Sustainability in Lubricants: Bridging Performance with Environmental Responsibility

Advocates for sustainable and circular value chains state that the design and choice of materials stand out as the main tools for impacting both intrinsic and extrinsic sustainability aspects. Product design, responsible for up to 80% of environmental impact, and sustainable procurement drive the demand for more sustainable products. At Perstorp, our commitment to this is twofold, emphasizing:

• Polyol ester chemistry: Innovating lubricant formulations to achieve high environmental and performance standards, reducing additive use and enhancing biodegradability.

• Raw Material Sourcing: Minimizing reliance on virgin fossil resources and reducing the carbon footprint from cradle-to-gate by choosing renewable and recycled materials.  

What are the benefits of synthetic ester-based lubricants?

Synthetic esters (Group V) are at the forefront of advancements in the industry. They are well-regarded for their outstanding performance and heat resistance, making them the go-to for cutting-edge applications like electric vehicles (EVs) and immersion cooling technologies. Their rise in popularity is due to their impressive ability to be purpose engineered to deliver top performance in heat-transfer, and low- and high-temperature performance. 

The science behind synthetic esters allows us to fine-tune lubricant properties to meet both high-performance demands and environmental standards. This means we can engineer most of a lubricant’s base oil characteristics using polyol ester chemistry, significantly reducing the need for additional chemicals, such as additives. This precision extends to making the lubricants readily biodegradable. While the ease of breaking down usually depends on how thick the lubricant is, with polyol esters, we can adjust this by choosing specific types of acids in the formulation. 

Synthetic ester-based lubricants can also be engineered so that they become safer for water environments, demonstrating low toxicity levels comparable to those of other synthetic esters and certain vegetable oils. And when it comes to the risk of these chemicals building up in living organisms, polyol esters can be tailored to be less likely to do so, making them a safer choice for the planet. The ability to blend high performance and considerations of environmental impact through precise engineering makes polyol ester-based lubricants a standout choice in today's market. Even though the listed benefits apply to many polyol ester-based oils, Perstorp still strongly advocates for purpose testing of each substance’s environmental impact with regards to its’ intended application.

Why is strategic sourcing of renewable and recycled raw materials key for lubricant manufacturing?

In the industry’s pursuit of more sustainable lubricants, selecting the right materials is crucial. At Perstorp, we prioritize materials that not only uphold our product quality but also align with our long-term ambition of becoming Finite Material Neutral. This involves a shift towards renewable and recycled raw materials, which supports circular economy principles, decreases our reliance on non-renewable resources, and lowers the carbon footprint of our products. This strategic material selection is essential for guiding the industry towards more sustainable manufacturing practices and decreasing Scope 3 emissions. 

These principles are operationalized in the production of our Pro-Environment solutions. They are based on an ISCC PLUS certified mass balance approach, applying physical and chemical traceability. This approach comes with several benefits:

• No change in formulation: The properties of the building blocks are unchanged and thus continue to support the engineering of high-performing polyol ester-based lubricants.  
• Flexible Sourcing: It allows us to shift raw materials in existing production as demand for non-virgin fossil products with low carbon footprint increases.  
• Credibility: Makes product claims possible since there is a real traceability and connection from the renewable and recycled raw materials to the polyol ester.

What role does data play in the life cycle assessment of lubricants?

For the lubricant industry to embrace sustainable growth, it's crucial to base our actions on reliable data, especially when it comes to reducing emissions. We need to focus on the most impactful emission factors that shape the lubricants Product-Carbon Footprint (PCF). At Perstorp, we welcome this development and stress the importance of using solid PCF methodologies and pursuing primary data. 

The lubricant industry is on the way towards developing a more comprehensive approach towards evaluating the 'handprint' of lubricants, or their impact during use, to offer a clearer and fuller Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Here it is once again important that we verify data and align methodologies across value chains. This way, we, along with the entire supply chain, can make real progress on the industry’s journey towards reducing the environmental impact and product carbon footprint of lubricants, while demonstrating avoided emissions.

How can the lubricant industry broaden its sustainability efforts?

Addressing climate change involves more than just reducing emissions. Broadening the lubricant industry’s work with sustainability is about taking a comprehensive approach that covers areas such as waste management, water conservation, preventing deforestation, and ensuring responsible sourcing.  

Perstorp is working on embracing this comprehensive approach to sustainability, for example by setting the ambition of becoming Finite Material Neutral. As part of this journey, we have also set science-based targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well as targets for waste and water use, and (eco) toxic impact. We acknowledge that our commitment extends beyond our operations, to our partners and customers, recognizing that the sustainable transformation of the entire supply chain is linked to upstream practices. Achieving a significant shift towards sustainable practices requires collaboration across the entire ecosystem of partners, all working together to develop more sustainable solutions.