AFRICA’S RISING SYNTHETICS DEMAND...2 LUBEZINE MAGAZINE | September 2014 • SPECIAL EDITION...

1 September 2014 • SPECIAL EDITION | LUBEZINE MAGAZINE

VOL .10 • SEPTEMBER 2014 | SPECIAL EDITION

W W W . L U B E S A F R I C A . C O M

Nigeria holds first lubricants summit P.5Lubes market growth revs up EA mold making servicesLubes market growth revs up EA mold making services P.24

PLUS: AFTERMARKET ADDITIVES; DO THEY WORK? P.28

MAIN FEATURE

AFRICA’S RISING SYNTHETICS DEMAND

2 LUBEZINE MAGAZINE | September 2014 • SPECIAL EDITION

Inside Front Cover

Full Page Ad


CONTENTSN E W S • I N D U S T R Y U P D AT E • N E W P R O D U C T S • T E C H N O LO GY • C O M M E N TA R Y

SEPTEMBER 2014 SPECIAL EDITION


VOL 10

10 | BASE OIL FEATURE

Global lubricant base stock supply:

what does the future hold?

14 | IN OTHER WORLDS

Q8Oils upgrades field service

technician services with the launch

of QCare

Shell Launches Helix Ultra with Shell

PurePlus Technology

19 | COUNTRY FEATURE

Emerging middle class, new

generation cars drive Nigeria’s

synthetic oil market

22 | GLOBAL MARKET FEATURE

Synthetic lubes driven much by OEM

demands to reach 18% of total global

lube demand by 2023

INSIDE REGULARS

24 LUBES MARKET GROWTH REVS UP EA MOLD MAKING SERVICES

AFRICA’S RISING SYNTHETICS DEMAND — KENYAN PERSPECTIVE

16 | COVER FEATURE

The benefits of synthetic lubricants outweigh their mineral-based counterparts

TECHNOLOGY FEATURE

12

2 | Editor’s Desk4-6 | The Market Report ENOC lubricant’s 6th business meet in Uganda signals interest in Africa JX Nippon’s sets off ice in S. Africa Nigeria holds first lubricants summit amid calls for local lube lab WearCheck launches wind turbines condition monitoring kit7 | Lubes Diary8 | Frequently Asked

Questions

26 | Why professional industrial lubrication should be prioritized

28 | Aftermarket additives; do they work?

R22 444-4


EDITORIAL

W elcome to the 10th edition of Lubezine, a

remarkable milestone in our continuing

efforts to bring you unparalleled coverage

of signifi cant global technological develop-

ments, and their bearing on our regional

lubricants industry here in Africa. Lubezine

is Africa’s most comprehensive lubricants industry magazine. Its

journey started in late 2010, when lube professionals driven by the

desire to share best practices acquired over the years, got together

and over numerous cups of coffee charted the way forward for what

has now become known as Lubezine magazine.

The magazine has remained true to its founders’ primary

objective: “To disseminate lube technology and market dynamics

news to professionals handling lubricants and by so doing grow the

lubricants and lubrication standards in Africa.”

This quarter, our cover feature prominently highlights the

spiraling demand for synthetic lubrication solutions, particularly

within the automobile industry. To achieve a sharper picture of

this considerable lubricants consumption trend shift, we focus

on Nigeria and Kenya, getting fi rst-hand perspectives of dealers in

motor oil, market experts and lubrication professionals. From the

observations of these professionals, the swing from mineral oil

based lubricants to synthetic lubricants is evident.

Our technology feature provides insight into the benefi ts of using

synthetic lubricants as opposed to mineral based lubricants. With

the launches of new synthetic product brands by various marketing

companies, there is no doubt that the demand for the products will

continue to increase.

This edition’s market report carries highlights from across

the region, including ENOC Lubricants 6th Business Meet held

in Uganda in May and Nigeria’s fi rst lubricant summit. We also

report about the JX Nippon, Japan’s largest refi ner setting shop in

Johannesburg, South Africa.

We welcome on board our new columnist, Yusuf Kipruto who

sets the ball rolling by taking a critical look at aftermarket lubricant

additives, interrogating their supposed effi cacy in imparting desir-

able attributes to already-formulated lubricants.

As we celebrate this landmark, we thank our 3000- plus subscrib-

ers and loyal advertisers for their unyielding support, which has

been instructive in our ongoing journey devoted to keeping track of

the lubricants industry. .Welcome

Lubezine is 10 Editions old!

