EDITOR’SDESK VOL 44 • MARCH 2023


Dr. James Wakiru Lubezine Magazine | Editor-in-Chief


Tractor lubrication practices in Kenya W


elcome to our first edi- tion of Lubezine Maga- zine in 2023. As usual, we have gathered for you the latest happenings in


the lubricants industry, both in Africa and beyond. In our cover feature we delve into the


state of tractor lubrication in Kenya. With the onset of rains that kick starts the planting season, tractors will be in con- stant use and ensuring they are properly lubricated will be key to guarantee that they are operating at optimum levels, by reducing downtime and increasing efficiency. Mr Baraka, a seasoned lubricants


professional from Kenya and the author of this article, exposes some of the myths that prevail as far as maintenance of tractors is concerned and their detri- mental impact on cost of maintenance, productivity and the environment. “Most of the time when I talk to tractor owners against using water in radiators, they get surprised and the common response is: “when I was born, my grandfather used water, my father used water so I use water” he says.


It has been reported elsewhere that the number of tractors in South Sahara region has declined from 235,000 in 1970 to 222,000 in 2000 (Vergnani, 2013). It will not be a far fetched assertion to attribute this decline to high cost of maintenance and short tractor life. Therefore, adher- ence to proper maintenance procedure for tractors will play a major role in support- ing agriculture mechanization drive in Africa.


In the professional interview segment,


we feature FUCHS LUBRICANTS SOUTH AFRICA Technical Manager who shares his experience in the lubricants industry, explains on the operations of FUCHS LUBRICANTS in South Africa and presents a general overview of the South African lubricants landscape. Still in the African continent, sig- nificant activities have been happening. In Nigeria, Bestaf Lubricants Limited commissioned a lubricant blending plant with a capacity of 200 million litres per annum. In South Africa, PETRONAS sold its 74% stake in Engen, one of the largest Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) in South Africa. This stake was sold to Vivo Energy, the marketer and distributor of


Shell fuels and lubricants in Africa and is now awaiting regulatory approval before the deal can be concluded. In Kenya, the Saudi Arabian based oil company Saudi Aramco made its entry after acquiring the operations of Valvoline Global Products Business. We also bring you news of the latest


products launched in the market like additives for Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants (EALs) by Lubrizol, Neste’s lubricants made from re-refined base oils and Castrol new lubricant for motorcycles. To wrap up this edition, we dive deeper


into motorcycle oils. Motorcycle transport is an important form of carriage in most parts of the world and especially in Africa. The article by Lubrizol addresses why it will be important to upgrade the performance levels of motorcycle oils. This is largely being driven by motorcycle markets around the world legislating tighter and tougher emissions standards. This is just a snippet of what this edition has in store for you. We welcome you to indulge and be up to date with the lubricants industry.


. Happy Reading! Publisher: Lubes Africa Ltd


Editor-in-Chief: Dr. James Wakiru


Design & Layout: Martin Serem


info@lubesafrica.com www.lubezine.com


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kibet.m@gmail..com Contributors:


Dr. James Wakiru


Miriam Wangari Mohamed Baraka Tarr Gregory


TotalEnergies Rymax Lubricants


Rubis Energy Kenya Lubrizol


Infineum Insight


Photography: Media Agencies Lubezine Library


Advertising & Subscription: AFRICA


Miriam Wangari


miriam.wangari@lubesafrica.com info@lubesafrica.com


EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST, ASIA David Jeffries


djeffries@onlymedia.co.uk


Only Media Ltd, United House 39-41 North Road, London N7 9DP, UK


Subscriptions: Lubezine is free to qualified subscribers who are involved in the lubricants industry as manufacturer’s end-users, marketers and suppliers to the oil industry. Lubezine is a quarterly publication of Lubes Africa Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be produced or transmitted in any form including photocopy or any storage and retrieval system without prior written permission from the publishers. ISSN 2664 3235 (Print) ISSN 2708-843X (Online)


LUBEZINE MAGAZINE | March 2023


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