The future of Lubricants: On changes in base oil production, new lubricant technologies and changing applications

A lubricant consist for about 80 to 100 % of base oil and the remaining percentage are additives that differ per application. In this presentation, we will explain the different types of base oils and how its production and use as lubricants will change in the coming years.

The world of base oils and lubricants is changing rapidly. On the production side, base oil manufacturing will change as refineries are optimizing their process to produce low sulfur fuels. As a result Group I base oil production will shift towards group II and III or disappear.

On the finished lubricant market, new technologies are needed in order to increase efficiency and stability, and new legislation will be issued for biodegradable products and for increased use of renewables. Also new emerging technologies will enter the market in the next years such as 3D printing, electrification of vehicles and sensor technology that will have a significant effect on the lubricants market.

Spreker(s)

Adri van Laak
Sr. Research Scientist at Q8 Research

After studying Chemistry at Utrecht University Adri van Laak continued with a PhD in Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis. In 2010 he started at Kuwait Petroleum Research and Technology (Q8 Research) within the lubricants development. Since then he has worked as a product developer in the automotive as well as in the industrial product lines. Currently Adri is responsible for product development in the Energy sector, focusing on the Gas Engine Oils, compressor lubricants and base oils.