In this journal we periodically publish special issues related to lubrication oil, and now we present "Trends in Lubricants That Have Responded to the Global Environment." Typical global environmental problems include global warming, air pollution, water pollution, the influence on the ecosystem, the waste problem, and the destruction of the ozone layer, but lubrication oil is closely involved with practically all of these problems. There are many commentaries [1-5] on the relation of global environmental problems and lubrication oil, and these problems and their general countermeasures and countermeasures as lubrication oil are compiled in Table 1. In this special issue, we also have received commentaries on trends from experts of various fields. In engine oil, low fuel consumption performance, beginning with handling the ILSAC GF-4 standard, or the movement to strengthen exhaust regulations, are conspicuous. In biodegradable lubrication oil, biodegradable hydraulic oil for construction equipment use has been standardized and we are seeing a movement toward diffusion. In recycling used lubrication oil, waste processing and recycling guidelines have been revised and the promotion of separate collection is advancing. In refrigeration oil, due to the diffusion of non-Freon refrigerators and carbon dioxide gas, hot-water heaters in recent years, the development of oil that handles natural refrigerants is accelerating. The articles presented here are in areas where there has been great movement in recent years, and we feel certain that their content will be of great interest. Finally, I thank the writers who readily agreed to take time out of their busy schedules and write manuscripts, taking the intention of this special issue into consideration.
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