Umweltrelevante Kriterien zur Anwendung von Pflanzenölen und deren Derivaten im Schmierstoffbereich

Environmental criteria for the use of vegetable oils and their derivates in lubricants The motive behind the use of harvestable raw materials and their derivates in lubricants is their extraordinary environmental compatibility, and the substitution of mineral oil with biodegradable base oils is a primary objective. In the meantime, environmentally friendly, biodegradable alternatives are available for almost all mineral oil-based lubricants. In 1997, about 40000 tons of rapidly biodegradable lubricants were sold in Germany alone, about 4.5% of total lubricant consumption. An increase in this share is the aim of various measures taken by governments and authorities. In general, it is accepted that potentially more than 90% of all lubricants could be manufactured from harvestable raw materials.