Bio-lubricants can make all the difference when it comes to reducing the environmental impact of industrial and automotive lubricants.
Year-on-year, the bio-lubricants sector keeps pace with our growing commitment to preserving the planet. Right now, the rate of growth exceeds that of the overall global lubricants market.
Interest has been spiked by concerns about the environmental toxicity of some synthetic lubricants, with potential issues including aquatic toxicity, bioaccumulation, biodegradability and solubility in water.
A related concern is the risk of synthetic lubricants being lost in the environment during the product’s lifecycle. This can arise during the production of raw materials, through transport, production, packaging, application use and final disposal.
Bio-lubricants have the potential to cause significantly less harm to the wider ecosystem, which means they can make all the difference when it comes to reducing the environmental impact of industrial and automotive lubricants.
Setting the bio-lubricant standard
A number of certification standards have been established to support standardisation of the bio-lubricants market.
These include the European ECOLABEL, which measures five key aspects of biodegradability, such as bioaccumulative potential and aquatic toxicity.
Other localised labelling systems include the German Blue Angel, the Nordic Swan and the Swedish standards SS 155434 and 155470, which stipulate the need for high biodegradability alongside low acute and chronic toxicity of additives towards water-borne organisms.
In the US, meanwhile, USDA Biopreferred is the gold standard every brand aspires to.
When considering regulations, the main drivers for bio-based products arise from those relating to marine and offshore fluids. The most important of these include the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), OSPAR and the IMO Polar Code.
Where to find bio-lubricants in action
- Marine and subsea operations: for stern tubes, rudders, recreational and water sport activities
- Construction / mining: powering hydraulic systems excavators, draglines, crushers, mills and roller presses
- Forestry / agriculture / urban green areas: in open cutting systems such as chainsaws and harvesters
- Outdoor activities: including for marine outboard engines, jet skis, ski-lifts and snow mobiles
Bio-Solutions to watch out for
- Vegetable and ester base oils
- Polyalkylene glycols (water soluble and water insoluble).
- Additive packages and components, such as anti-wear, extreme pressure, antioxidants, antifoam, corrosion inhibitors, metal deactivator and tackifiers.