At a glance
- Biodegradable lubricants reduce environmental risks.
- Modern esters deliver performance comparable to or better than mineral oil.
- Ideal for hydraulic engineering, forestry, offshore operations and earthmoving.
- The cost of a single leak often exceeds many years of additional lubricant expenditure.
Biodegradable lubricants are often associated with sustainability and environmental legislation. While this is accurate, it no longer tells the whole story. Thanks to developments in modern base oils and additive technology, biodegradable lubricants have evolved into technically advanced alternatives to conventional products. For many companies, the decision is therefore no longer only about protecting the environment, but also about reliability, risk management and business continuity.
When is a lubricant truly biodegradable?
A biodegradable lubricant is broken down by microorganisms into natural components such as water, carbon dioxide and biomass. In practice, however, there is often confusion about what the term actually means.
Biodegradability is not an absolute property. The rate at which a lubricant breaks down depends on factors such as temperature, moisture, the presence of oxygen and the number of microorganisms in the environment. A product that degrades rapidly under laboratory conditions may behave differently in practice. Internationally standardised test methods are therefore used to assess products under comparable conditions.
One of the best-known test methods is OECD 301B. This test measures the extent to which a product biodegrades within 28 days. A lubricant is considered readily biodegradable when more than 60% of the product is broken down within this period.
The term biodegradable is also regularly confused with bio-based. Although both terms relate to sustainability, they do not mean the same thing. A bio-based lubricant is manufactured wholly or partly from renewable raw materials, but is not automatically biodegradable. Conversely, a biodegradable lubricant may also contain raw materials that do not originate from plant-based sources.
This distinction is important for professionals working in or near environmentally sensitive areas. Clients and permitting authorities increasingly assess the actual environmental performance of a lubricant. A product that is marketed as sustainable does not therefore automatically meet every applicable requirement.
Why are more companies making the switch?
The use of biodegradable lubricants is increasing worldwide. Legislation and regulations play an important role, but the need for companies to manage their risks more effectively is equally significant.
Work in nature reserves, alongside waterways, in groundwater protection areas or at offshore locations is increasingly carried out under strict environmental conditions. Higher requirements are also being imposed on the materials and auxiliary products used in infrastructure projects and government contracts.
At the same time, awareness is growing that no hydraulic system, lubrication point or drivetrain is completely leak-free. The question is therefore not whether product loss will occur, but what the consequences will be when it does.
When a conventional lubricant enters the soil or surface water, it may remain in the environment for a long time. Biodegradable lubricants break down considerably faster through natural processes. Although every leak remains undesirable, the impact on the environment can be significantly reduced. This is precisely why biodegradable lubricants are increasingly being included in companies’ risk-management strategies.
A small leak can have major consequences
When a machine breaks down due to a defective hydraulic hose or damaged seal, the immediate focus is often on the repair. In practice, however, the indirect costs can be considerably higher than the technical damage itself.
When oil enters surface water, a nature reserve or another sensitive environment, clean-up and remediation costs can quickly increase. Equipment downtime, project delays, investigation costs and potential claims from clients can also result in substantial additional expenses.
For companies operating in the earthmoving, water-management or offshore sectors, it therefore makes sense to consider not only the purchase price of a lubricant, but also the potential consequences of an incident. After all, the true cost of a leak is generally determined by its impact, rather than by the value of the lubricant that has been lost.
Remediation costs for a minor contamination incident start at approximately €2,000 and will almost immediately exceed the additional cost of using a biodegradable lubricant. If the contamination reaches the groundwater, remediation costs can rise to tens of thousands of euros.
Technology has made major advances
For many years, biodegradable lubricants had a less favourable reputation. Older products based primarily on vegetable oils were particularly susceptible to oxidation and hydrolysis. As a result, oil-change intervals could be shorter and performance could decline under demanding operating conditions.
The development of modern ester technology has fundamentally changed this perception. Esters naturally offer excellent lubricating properties combined with a high level of biodegradability. They are also naturally polar, enabling them to adhere strongly to metal surfaces and form a stable lubricating film.
Many of the limitations associated with earlier generations of products have therefore been overcome. Modern biodegradable lubricants featuring Eurol SYNGIS Technology retain their viscosity across a wide temperature range, provide excellent wear protection and withstand heavy loads. In many applications, their performance is now comparable to, or even better than, that of high-quality conventional lubricants.
The discussion is therefore gradually changing. While environmental benefits were previously the main consideration, the technical added value of biodegradable lubricants is now also playing an important role in the selection process.
The practical case study on the lubrication and corrosion protection of a tunnel-boring machine demonstrates that a biodegradable lubricant can perform under even the most extreme operating conditions.
The advantages of biodegradable lubricants are particularly evident in locations where a leak could directly affect the surrounding environment.
This applies, for example, to excavators working alongside waterways, dykes and nature reserves. Biodegradable lubricants are also increasingly being used in the water-management sector in the hydraulic systems of bridges, locks, pumping stations and weirs.
Within the offshore sector, biodegradable lubricants have already become an established part of maintenance policies at many locations. Their use is also increasing in forestry, where machinery operates daily in areas in which the protection of soil and nature is an important consideration.
Open lubrication points: less preparation, lower risk
When lubricating open points such as hinges, cables, chains and bearings, considerable attention is often paid to preventing spills. This requires additional preparation, particularly when working near water or in nature reserves.
Biodegradable lubricants in spray form are now available for these types of application. One example is Eurol Lube PL BIO Spray. Its targeted application allows the product to be applied accurately, reducing the risk of product loss. This simplifies maintenance work while simultaneously limiting the potential impact of lubricant leakage.
Could switching be beneficial for your organisation?
Not every application requires a biodegradable lubricant. Nevertheless, it may be worthwhile investigating the possibilities when machinery is regularly used in environmentally sensitive areas or when clients impose specific environmental requirements.
Companies actively working on certification, sustainability or risk management are also increasingly incorporating these products into their lubrication policies. It is important to consider material compatibility, system cleaning and maintenance intervals before making the switch.
Conclusion
Biodegradable lubricants are no longer niche products. Thanks to modern ester technology and advanced additive technology, they offer not only significant environmental benefits, but also excellent technical performance.
For a growing number of organisations, the decision is therefore no longer a choice between sustainability and performance. Biodegradable lubricants provide a fully fledged alternative that helps reduce risks, prevent downtime and improve the reliability of machinery and installations.
The question today is therefore no longer whether biodegradable lubricants are technically suitable, but in which applications they represent the most logical choice.
Would you like to know whether a biodegradable lubricant is suitable for your machinery or installations? Contact your Eurol account manager. Together, we will determine which solution best suits your application, operating conditions and sustainability objectives.
Author: John Klein Elhorst – Senior Technical Advisor
