Lubricants

Lubmarine: Supporting shipping’s decarbonisation towards a carbon-free future

Dr Olivier Denizart of Lubmarine, the marine lubricants business of TotalEnergies, discusses key findings on Lubmarine’s latest R&D projects on future bunker fuels.

Published

7 months ago

March 20, 2024

Admin

Lubmarine: Supporting shipping’s decarbonisation towards a carbon-free future

Dr Olivier Denizart, Technical Manager at Lubmarine – the marine lubricants business of TotalEnergies – shares some of the key findings on Lubmarine’s latest R&D projects on future marine fuels including experiments on an ammonia-fuelled engine that it has been modified – and the critical importance that safety will have to play in shaping the implementation of new fuels:

The last 18 months has seen the global shipping industry really start to accelerate its decarbonization journey.

LNG is now recognised as a mature and best immediate option to help reduce shipping’s CO2 emissions today, whilst at the same time providing the technological platform for the transition to new fuels including biofuels, ammonia and methanol.

As the speed of new fuel development ramps up, the challenge for lubricant manufacturers is to stay ahead of those changes to ensure that, when those fuels do become commercially viable, we have lubricant solutions available that are tried, tested and ready to support our customers as we evolve towards a carbon-free future.

From its inception over 70 years ago, Lubmarine has always embraced a pioneer spirit with the goal of developing and delivering market leading marine lubricants. And as we enter this multi-fuel future, this ethos remains at the forefront of our development – with a significant investment in our own R&D and a willing and active commitment to cross-industry collaboration.

Along with methanol, ammonia has been recognised as a viable fuel solution, one that, whilst offering opportunities towards GHG reduction targets, also poses key challenges from the perspectives of safety (both environmental and human) and practicality. Providing good combustion in a dual fuel engine, another advantage to shipping is that ammonia should face less competition with other areas of the transport sector – unlike some of the other fuel alternatives being considered.

Ammonia storage already exists in 120 ports globally, enabling both ship to shore and ship to ship bunkering solutions alongside reasonable liquefaction temperatures. But it is far from plain sailing when it comes to ammonia with significant challenges around its volumetric energy density and of course its deadly toxicity and the need for stringent safety solutions.

At the same time OEMs are developing NH3 engines with MAN ES and WinGD anticipating it will launch a two-stroke ammonia fuelled engine in 2024.

It’s a fuel solution we are actively researching here at Lubmarine, with our R&D teams having redesigned a 1.5 litre passenger car diesel engine to run on ammonia enabling us to run our own in-house tests to better understand the impact that ammonia will have on engines and specifically for us, the impact, and challenges for effective engine lubrication.

With any new fuel, we must understand the interactions and impacts of the relationship between lubricant, fuel, and engine to ensure that our lubricants are delivering the desired performance and, through lifecycle assessments, be assured that there will be no carbon generation.

It’s a methodology that starts in our labs with our ammonia engine oil development project.

Our Test Approach

From an initial perspective, we wanted to show that NH3 can interact with lubricant chemistry so our challenge is to fully understand its operating behaviours to enable us to adapt lubricant formulations to meet specific needs.

When it comes to lab testing, our key objective is to develop an engine oil technology that allows reliable, clean, and efficient use in Ammonia-fuelled internal combustion engines.

To meet these objectives, we need to:

Observe - lubrification challenges in a real engine environment - deposits, wear, corrosion, oil ageing.
Evaluate - sensitivity to engine oil composition.
Calibrate - laboratory test severity.

Our challenge is to understand the impact that NH3 has on oil components and their performances, the availability of NH3 ICE tests (performance, endurance), access to large engine prototypes and our need to run and understand evaluation test results.

Key observation and assessment areas when we are running ammonia engine tests include:

Ammonia dilution
Nitro-oxidation
Corrosion
Cylinder wall degreasing
Water handling
Deposit control
Material/Elastomer compatibility

Testing protocols look at three specific areas:

Oil formulation – including base oils and additives.
NH3 Alteration Tests –influence of temperature and crankcase gases composition.
Performance evaluation

2024 will be a very key year for us here at Lubmarine with regards to lubrication development to reflect new fuels.

