The 7 pillars of sustainable lubrication

Sustainable lubrication involves more than just lubricating regularly or using environmentally friendly products. And it offers more than just environmental benefits. A good, sustainable lubrication plan in many cases also contributes to lower costs and higher output! This article outlines the seven pillars of sustainable lubrication.

1. Friction reduction

Reducing friction in machines and installations saves energy, which is one of the key focuses of sustainability. This is important because the majority of energy is still derived from coal or gas-powered energy plants, leading to the depletion of fossil fuels and the production of CO2.

Fact: Research shows that 20% of global energy is used to overcome friction*.
*Source: Holmberg, E. and Erdemir A.; “Influence of tribology on global energy consumption, costs and emissions”, Friction, Volume 5, Issue 3, Article 7, 2017)

Applying the right lubricant in the right quantity and at the right time can reduce friction by up to 40%. This can result in significant energy cost savings and a reduced CO2 footprint.

2. Emissions reduction

One of the most significant unwanted emissions the world is currently dealing with is CO2, a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming and climate change.

Reducing CO2 emissions is possible by reducing energy consumption, as explained in point 1. Interflon products also save energy in other ways! Interflon lubricants have a long lifespan, allowing for longer lubrication intervals and reduced consumption. This means they need to be reordered less frequently, contributing to a reduction in transport kilometres and CO2 emissions from trucks or ships.

3. Useful life of assets

The (manufacturing) industry extracts a significant amount of resources from the Earth, some of which are becoming scarce. This trend can be countered by maximizing the reuse of resources through recycling and by extending the useful life of assets.

When it comes to rotating parts, Interflon lubricants play a distinctive role. Our special MicPol® technology provides excellent adhesion to surfaces and enhances the performance of additives. Lower friction significantly reduces wear and leads to a longer useful life of components such as bearings, motors, gears, and chains.

4. Reduced (hazardous) waste

When by-products are suitable only for incineration or emission and cannot be used in a circular or recycling process, they are considered waste. Substances and materials that cannot be effectively reused are a literal loss for the Earth.

Interflon lubricants make a significant contribution to reducing the amount of waste generated since they typically last much longer than standard lubricants. This means less consumption and less waste to be disposed of.

Moreover, all components of our products based on MicPol® technology are biodegradable. These products are free from PTFE (PFAS), microplastics, and do not fall under the definition of nanotechnology. If an Interflon lubricant ever needs to be disposed of, the environmental impact is significantly lower than that of regular lubricants.

5. Automatic lubrication systems

With automatic lubrication systems, significant savings in lubricant usage can be achieved. An automatic lubrication system provides the precise amount of lubricant at the right time, eliminating oversupply and waste. This contributes to reducing waste and the number of transport kilometres.

6. Lubrication software

Although Interflon lubricants are already extremely efficient, additional steps can be taken to further reduce consumption. One of these steps is implementing ILAC lubrication management software.

This intuitive and highly practical lubrication software supports the maintenance department in improving preventive maintenance and reducing reactive maintenance. The program allows for organizing all lubrication points and linking them to specific lubricants and proper lubrication procedures, optionally with visual aids.

By building a maintenance history with this software, it becomes increasingly possible to predict when a particular lubrication point requires maintenance. This ensures that lubrication is neither performed too early nor too late. Additionally, it ensures the preservation of valuable process information, which is useful for audits and optimization.

7. Knowledge

It may sound obvious, but for lubricants and sustainability, it's crucial to know what you're doing. By expanding knowledge and understanding among maintenance personnel and middle management, companies can maximize the benefits of lubricants in relation to sustainability and achieve:

• Minimal lubricant consumption
• Maximum friction reduction
• Maximum energy savings
• Lower CO2 emissions
• Extended asset lifespan
• Maximum lubrication intervals
• Reduced resource consumption

Want to learn more? Contact us. Our technical advisors can provide you with a business case that shows precisely what using Interflon products can mean for the environment, and your costs, output, and compliance.