| | | | | materials. From an environmental perspective, the use |
| The development of the petroleum industry over the | | | | of bio-lubricants significantly reduces the carbon |
| past few decades has enabled mineral or rather fossil | | | | footprint than other non-biodegradable mineral oil based |
| oils to be used as efficient and cost-effective | | | | sources of crude oil or coal. It is in fact a matter of |
| lubricants. Today, most of the lubricants used for | | | | great concern that millions of tonnes of hydraulic, |
| industrial needs are made from non-biodegradable | | | | machinery and industrial oils are discharged every year |
| materials such as synthetic oils or petroleum | | | | into water sources such as rivers and seas, thus |
| derivatives. However, they pose a great deal of | | | | leading to groundwater contamination. This can |
| environmental hazards. Typically, a lubricant comprises | | | | ultimately inhibit the growth of plant life and prove |
| more than 90% of base fluid, corrosion inhibitors and | | | | extremely toxic to aquatic life. |
| extreme-pressure wear protectants that facilitate the | | | | The use of bio-based lubricants by industries is still in its |
| upgradation of functional properties or prevents the | | | | infancy stage and there's much left to be done. |
| base fluid against degradation. | | | | However, quite recently, a team of experienced |
| Bio-lubricants or bio-based lubricants have begun to | | | | researchers from the University of Huelva successfully |
| replace non-biodegradable fossil-based lubricants in | | | | developed an eco-friendly lubricating grease based on |
| industrial purposes. The term ‘biolubricants' basically | | | | ricin oil and cellulose derivatives. This bio-lubricant does |
| refers to all types of lubricants which are | | | | not contain any polluting component used in the |
| biodegradable and non-toxic for both human and | | | | manufacture of traditional industrial lubricants. |
| aquatic environments. A bio-lubricant can be available in | | | | Eco-friendly greases mainly use cellulose derivatives |
| two forms; either as vegetable oil-based or as | | | | from plants and ricin oil as a lubricant base. In another |
| synthetic esters manufactured from mineral oil-based | | | | scientific advancement in the field, the scientists in the |
| products. | | | | University of Almeria have succeeded in genetically |
| Bio-based lubricants or bio-lubes contain biological | | | | altering the castor-oil plant in order to use it to produce |
| materials or renewable domestic agricultural materials | | | | bio lubricants. |
| such as plant, animal and marine materials or forestry | | | | |