International fuel additives company Infineum on Monday (23 September) announced earlier this year that they have taken a significant step in driving the industry towards a more sustainable future by restructuring its corporate structure into two strategic business units: Sustainable Transportation and Energy Applications.

The Energy Applications business unit will oversee activities for three strategic functions: ENEL (Enabling Electrification), I&I (Industry and Infrastructure), and NBD (New Business Development). This integration of resources will ultimately boost operational excellence, unlock new ways of working, and streamline decision-making.

The move into two strategic business units represents Infineum’s strategic transformation into a sustainable future, with clear objectives to enable the organisation to expand the deployment of its current product offerings into more markets and hasten its decarbonisation and electrification strategies.

Bruce Royan, who has spent 25 years in various commercial planning roles at Infineum, has assumed the role of EVP of Energy Applications to lead the business unit.

“Infineum’s decades of experience in developing high-performance fuels and lubricants additives for the transportation sector provides a robust foundation for creating innovative solutions for the energy applications market,” said Bruce Royan. 

“The Energy Applications unit will have the benefit of finding synergies across the organisation’s deep understanding of fluid chemistry, material science, and performance optimisation as it moves to address unique challenges posed by emerging energy technologies.”

In Asia Pacific, Infineum recognises that it has an important role in solving the challenges of the sustainability transition underway in the region. In July 2023, it announced plans to collaborate with energy providers and site partners to expand solar farms, improve the renewable energy mix, and optimise its facilities in Asia and globally. It also announced its intention for a $20 million annual investment in capital improvements to its manufacturing facilities. 

“From the emissions-reducing engine lubricant in India to our Infineum P5500 chemistry products in Singapore, Infineum is increasingly making an impact on every corner of the Asia Pacific region,” said John Hong, Asia Pacific Sales Director and Country Head, Infineum. “We are excited to be able to expand our offerings into energy applications, and we look forward to fast-tracking the development and deployment of new solutions in the region’s continued transition towards sustainability, as we continue to work closely with our existing partners and customers in developing innovative chemistries to support the introduction of exciting new vehicle technologies and fuels, helping our customers to achieve their ambitions.”

The three strategic functions and latest updates under Energy Applications are as follows:

• ENEL: Enabling Electrification’s focus on enabling electrification extends beyond traditional driveline technologies. By focusing on research and development for advanced fluids, ENEL is poised to capitalise on the growing global EV market. With a strategic pivot towards axle gear oil, ENEL is well-positioned to meet the evolving needs of this industry. This re-entry into the axle gear oil market aligns with Infineum’s broader strategy of expanding its product portfolio and diversifying into new market segments. ENEL offers high-quality, sustainable solutions that address the unique requirements of automotive applications.
• I&I: Industry and Infrastructure provides chemical solutions for improving the efficiency and sustainability of conventional fossil fuels in the applications that will be electrified or de-carbonised at a slower pace and is an enabler for the energy transition such as via the introduction of increasing levels of renewable fuels. Its product line-up features chemical solutions like combustion improvers that bring sustainability performance benefits in fossil fuel use and solutions like emulsion stabilisers and wax inhibitors that enhance operational efficiency and safety.
• NBD: The NBD function retains its remit of innovation-making and the development of sustainable growth opportunities. Themes around electrification and decarbonisation have always been part of Infineum’s sustainability roadmap and looking to participate or enable these transitions will be one of the main selection criteria for projects Infineum invests in and takes forward. Battery development is a key strategic focus for NBD.

The Energy Applications business unit is also expected to play a pivotal role in supporting Infineum’s strategic diversification into new markets and its ongoing ambition for carbon reduction. 

By leveraging synergies from the organisation’s technology and operational excellence, Infineum aims to accelerate its path towards net-zero scope 1 and 2 emissions from operated assets by 2050. 

This ambitious goal is further bolstered by the launch of energy applications, which will complement the existing focus on sustainable transportation solutions and contribute significantly to the emission intensity reduction ambition of 50% by 2030.

Related: Infineum releases Sustainability Report 2023 outlining its sustainability progress
Related: Infineum: Using liquid methanol fuels in heavy-duty and marine engines

Photo credit: Infineum
Published: 24 September, 2024