Tightening regulations dictating products formulation

VOL 45 • JUNE 2023

Lubezine Magazine | Editor-in-Chief

W elcome to edition 45 of Lubezine Magazine which covers for you the happenings in the lubricants industry in Africa and beyond in the second quarter of the year 2023.

In the cover feature, we look at the role coolants will play in supporting the changes in the automotive industry. As vehicle engines are downsized to become more compact and more powerful, they are functioning at higher temperatures and hence the need for coolants that will offer good heat removal and robust corrosion protection properties.

To meet these new requirements in the automotive sector, coolants formulations are evolving and changing and there is a shift from Inorganic Acid Technology (IAT) coolants formulation to Organic Acid Technology (OAT) formulation. Our lead article by Pooja Sharma, Project Manager at Kline Energy delves deep into the different types of OAT-formulated coolants and how different markets in the world that are major vehicle manufacturers are taking up the new coolants formulations.

While discussing the changing products formulations to meet the new requirements being set in place majorly due to the drive towards sustainability, we also feature an insightful article from Lubrizol which focuses on Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants (EALs) and their growing popularity due to environmental concerns.

Martin Birze, Director of Industrial Products at The Lubrizol Corporation explains what EALs are and their impact on the environment. EALS as defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), are fluid formulations that meet certain standards for biodegradability, non-bio accumulative potential and minimal toxicity to aquatic life compared to conventional lubricants. While EALs must be formulated to maintain environmental friendliness, it is critical that they also retain their fundamental ability to protect industrial equipment.

In the professional interview, we feature Patrick Ireri, Lubricants Engineer at OLA Energy Kenya, one of the regional Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) with a presence in Kenya. OLA Energy is the official distributor of Mobil lubricants in

Kenya, and it has its own lubes brands: DEOMAX and ACCEL. Patrick talks about his journey in the lubes industry and the lubricants business of OLA Energy Kenya and his perspective about the market. One challenge that continues to bedevil the industry is counterfeit lubricants. Patrick ireri opines that purchasing lubricants from trusted outlets can help tame this menace. On this, he is supported by research carried out in the market that showed retail stations to be the most trusted purchase points for lubricants.

We have updates about companies like Arteco and LIQUI MOLY launching coolants for EVs. We also look at the investments, acquisitions and partnerships happening in the lubricants industry currently. ExxonMobil starts building a blending plant in India, while AMSOIL acquires BENZ Oil in the USA. In Africa, African Group Lubricants (AGL) acquires a blending plant and Shell Lubricants Egypt partners with Al-Mansour and General Motors for lubricants supply.

This and much more awaits you in the 45th edition..

Happy Reading!