Thanks to our R&D and OEM‘s partnership we’ll start lubricating tug boats using an ammonia-fuelled four-stroke engine this year.

On the methanol side, we are starting trails with methanol two-stroke commercial engines.

From our lab test results to date we have been able to analyse the oxidation and main characteristics of our lubricants where they have been adapted to methanol-fuelled engines.

What we have been able to do is widen our testing to incorporate actual field tests on these new engines which is providing invaluable data from which we are able to evaluate, implement and apply to further tests to support product development.

Photo credit: Lubmarine
Published: 20 March 2024

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Business

Aderco achieves B Corp certification, marking sustainability credentials

Firm says certification will serve as a cornerstone in its strategy to drive positive environmental and social impact, while setting a new standard of excellence within the fuel treatment industry.

Published

4 days ago

October 1, 2024

Admin

Aderco achieves B Corp certification, marking sustainability credentials

Fuel treatment technology specialist Aderco Group on Monday (30 September) announced its official certification as a B Corporation (B Corp), joining a global community of businesses meeting the high standards of social and environmental impact.

The firm said the significant milestone reflected Aderco’s unwavering commitment to sustainability, diversity, and ethical business practices.

Since its founding in 1981, the company has pioneered fuel treatment solutions that are 100% vegetal-based - an innovation that no other company in the industry has achieved.

Headquartered in Switzerland, with four additional offices in Belgium, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and India, Aderco has aimed to be divergent, building a business model centred around positive social and environmental impact.

The B Corp certification reaffirms the values that have guided the company from the beginning and validates Aderco’s belief that businesses should be a force for good.

"At Aderco, being different has always been at the heart of what we do," said Olivier Baiwir, Chief Executive Officer of Aderco.

“We've been committed to social and environmental impact since day one. This B Corp certification not only validates what we’ve believed in for over 40 years but also reaffirms that Aderco is leading the way in our industry. No one else is doing what we’re doing—and that makes us extremely proud.”

What is B Corp Certification?

The B Corp certification is a rigorous assessment that measures a company’s social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. It recognises businesses that go beyond profit, using their platform to benefit workers, customers, communities, and the environment.

Key Facts: B Corp Certification:

Aderco scored 83.3 points on the B Impact Assessment, exceeding the minimum requirement of 80 points for certification. More than 9,000 companies across 160 industries in over 100 countries have achieved B Corp certification.
The certification assesses businesses in five key areas: Governance, Workers, Community, Environment, and Customers. Aderco’s detailed scores are available here.
B Corp certification applies to Aderco’s global operations, demonstrating the company’s commitment to social and environmental responsibility across all regions.

Being in an industry often associated with environmental challenges, Aderco’s B Corp certification sets a new standard for what can be achieved through innovation and responsible business practices.

“This certification signals to our stakeholders and the wider community that we are committed to going beyond profit, aiming to create a positive impact on people and the planet,” it said.

“This achievement is indeed a testament to our ongoing commitment to create a positive impact not only within our industry but also on the planet, as well as society at large," said Gérald Baiwir, Head of Environment at Aderco.

“As a B Corp, we are proud to join a global community of businesses that are leading the way in using business as a force for good.”“Our B Corp certification isn't just an accolade - it’s a reflection of the values we’ve held for over four decades. It confirms what we’ve always believed in, namely, business must make a positive difference.”

As the only fuel treatment provider offering 100% vegetal-based solutions, this achievement affirmed Aderco's pioneering role in the industry and its ongoing drive to positively impact society and the environment.

“This milestone confirms what we’ve always known - that business can and should be a catalyst for positive change,” added Olivier Baiwir.

