In this issue we will discuss the pros and cons of traitional catalysis versus biotechnology based catalysis e.g. bugs. Is one better than the other or could we use them together in a combination to improve some aspects of the technology. In the main article we will focus on what makes the wheels go round and why we shouldn't underestimate the versatility of biobased lubricants. Decoupling the lubricants from the oil pricing as well as having a multitude of sources from which they derive.

/Andreas Leveau

Biobased Lubricants – The Next Step Towards a Greener Industry

Renewable feedstock and the reduction of CO2 emission are both playing a big role when discussing ways to increase industrial sustainability. But when putting so much focus on what goes into our processes and what comes out on the other side, it is often easy to forget the things that literally helps the wheels of the machinery to turn. It is time to bring forth the biobased lubricants.

Only a small fraction of today’s global lubricant market consist of biobased lubricants, estimations vary from less than 1% up to 5%, but the demand seems to be growing with 5-10% / year. In addition to agribusiness such as Cargill, LubriGreen BioSynthetics and Performance Bioilubes, biotech start-up companies such as Elevance Renewable Science, Amyris and Solazyme have entered the market with fermentation based processes.

The primary drive force behind this developing market is not, as one might assume, the strive for increased sustainability. In fact both vegetable-derived and biosynthetic based oils have certain advantages over their petroleum counterparts in different applications. Apart from being nontoxic and biodegradable, the oils can be imparted with certain performance characteristics and tailored to meet the special needs of different consumers. This is done by controlling chain lengths, saturation level and functional group additions and also through hydrogenation, oxidation, polymerization, amidation and esterification. By combining different modifications it is possible to obtain oils that better withstand severe operating conditions, contaminants and that have good oxidative and thermal stability. Another advantage with biobased lubricants is that they do not rely on a single source of supply, and more importantly, they are disconnected from petroleum pricing.