Increasing Awareness for Pollution: Important Features of Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants (EALs)

The increasing awareness for pollution caused by many chemicals, including lubricants, promotes the use of environmentally friendly products. There is a clear trend towards a more responsible use of lubricants, and several legislations already limit the use of certain oils in some applications. EALs are environmentally acceptable lubricants that are highly biodegradable, and minimally toxic to the environment. They are used, for example, in construction, mining, forestry, agriculture, medicine, food-processing industry, hydroelectric dams, and various marine uses.

PANOLIN EAL fluids are based on saturated synthetic esters and stand for very high-quality products. PANOLIN has used this technology since 1983. EALs have a minimally negative impact on the environment, which is why they are in general preferred over petroleum-based lubricants. However, the technical superiority of the product is still the most important factor in a purchase decision. During the last three and a half decades, PANOLIN has developed an EAL technology that is both eco-friendly and technically superb.

The EALs are rapidly biodegradable

Biodegradability is an important environmental parameter for the evaluation of organic substances and describes their decomposition or mineralization by microorganisms in the environment. The OECD 301B test is used to evaluate the biodegradability of EALs. This test uses so-called respirometry, meaning that it investigates the CO2-production in a closed liquid environment over a minimum of 28 days. If at least 60% of the material is biodegraded within 28 days, it is empirically proven to be biodegradable. Another test which gauges the environmental acceptability of an industrial oil is called ISO 15380, applicable for hydraulic systems in offshore and marine applications, in hydrodynamic brakes, hydraulic winches and central oil supply for gearboxes, differentials and final drives, in agricultural, forestry, retarders in railroad construction, earth-moving and other machinery and for greasing points on vehicles and earth-moving machinery, water turbine guidevane bearings and screw pumps in sewage treatment plants, and much more..

PANOLIN EALs outperform all tests in all specifications. Accordingly, they are not only much more environmentally friendly than petroleum-based oils but are also characterized by a significantly longer service life. The technical superiority of PANOLIN products, high environmental protection and a long life of the product reduce costs.

Low Toxicity

Low toxicity is an essential feature of any EAL. A bio-based EAL is made of minimally-toxic components. Before the oils are certified for use, they are tested to ascertain that they would not harm life form that may get in contact with the EALs. Regarding ecotoxicity, PANOLIN EALs are proven to prevent ecosystems from severe damage. In the case of lubricant leakages or spills, the oil does not affect marine life and other forms of life. PANOLIN has made an ecotoxicity testing and environmental risk assessment. The minimal toxicity combined with the biodegradability ensures that the bio-based oils are environmentally-responsible. The minimal toxicity makes the bio-based EALs suitable for use in environmentally-sensitive areas such as in or near water. PANOLIN's environmentally friendly products are internationally recognized, as numerous national and international eco-labels such as EPA, ABS Type Approval, Cefas, HOCNF Labels, Korea Eco Label, The Blue Angel/Der Blaue Engel, Swedish Standard, USDA BIO PREFERRED, Rina Green plus, Prijatelj Okolisa, Ekologicky Setrný Výrobek or the EU Ecolabel prove.