How is the Push for Sustainability Changing Industrial Lubricants?

A Brief History of Industrial Lubricants

The history of industrial lubricants dates back to ancient civilizations. For about as long as mankind has built tools and devices with moving parts, we’ve had a need to find ways to reduce friction. Lowering friction increases efficiency and reduces wear, substantially extending the life of parts. Simple, right?

During the Industrial Revolution, as mechanical innovation grew at a breakneck pace, the lubricants of old were no longer sufficient. Primitive animal—and plant-based lubricants simply couldn’t withstand the increased pressure, friction, and heat of modern metal machinery. They broke down too quickly, requiring frequent re-lubing and limiting the performance and lifespan of parts. 

Early Industrial Lubricants Before Petroleum Products 

• Olive oil: Used in ancient Egypt to move large stones and reduce friction in machinery.
• Animal fats (tallow): Applied to chariot axles in ancient Egypt to ensure smooth operation.
• Vegetable oils: Such as castor oil, peanut oil, and rapeseed oil, used for their lubricating properties.
• Whale oil and porpoise oil: Widely used from the 16th century for their lubricating qualities.

The Mother of Invention and Petroleum-Based Industrial Lubricants

They say necessity is the mother of invention. The Industrial Revolution brought about tremendous changes. At the dawn of the Locomotive Age, we were looking for ways to mechanize everything. Before the gasoline-powered engine came about, steam engines and coal-fired machinery demanded high-performance industrial lubricants, so we had to invent them. 

The demand for better lubricants grew, leading to the use of petroleum-based oils. Petroleum-based industrial lubricants could last far longer than anything animal or plant-based and withstand temperatures that would quickly cook organic lubricants and turn them into gooey crust. 

The existence of these more modern lubricants made new machines possible—machines with far more precision and performance. So, while the advent of machines was the first to drive the development of better lubricants, the innovation in lubricants made newer and better machines possible. 

Synthetic Industrial Lubricants Smash Through the Last Wall of Limitations

Finally, in the 20th century, synthetic lubricants were developed, in part, from natural gas, offering superior performance for advanced machinery. Synthetic lubricants offered greater purity, higher lubricity and resistance to breakdown. 

Advanced synthetic lubes could also offer consistent performance at temperature extremes that conventional lubricants made from oil simply couldn’t handle. Synthetic industrial lubricants not only reduced wear, helping parts and machinery last longer—they also allowed for more time between maintenance intervals. This saved time and money.

In a sense, the invention of synthesized industrial lubricants broke through the last major barriers left. Once again, innovation in lubrication made it possible to develop better tools and machines that wouldn’t have been practical or even possible without synthetic lubricants. 

Sustainability:  The New Frontier of Industrial Lubricants

For the first time in history, the focus in the development of industrial lubricants is on something more than just performance or longevity. We’ve already won those battles. So what’s next? Sustainability. The petrochemical and lubricants industry is facing a new challenge: creating a new generation of industrial lubricants that not only perform well but can also be sustainably produced. Eco-friendly, high-performance industrial lubricants are the mission in 2025 and beyond. 

With sustainability as a primary goal, the industrial lubricants industry is undergoing a transformative shift towards more environmentally responsible solutions. This change is being driven by a blend of innovative ingredients, advanced technologies, and improved procedures aimed at reducing the ecological footprint of lubricants.

1. Bio-based Ingredients

One of the most significant strides in sustainable lubricants is the use of bio-based ingredients. Traditional lubricants, derived from petroleum, pose environmental risks due to their non-renewable nature and potential for pollution. Ironically, we have come full circle, returning to the natural world for solutions, but only now are we armed with advanced science.  

The new generation of innovative, bio-based lubricants use renewable resources such as:

• Vegetable Oils: Oils like soybean, canola, and sunflower are increasingly being used because they are biodegradable and less toxic.
• Animal Fats: By-products from the meat industry, such as tallow, offer an alternative with high lubricity and biodegradability.
• Synthetic Esters: Derived from organic acids and alcohols, synthetic esters offer superior performance while being environmentally friendly.

2. Advanced Additive Technologies

Modern industrial lubricants are also being enhanced with innovative additives that improve performance and reduce environmental impact:

• Anti-Wear Additives: Protect machinery from wear and tear, thereby extending equipment life and reducing waste.
• Biodegradable Additives: Ensure that lubricants break down more easily in the environment, minimizing pollution.
• Friction Modifiers: Enhance efficiency by reducing energy consumption during machinery operation.

3. Enhanced Production and Recycling Procedures

Sustainability in industrial lubricants is about more than just the product itself. It also plays a part in how modern lubricants are manufactured and disposed of. More than ever, lubricant manufacturers are thinking about what happens when these products are created, what happens to them throughout their life cycle, and how they are eventually disposed of. 

Some of the solutions to this part of the equation include: 

• Cleaner Production Techniques: Advanced refining processes that minimize energy use and reduce emissions.
• Recyclable Packaging: Use of materials that are easier to recycle and have lower environmental impact.
• Closed-loop Systems: Implementing systems where used lubricants are collected, cleaned, and reused, reducing waste.

4. Environmental Certifications and Standards

Finally, we have developed new standards and certifications to ensure compliance with sustainability goals. The end users (us) don’t have time to research every manufacturer and ingredient, so looking for signs that specific standards are met is a helpful shortcut. 

To ensure lubricants meet high environmental standards, many manufacturers are seeking certifications such as:

EU Ecolabel: Indicates compliance with strict environmental performance standards.

ISO 14001: Lubricants labeled ISO 14001 demonstrate adherence to effective environmental management systems.

Mansfield Service Partners: Supplying America’s Lubricants Since 1932

Mansfield Service Partners has been a dependable fuel, lubricants, and services provider for nearly a century. Our mission is to keep America’s factories, plants, and machines operating smoothly and well-supplied with high-quality fuels and lubricants.  

Mansfield Service Partners manages almost everything related to diesel fuel, lubricants, and an array of relevant services for your business.

Contact Mansfield Service Partners for your business today. Reach us at (800) 683-1331 or email any inquiries to info@mansfield.energy