EDITOR’SDESKVOL 10 • SEPTEMBER 2014 | SPECIAL EDITION

JX Nippon’s sets off ice in S. AfricaTurn to P.4

Publisher:Lubes Africa Ltd

Editor: Nyakundi H Nyagaka

Design & Layout: Andrew Muchira

Contributors: Chrispin Mbogo

Nyakundi H Nyagaka

Olaolu Olusuna

James Wakiru

Geeta Agashe

Yusuf Kipruto

Photography: Bettercom Media services

Lubezine library

Art Direction: Zeus Media Ltd

[email protected]

Advertising & Subscription:

[email protected]

www.lubesafrica.com

Subscriptions: Lubezine is free to qualified subscribers who are involved in the lubricants industry as manufacturer’s end-users, marketers and suppliers to the oil industry. Lubezine is a quarterly publication of Lubes Africa Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be produced or transmitted in any form including photocopy or any storage and retrieval system without prior written permission from the publishers.

1 SPECIAL EDITION | LUBEZINE MAGAZINE



Nigeria holds first lubricants summit P.5Lubes market growth revs up EA mold making services P.24


MAIN FEATURE


The magazine has remained true to its founders’ primary objective: “To disseminate lube technology and market dynamics news to professionals handling lubricants and by so doing grow the lubricants and lubrication standards in Africa.”

Joseph Ndung’uOUR COVER IMAGE:Thika Super Highway-Kenya’s response to an increasing national fleet.


LUBEZINE?

lubricants capitallubricants p

WHO IS READING

If you wish to communicate to any of the above groups about your products, Lubezine offers the most direct link

The readership includes:Lubezine is a free magazine to qualified subscribers

To advertise, contact Lubezine sales team at:

Focusing on Africa’s lubrication needs

Issue 002October-Decemberwww.lubesafrica.com

Aviation Lubricants

Gulf Energy Launches Lubricants

BEARING FAILURE and lubrication

Focusing on Africa’s lubrication needs

Issue 002October-Decemberwww.lubesafrica.com

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Inside Kenya’s lubricants capital

The basics of oil additives P.16

Inssiide Kennyya’sya’sKirinyaga

RoadPLUS: THE MARKET REPORT P.4

NOT FOR SALE

W W W E A F R I C A C O M

FOCUS ONF

A guide to buying lubricants P.10NEW LOOK!


ENOC Lubricants Mar-

keting, the lubricants

business division

of ENOC Marketing LLC

partnered with City Lubes –

Uganda to host its 6th Business

Meet in Uganda in May, 2014.

The event was presided over by

Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi,

Vice President of Uganda and

Gerald Ssendaula, Chairman of

the Private Sector Foundation

Uganda.

The meet explored

untapped business opportuni-

ties in the operating market

and sought to demonstrate

the strength of the thriving

ENOC Lubricants business.

The theme of the Business

Meet, ‘Looking Beyond,’ put

into consideration future

market fl uctuations and

shared insights into the kind

of integrated, well-organised

and dedicated approach the

THEMARKETREPORTNEWS • BRIEFING • NEW PRODUCTS • TECHNOLOGY

BUSINESS MEET

ENOC lubricant’s 6th business meet in Uganda signals interest in Africa

Frequently Asked Questions See also P.8

company was seeking to take.

In addition to the introduc-

tion of new marine and

industry segments coupled

with marketing support

programmes such as Key

Account Management,

the summit/conference

also addressed innovative

services in retailing. Marketing

strategy was also a signifi cant

point of discussion, with its

integral role in the successful

functioning of new business

initiatives.

“ENOC is committed to

provide unparalleled value for

customers in Africa by offering

the right products that suit

their needs, manufactured to

the highest quality and techni-

cal specifi cations. Through

our support to the event, we

are not only demonstrating

our market leadership in the

lubricants business, but also

EXPANS ION

JX Nippon – Japan’s largest refiner – has established its presence in Africa, opening its first off ice in Johan-nesburg, South Africa in what appears to be an entry programme to exploit the region’s growing lubricants and fuels demand.

According to the company’s recent findings, the demand for lubricating oil will rise by 2 per cent annu-ally until 2020, prompting comprehensive marketing research to sustain its business in Africa.

The firm refines and distributes petroleum and petrochemical products and hopes to partner with African oil companies in the upstream and downstream.

‘While the company seeks more partnership in Africa, its level of investment would be determined after extensive market research’, Takahiro Nomura, GM of the Johannesburg off ice told the Business Day in April.

It has already partnered with South Africa’s Sasol in the fuel-from-gas business.

“In 10 years we want to succeed in the South African business,” the company’s Senior Vice-President Yasuji Araki said. By opening its first representative off ice in South Africa, the company hopes to take advantage of Africa’s burgeoning economy by growing its footprint across the continent. .

JX Nippon’s sets office in S. Africa

our commitment to develop

products that meet chang-

ing industry needs.” Zaid

Alqufaidi, ENOC‘s Managing

Director (Marketing) said in

the build up to the conference.

The Business Meet served

as a platform where business

updates in sales, marketing,

technology and fi nance were

shared. ENOC Lubricants,

one of the largest producers

of fi nished lubricants in the

region, boasts a presence

in over 55 countries in the

Middle East, Africa, South East

Asia, the Indian Subcontinent

and CIS countries.

