CONTENTS Lubricants enable CO2


reduction Pages 6 to 8


Ultra low viscosity can help to meet the latest emissions legislation, but what are the implications?


The drivers for low viscosity lubricants are explored. Reliable data and market knowledge help Infineum to forecast the impacts that future viscosity trends could have on lubricant formulations.


Lubricating the Path to Fuel Economy Page 10


Reducing CO2 emissions is a major concern for


the global automotive industry Turn to page 10 to read how Castrol is working closely with their partners to help engineer lubricants that are fit for the future.


Real world emissions data is key to improving air quality Page 12


Why traditional regulated drive cycles are no longer enough for emissions testing Phil Stones, head of powertrain – emissions and fuel economy at Millbrook explains the importance of real world data in improving air quality. In the past heavy concern with vehicle emissions has been on melting ice caps and global warming; however with recent reports into the rise of death rates due to poor air quality the focus has inevitably shifted.


LubeTech PART TWO Pages 24 to 25 and 28 to 29 Shell introduces a new long life lubricant for engines burning sour A new product especially formulated for gas engines, will be introduced into the market. This Lube-Tech describes the challenges that different qualities of biogas impose on the engine and the lubricating oil. The findings of this research and development are published here.


UEIL Local Report Page 42 Ireland


The stringent requirements set by OEMs are one of the biggest challenges facing Ireland’s lubricants industry today. With Ireland’s modest passenger vehicle population the margin between the costs involved in introducing certain OEM engine oils versus the prospective return on investment can often be very fine. Turn to page 42 to discover more about Ireland’s automotive sector.


Regulars: UKLA President’s Report UEIL President’s Report UEIL News


UEIL Local Report ICIS Base Oil Report Appointments


Forthcoming Events Publisher’s details


Page 3 Page 3


Page 40 Page 42 Page 47 Page 47 Page 50 Page 50


Cover: Courtesy of Infineum. The pursuit of cleaner fuels that reduce harmful emissions is a goal shared by industry and governments but it is not without its challenges. Jonathan Flemming, Infineum Senior Lubricant Development Technologist explores how reliable data and extensive market knowledge help Infineum to forecast the impacts that future viscosity trends could have on lubricant formulations. Please turn to page 6.


4 LUBE MAGAZINE NO.125 FEBRUARY 2015


Good news for some, bad news for others


Happy New Year to Lube Magazine’s readers!


The price of oil is in the news again. This time it is because of a fifty percent fall in price (as I write it is less than $50 a barrel) and it is expected to drop further. Reference is often made to the price of a barrel of Brent Crude. You might ask yourself “What is Brent Crude?” Brent is one of the oilfields in the North Sea. Brent Crude is the benchmark price for purchases of oil against which almost half the world’s petroleum is priced. Brent is the benchmark for Atlantic basin crude oils. There are other well-known benchmarks: OPEC Reference Basket (Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries); Dubai Crude; Oman Crude; Urals oil and West Texas Intermediate (WTI).


The falling price of oil has hit the lubricants industry hard. Fluctuations in price on an unprecedented scale have created additional complexity and uncertainty in an already fiercely competitive industry.


For the UK economy media commentators report that falling oil prices are good news in general but if you happen to be in the oil business and based around Aberdeen it is bad news.


The UK economy is only partially dependent on oil exports. The UK economic structure is approximately 78% services, 21% industry and 1% agriculture, with oil accounting for 14% of the industry sector, ie 3% as a whole. So although a fall in oil price hits the oil producing sector, it benefits consumers; lowering the price of transport, heating and energy generation.


Aberdeen is in the heart of the British Oil Industry, because of its proximity. About 375,000 people work in the UK oil industry and half of those are in north east Scotland. Their economy is under pressure.


On a lighter note, I am delighted to point out to you that there are some new advertisers in this edition of Lube Magazine. Change is in the air.


It is the beginning of a new year. The UK is coming out of recession, with inflation down to unprecedented levels (0.5% the joint lowest on record). This means that low interest rates may continue for longer. It looks like an interesting year ahead. Let’s hope it’s a good one for the lubricants industry.


If you would like to contact me please do suzy@ukla.org.uk


Suzy Jarman Editor


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