Shell Aviation rolls out alubricants lifecycle sustainability approach

S hell Aviation has introduced a new lifecycle sustainability approach for its AeroShell aviation lubricants to avoid, reduce and then compensate for lifecycle carbon emissions. This will be achieved through optimising production and product design, embedding circularity into product packaging, improving the energy efficiency of facilities, and using renewable energy to reduce emissions across the supply chain. Shell will then purchase high-quality, independently verified carbon credits to compensate for carbon emissions which are not currently being avoided or reduced.

The new lifecycle sustainability approach will be included as standard across the full AeroShell product range, including Turbine Engine Oils (TEOs), Piston Engine Oils (PEOs), greases and fluids, for both the commercial airline and general aviation markets. Vincent Begon, General Manager Aviation Lubricants, Shell Aviation, said: “While SAF and fuel efficiency are rightly highlighted as key levers to decarbonise aviation, for the aviation sector to reach net zero it must address emissions from all aspects of aircraft operations in order to decarbonise – so this means lubricants too, even if they do represent a small proportion of aviation emissions when compared to jet fuel. It is a real point of pride that AeroShell will now support our customers in maintaining aircraft performance while taking action on decarbonisation.”

SOURCE | SHUTTERSTOCK/SCHARFSINN

Across Shell’s entire global lubricants business, the measures implemented to avoid and reduce carbon emissions include:

• Increasing the use of re-refined base oils.

• Using more recycled content in product plastic packaging.

• Taking out over 55 Kilotons CO2 of Scope 1 & 2 GHG emissions from global lubricants operations

• Over 50% of the electricity imported to Shell Global Lube Oil Blending Plants (LOBPs) now coming directly from renewable sources through the installation of solar PV panels and green power contracts, or indirectly using Renewable Energy Credits (RECs).

• Installing solar PV panels at 11 of Shell’s lubricant blending plants, expecting to generate over 11,000 MWh of electricity annually, and can result in the avoidance of GHG emissions of over 6,000 tonnes CO2 per year.

• Optimising delivery networks to reduce road transport by 1.3 million miles since 2021. .