Advances in biobased lubricant additive development

Authors: Biresaw, Girma; Bantchev, Grigor; Liu, Zengshe - Kevin; Harry O Kuru, Rogers

Submitted to: International Symposium on Surfactants in Solution
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/27/2018
Publication Date: 6/3/2018
Citation: Biresaw, G., Bantchev, G.B., Liu, Z., Harry O Kuru, R.E. 2018. Advances in biobased lubricant additive development [abstract]. International Symposium on Surfactants in Solution. p. 18.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Lubricant formulations comprise two categories of ingredients: base oils and additives. Depending on its application, a formulation may contain one or more from each category. Additives are the most expensive ingredients of lubricant formulations and, for some applications, can comprise 25 to 40% w/w of the formulation. In biobased lubricant formulations, maximum economic, environmental, safety and health benefits (e.g., renewability, biodegradability, low toxicity) is achieved when both the base oils and additives are biodegradable. While there are some commercial biobased base oils in the market for use in biobased lubricant formulations, there are no commercial biobased additives to be used for such a purpose. As a result, only partially biobased lubricant formulations can be produced by blending biobased base oils with petroleum based additives. Currently, considerable research effort is underway to develop and commercialize biobased lubricant additives and produce fully biobased lubricant formulations. This presentation highlights the current stage of this effort in the authors’ lab and elsewhere.