatory frameworks driving adoption Government regulatory policies have been strong influences on biolubricant adoption, creating performance standards and market access requirements that prefer eco-friendly products. For instance, in the European Union, the Ecolabel for Lubricants established criteria on lubricant qualities like ready biodegradability (the rapid and complete breakdown), aquatic toxicity, bioaccumulation potential, and renewability [9].
Manufacturers who want their products to be Ecolabel certified have to demonstrate that at least 25% of their composition consists of bio-based carbon content to be sold as “bio-based” or a “biolubricant” [9]. Although a decently modest threshold, a clear baseline has been established, pushing for renewability and preventing misleading environmental marketing with minimal bio-based content that declare to be “bio-based.” Beyond renewable content, the EU Ecolabel mandates stricter biodegradability for applications with higher stakes or greater environmental risk. For example, hydraulic oils, classified as “Accidental Loss Lubricants,” must contain over 90% of ready biodegradable content; two-stroke oils and stern tube oils, labeled as “Partial Loss Lubricants,” require over 75%; and greases require over 80% [9]. Including environmental toxicity, the EU Ecolabel requires compliance with certification schemes for sustainable palm oil production to prevent deforestation and ecosystem degradation, which is associated with feedstock cultivation [9]. Additional requirements include a minimum 25% post-consumer recycled plastic content in lubricant packaging, alongside
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