ATIEL & UEIL Joint Sustainability Committee
with right RRBOs can meet many industry and OEM specifications. However, there are some limitations relating to the most stringent, latest generation European OEM specifications, which require the highest performing group III and IV base oils. Another limitation relates to higher viscosity RRBOs, where the used oil feedstock is predominantly from automotive applications, making it challenging tomanufacture RRBOs beyond 6cSt @ 100o
C.
This versatility, combined with the proven environmental gains identified through LCA studies, positions RRBOs as a key driver of sustainability within the lubricant industry, enabling producers to conserve resources, reduce emissions, and maintain high-quality performance across diverse applications.
4 Sustainable Portfolio Strategy
As there is a growing interest in sustainability, lubricant manufacturers must take a proactive approach to reducing environmental impacts throughout a product’s lifecycle. By adopting a sustainable portfolio strategy, companies can align with regulatory requirements, meet growing customer expectations, and contribute to a lower-carbon economy. This chapter outlines best practices for developing a sustainable lubricant and grease portfolio, leveraging ecodesign principles to optimize environmental performance without compromising technical efficiency.
4.1 Key Strategies for a Sustainable Lubricant Portfolio
Managing the end-of-life stage of lubricants is essential for reducing environmental impact. This chapter outlines strategies, such as expanding EALs, sourcing sustainable raw materials, promoting energy-efficient products, and applying ecodesign principles, that help ensure lubricants are not only sustainable during use but also have a minimized footprint at disposal or after unintended release.
4.1.1 Expanding Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants (EALs)
To minimize environmental impact, companies can increase their share of Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants22 (EALs). While EALs, often based on Group V base stocks, are biodegradable and low in toxicity, they present challenges such as higher costs, raw material availability, and limited recyclability. Future strategies should focus on optimizing formulations by using higher-performance Group III and IV base stocks, reducing additives, and developing longer-lasting lubricants.
Adopting fill-for-life lubricants, supported by additive refurbishment strategies, offers strong sustainability benefits, aligning with circular economy goals. These lubricants reduce waste and extend service life, minimizing the need for frequent replacements.
Key considerations include: • Developing longer-lasting lubricants to reduce consumption and waste.
22 Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants, EPA 800‐R‐11‐002 November 2011
https://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/vgp_environmentally_acceptable_lubricants.pdf
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