The high price of poor lubrication

Many companies do not realise the huge impact of lubricants on maintenance costs and machine performance. Improper lubrication - such as using the wrong type or an inadequate quality lubricant - can cause a chain reaction of problems, significantly increasing maintenance costs (Alsyouf, 2006; Geitner & Bloch, 2012).

From accelerated wear to unplanned downtime, insufficient-quality lubricants can seriously disrupt a plant's productivity. But what if there was a way to prevent this while saving costs? This article shows how the right lubricants contribute to lower maintenance costs and optimised machine performance.

🔎 In fact, research shows that up to 40% of all machine failures are directly attributable to lubrication problems (Mourtzis et al., 2020). 

The consequences of poor lubrication are far-reaching:

• Higher labour and material costs
• Unscheduled downtime
• Collateral damage
• Safety risks

🔎 Industry experts have calculated that poor lubrication practices in European industrial facilities alone add €1.3 billion to maintenance costs every year.

Double threat combined with labour shortages

Using the wrong lubricant, combined with a shortage of maintenance staff, poses a major risk. Well-trained technicians are hard to find, and when machines fail due to improper lubrication, they have to intervene immediately to limit the damage. This often means fire-fighting instead of structural maintenance, resulting in lost production and extra costs. And because technicians can only be in one place at a time, other maintenance is left behind, causing future problems.

By using the right lubricant from the start and taking preventive maintenance seriously, you prevent breakdowns and unplanned downtime. This not only saves time and costs, but also ensures a safer and more efficient working environment for your mechanics.

🔎 New developments in material science and lubrication technology have led to advanced lubricants that last longer and deliver better performance. 

Sustainability and regulation 

Besides continuously improving the quality of our lubricants and optimising their performance in your machines, we also continue to develop continuously in the field of sustainability. It will not have escaped your notice that increasingly stringent sustainability requirements are being imposed, forcing you and your company to make different choices for the preservation of people and the environment.

Interflon offers a complete portfolio of PFAS-free lubricants with MicPol® technology that minimise friction, extend machine life and reduce energy consumption - without harmful substances such as PFAS, nano-particles and microplastics.

Want to know what this means for your business and how to respond? Our white paper on PFAS in lubricants provides insight into the latest developments and will help you make a smooth transition to more sustainable lubrication management. 

💡 The future of lubrication lies in innovation - less impact on the environment, without compromising on performance.

Conclusion

Lubrication may not be the first thing a company thinks of when looking for ways to operate more efficiently and safely, but the numbers speak for themselves. Using advanced lubricants can drastically reduce maintenance costs, make machines last longer and prevent production downtime this in a sustainable and safe working environment.