As Aderco continues to expand its global presence, this certification will serve as a cornerstone in its strategy to drive positive environmental and social impact, while setting a new standard of excellence within the fuel treatment industry.

Photo credit: Aderco
Published: 1 October, 2024

Bunker Fuel

SulNOx gains new patent in Singapore, reports ‘record’ first quarter

SulNOx said it demonstrated it can provide a fuel and emissions reduction solution for users of HSFO and biofuels – opening up significant new marine opportunities.

Published

2 months ago

August 1, 2024

Admin

Maritime green tech firm SulNOx on Wednesday (31 July) said it has gained a valuable new patent in Singapore and posted record first quarter product sales.

The UK-listed company, which helps industry reduce emissions, lower fuel costs and meet sustainability targets, adds the patent to others granted for the US, Europe, Eurasia, Georgia, South Africa, Indonesia, Hong Kong and China.

They cover a range of versions of SulNOx conditioners which emulsify water, while increasing lubricity and oxygen availability to fuel, making it burn cleanly and more efficiently.

“Singapore is a key market for SulNOx. It extends access to global customers in several sectors including marine, oil & gas and offshore companies,” the firm said in a statement.

Product sales volumes rose 32% in the first quarter to June, compared with Q4.

Revenues of £192,0000 were up 134% on the corresponding period in 2023, but down on Q4, owing to product promotions relating to High Sulphur Fuel Oil (HSFO) and biofuels. These promotions succeeded in securing SulNOx's first sales in those areas.

HSFO represents c.25% of world bunker demand and biofuels are becoming increasingly important as shipping regulations become more stringent and emissions focused.

SulNOX has typically achieved fuel savings of 5% to 10% with operators piloting SulNOxEco conditioner. At present, 35 shipping companies with a combined fleet of approximately 4,500 vessels are evaluating SulNOx products or expanding their use.

Marfin Management expanded its trial after initial tests cut bunker consumption by more than 6% and its CEO has since joined the board of SulNOx. Greece's Seanergy and Spring Marine are both looking to adopt SulNOx products in their fleets to reduce fuel consumption and cut emissions.

Radu Florescu, Chairman of SulNOx Group, commented: “Whilst Q1 has delivered encouraging revenues and record sales volumes, most significant is SulNOx demonstrating that it can provide a fuel and emissions reduction solution for users of HSFO and biofuels - opening up significant new marine opportunities.”

“Q2 already shows considerable further potential in Africa, and further revenues expected from some very promising R&D results and strategic partnerships. SulNOx is also making several new hires to grow sales in line with ambitions.”

Photo credit: Swapnil Bapat on Unsplash
Published: 1 August 2024

Lubricants

Singapore: Gazpromneft Marine Lubricants Pte Ltd to be wound up voluntarily

A liquidator was appointed for the company for the purpose of winding-up affairs of the company, according to a notice released on Government Gazette.

Published

3 months ago

July 2, 2024

Admin

A notice was published on Monday (1 July) on the Government Gazette to inform the passing of several resolutions for Gazpromneft Marine Lubricants Pte Ltd on 21 June.

The resolutions set out below were duly passed:

Special Resolution

THAT the Company be wound up voluntarily.
THAT Bakulin Dmitriy Aleksandrovich, care of 50 South Bridge Road, #03-00, Singapore 058682, be and is hereby appointed Liquidator for the purpose of such winding-up.
THAT the Liquidator be empowered to exercise the powers set out in article 23 of the Constitution of the Company, with the sanction of a special resolution of the Company.

Sole Member: GPN-Operational Management Limited Liability Company

In 2019, Manifold Times reported Gazpromneft Marine Lubricants starting to produce high-tech marine oils at a production facility in Singapore.

Localising lubricants production under the Gazpromneft Ocean brand at the AP Oil partner facility reportedly would cut delivery times for Gazprom Neft products to the Port of Singapore by up to two days, and to ports in Malaysia by up to four days.

Photo credit: Drew Beamer
Published: 2 July, 2024