Lubricants specialist Fuchs has announced its collaboration with BASF in performing a cradle-to-grave analysis of different mineral oil hydraulic fluids that takes into account all environmental and economic aspects of their lifecycle. The study concluded that high performance multigrade hydraulic oil (HVLP) has a lower environmental impact and lower overall cost than monograde hydraulic oil (HLP). 

 

Fuchs said, “This advantage is mainly based on an improved diesel fuel economy throughout the use phase - primarily due to improved volumetric fluid efficiency lower friction and lower fluid mass circulation ratio - which clearly overcompensates a slightly higher environmental footprint of these products in the cradle-to-gate phase. The improved fuel economy was enabled mainly through the higher hydraulic fluid efficiency of the specific fully formulated multigrade hydraulic oils.

 

“With this study we are jointly pioneering the assessment of sustainability aspects within the lubricant industry,” said Dr. Lutz Lindemann, Chief Technology Officer, FUCHS PETROLUB SE. “We really value the broad competencies around sustainability and analytical methods which BASF has brought to the table to make it happen in combination with practical, realistic and application relevant FUCHS know-how. FUCHS and BASF are currently looking at further cases to jointly evaluate, but also at application cases for BASF’s sustainable product portfolio of lubricant components.”

 

“Sustainability is at the core of our business,” added Dr. Julia Frey, Vice President Business Management EMEA Fuel and Lubricant Solutions, BASF SE. “As a leading solution provider to the industries we serve, it is our aspiration to continually, together with our partners, advance the implementation of a fact-based approach to the topic within the fuel and lubricant sector.”

 

Fuchs and BASF both supply lubricants and chemical products to the cement industry.