EDITOR’SDESK VOL 45 • JUNE 2023


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


Tightening regulations dictating products formulation


W


elcome to edition 45 of Lubezine Magazine which covers for you the happenings in the lubricants industry in


Africa and beyond in the second quarter of the year 2023. In the cover feature, we look at the


role coolants will play in supporting the changes in the automotive industry. As vehicle engines are downsized to become more compact and more powerful, they are functioning at higher temperatures and hence the need for coolants that will offer good heat removal and robust corrosion protection properties. To meet these new requirements in the


automotive sector, coolants formulations are evolving and changing and there is a shift from Inorganic Acid Technology (IAT) coolants formulation to Organic Acid Technology (OAT) formulation. Our lead article by Pooja Sharma, Project Manager at Kline Energy delves deep into the different types of OAT-formulated coolants and how different markets in the world that are major vehicle manu- facturers are taking up the new coolants formulations.


Publisher: Lubes Africa Ltd


Editor-in-Chief: Dr. James Wakiru


Design & Layout: Martin Serem


kibet.m@gmail..com


info@lubesafrica.com www.lubezine.com


2


Contributors: James Wakiru Miriam Wangari


While discussing the changing products


formulations to meet the new require- ments being set in place majorly due to the drive towards sustainability, we also feature an insightful article from Lubrizol which focuses on Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants (EALs) and their growing popularity due to environmental concerns.


Martin Birze, Director of Industrial


Products at The Lubrizol Corporation explains what EALs are and their impact on the environment. EALS as defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), are fluid formulations that meet certain standards for biodegradability, non-bio accumulative potential and minimal toxicity to aquatic life compared to conventional lubricants. While EALs must be formulated to maintain environ- mental friendliness, it is critical that they also retain their fundamental ability to protect industrial equipment. In the professional interview, we


feature Patrick Ireri, Lubricants Engineer at OLA Energy Kenya, one of the regional Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) with a presence in Kenya. OLA Energy is the official distributor of Mobil lubricants in


Rymax Lubricants Patrick Ireri


Edwin Ndegwa Kline Energy


Chevron Lubricants Products ENOC


Lubrizol Corporation


Photography: Media Agencies Lubezine Library


Kenya, and it has its own lubes brands: DEOMAX and ACCEL. Patrick talks about his journey in the lubes industry and the lubricants business of OLA Energy Kenya and his perspective about the market. One challenge that continues to bedevil the industry is counterfeit lubricants. Patrick ireri opines that purchasing lubricants from trusted outlets can help tame this menace. On this, he is supported by research carried out in the market that showed retail stations to be the most trusted purchase points for lubricants. We have updates about companies like


Arteco and LIQUI MOLY launching cool- ants for EVs. We also look at the invest- ments, acquisitions and partnerships happening in the lubricants industry currently. ExxonMobil starts building a blending plant in India, while AMSOIL acquires BENZ Oil in the USA. In Africa, African Group Lubricants (AGL) acquires a blending plant and Shell Lubricants Egypt partners with Al-Mansour and General Motors for lubricants supply. This and much more awaits you in the


45th edition. . Happy Reading!


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 | JUNE 2023


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