Calcium Sulfonate Greases
Calcium Sulfonate Greases – Lubrizol has opened a new grease laboratory in Navi Mumbai, India, to support the development of calcium sulfonate greases with strong potential in the industrial grease market. In Brazil, the company already works with this technology at the Belford Roxo factory, which has been increasing year after year the volumes of this type of product, including exporting to several countries around the world.
Automotive electrification has been a driving factor in the demand and price of lithium in the world market, worrying grease producers, who will have to compete mainly with battery manufacturers. Therefore, formulations based on calcium sulfonate complex soap could become an effective alternative to lithium soaps.
According to Lubrizol, High Basicity Calcium Sulfonate (OBCS) provides reliable thickening properties, good compatibility with base oils and additives, and adequate performance for long-term use. The company, in Brazil, also offers customized options for colors, base oils and performance to meet the exact needs of its customers.
Lubrizol’s new laboratory in India will support the rigorous testing required for OBCS formulations to demonstrate their full potential.
According to an article published in the international magazine Fuels&Lubes, President and Managing Director of Lubrizol Additives India, Sanjeev Kaul, said that “India is a unique market with unique demands, and there is limited support available in the form of third-party testing laboratories in India focused on greases. With this laboratory, we are supporting small to medium-sized grease manufacturers in the region with grease development and testing and support services that can further the development of calcium sulfonate-based greases and increase their sales.”
The lab will grant grease manufacturers access to:
- Performance testing, allowing manufacturers to measure performance properties in action;
- Benchmark testing, allowing manufacturers to compare product performance to industry standards;
- Training, helping manufacturers to train their formulation teams in grease selection, testing and application knowledge.
“Demand for lithium is not decreasing and grease manufacturers will soon demand a reliable thickening alternative,” said Kaul. “We want to help manufacturers across the region stay ahead and increase their competitive advantage with possible alternative solutions.”
