New catalytic technologies for converting vegetable oils to esters will improve manufacturing economics

摘要

Though most lubricants used currently originate from petroleum base stocks, vegetable oils have seen a promising increase as biodegradable fluids over the last two decades in applications such as total loss lubricants, military applications, and in outdoor activities such as forestry, mining, railroads, dredging, fishing and agriculture hydraulic systems. While lubricants represent only about 8% of all chemicals produced in the world (excluding fuels), about 50% of all used oils end up in the environment, representing a serious threat particularly for aquatic life. This is why the demand of bio-based lubricants is growing and its share of the total lubricants market expected to increase.