Biobased greases and lubricants, especially those made with specialty seed oils such as soybeans have seen commercial success in the US. After 15 years of R&D and market promotion by various stake holders, these products now meet industry performance standards and are price competitive. The National Agriculture-Based Lubricants (NABL) Centre at the University of Northern Iowa is a leading centre of excellence in the development and promotion of biobased lubricants and greases. Now in its 16th year of operation, NABL has transferred for commercialisation more than 30 formulations of biobased lubricants and greases. Its first soybean oil-based grease was introduced to the market in 1998 using clay thickener manufactured at low temperatures. Later, lithium, lithium complex, and aluminium complex were used in creating a full line of industrial, automotive, and food-grade greases. The most successful of these products have been lithium and lithium complex greases for the railroad and trucking industries. Since its introduction, an estimated 12 million pounds of NABL-commercialised greases have been shipped to mainly U.S. and some foreign markets. The Centre continues to monitor market performance of the greases that were commercialised through its research. This paper highlights technology advances, market barriers in early stages of development, and factors that have resulted in market acceptance of biobased lubricants and greases in the United States.
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