Publisher’s Note

As per a recent study it was found that over 92% of lubrication professionals do not use any biodegradable lubricants at their plant. Strong environmental concerns and growing regulations over contamination and pollution in the environment have increased the need for renewable and biodegradable lubricants. Accelerating research and development in this area has also been driven by public demand, industrial concern, and government agencies. The depletion of the world’s crude oil reserve, increasing crude oil prices, and issues related to conservation have brought about renewed interest in the use of bio-based materials. Emphasis on the development of renewable, biodegradable, and environmentally friendly industrial fluids, such as lubricants, has resulted in the widespread use of natural oils and fats for non-edible purposes.

The application of plant oils and animal fats for industrial purposes, specifcally as lubricants, has been in practice for many years. Environmental and economic reasons lead to the utilization of plant oils and animal fats, or used oils and fats after their appropriate chemical modifcation.

Compared to petroleum-based lubricants, use of bio lubricants produces a cleaner, less toxic work, offers better safety, produces lesser emission, highly biodegradable, costs less over the product’s life-cycle, less maintenance and less storage and disposal requirements.

A tremendous demand for plant oils in the lubricant industry is expected over the next few years because plant oils are also cheaper than synthetic oils. They will become an important class of base stocks for lubricant formulations due to their positive qualities. Plant oils, in comparison to mineral oils have different properties due to their unique chemical structures. Some plant oils have better lubrication ability, viscosity indices, and superior anticorrosion properties, which are due to the higher affnity of plant oils to metal surfaces. In addition, flash points greater than 300 deg C classify plant oils as non-flammable liquids. To improve characteristics such as sensitivity to hydrolysis and oxidative attacks, poor low temperature behaviour, and low viscosity index coeffcients, plant oils may be chemically modifed. Plant oils may be used in almost all automotive and industrial applications. It will become more diffcult to fnd a balance between the economic possibilities of Bio lubricants and their ecological requirements. Products with toxicological and ecological issues must be excluded from further use in lubricants, if they pose a signifcant health risk. However, it must be taken into account that the technological level of lubricants will decrease if unnecessary restrictions are put into place. In conclusion, plant bio-based oils are an important part of new strategies, policies, and subsidies, which aid in the reduction of the dependence on mineral oil and other non-renewable sources.

We would like to thank you for the heartening response to our last edition’s cover story –“How to Evaluate a New Lubricant” and other articles. Our current issue’s cover story is on “How to change your Lubrication Culture”. This will help readers to know how to change from a culture of overlubrication to best-practice lubrication through sharing of knowledge and application of predictive maintenance technologies.

As always, we look forward to your valuable suggestions and feedback.

Warm regards,

Udey Dhir