Previously, ENOC hosted

a strategy workshop held

in Sudan with the aid and

support of Dal Group, one of

their partners, to highlight

the importance of operations

within the African market.

The workshop brought

together a group of bright

business minds, and brought

up crucial discussions on inno-

vative ways of marketing, risk

assessment and challenges, as

well as solutions to overcome

them. The successful launch

of the ENOC Lubricant brand

and the technical seminar held

in Egypt further exemplifi ed

the company’s interest in the

African market. .

Uganda vice president Edward Kiwanuka receives an award from Enocs managing director (marketing) Zaid Alqufaidi.


Increased competition among lubricant marketers has fueled constant product

improvement through quality and visual appeal through new package designs.

Turn to P.25

Nigerian lubricants

manufacturers have

held the country’s

maiden lubricants summit,

with a call for the establish-

ment of a national lubricants

testing laboratory in the

country.

The two-day August summit,

held at the Oriental Hotel in

Lagos, was themed: ‘Nigeria’s Lubricant Market: Opportuni-ties and Challenges’ and was

organized in partnership with

the Department of Petroleum

Resources (DPR).

It sought ways to promote

understanding and apprecia-

tion of the nation’s hydrocar-

bon reserves, potential and

investment opportunities, and

the nation’s oil and gas indus-

try, with emphasis on the rel-

evant statutory requirements.

During the opening ceremony,

Lubcon Group Chairman

Engineer Jani Ibrahim called for

the elimination of artifi cial and

avoidable distortions hinder-

ing the growth of the lube

industry, making a case for the

speedy passage of the country’s

Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB)

pending in the Nigerian

Parliament.

“We should embrace a global

mind-set to avoid lagging

behind. Nigeria should add

value to her hydrocarbon

reserves. Our citizens must not

suffer due to poor policies. The

Nigerian market is huge. There

is need to ensure the right atten-

tion is paid to it,” Ibrahim said.

Calling on the Lubricants

Producers Association of

LUBES CONFERENCE

Nigeria (LUPAN) and the Major

Oil Marketers Association of

Nigeria (MOMAN) to increase

interest in the sector, the

summit encouraged synergy

between the two associations to

boost the industry.

“We are glad that it is a

success. We are glad at the

attendance and look forward

to a bigger and robust summit

that will be supported by all

next year,” LUBCON Managing

Director Mr. Taiye Williams

told Lubezine on the sidelines

of the summit, adding that the

establishment of a national

lubricants testing laboratory

was possible.

“We’ll be using the labora-

tory to test base oils coming

into the country and lubricants

produced locally. We have

agreed on one point – qual-

ity is what we must strive to

achieve,” he added.

LUPAN Secretary-General,

Emeka Obidike lauded the

summit, noting that his

organization was impressed

and happy. ‘It’s a gathering of

who-is-who in the lubricants

industry in Nigeria. It can only

get better next year,” he said.

On the recent deal with the

Nigerian Government on the

fi ve per cent tariff for base oil

importation, Obidike said it

indicated a better future for

the industry, suggesting the

government should provide all

necessary documentation to

enable his members enjoy the

tariff fully.

“We’ve been granted a

reduction in tariff for base oils

after much intervention to fi ve

per cent. However, the issue of

tariffs has not been concluded,”

the LUPAN chief executive said,

calling for as high as 35 percent

tariff for imported fi nished

lubricants to protect he local

producers.

Meanwhile, the indiscrimi-

nate importation of base oils

causing excess base oils in

the system than needed for

blending was discussed. This

excess base oils are then sold

as lubricants to unsuspect-

ing customers. Other issues

included the importation of

substandard API grades of

lubricants from Dubai and

United Arab Emirates.

“Most of them are used oils

with little refi ning and packag-

ing, coming at lower prices,”

a panelist, Femi Ogunleye of

ASCON Oil, said. ‘there is need

to adopt a refi ning model in

the country to get the used

oils back and subject them to

quality refi ning so as to seal off

fake and substandard oils’, he

said. .

Nigeria holds first lubricants summit amid calls for local lube lab

Mr. YomiBadejo-Okusanya, CEO/MD CMC Connect (Perception Managers)- Conveners (l) Engr. Aminu Jalal, DG National Automotive Council, Engr. Jani Ibrahim, Chairman, Lubcon Group,Mr. A.M. Mudei, Department of Petroleum Resources, Osarumwense Chris O. Managing Director, NNPC Retail Ltd


Wind power is the

world’s largest

growing energy

source thanks to advancing

wind turbine technology. Wind

turbines have the potential to

generate enough power to meet

the growing need for electric-

ity, and simultaneously reduce

consumption of water and

emission of pollutants such as

carbon dioxide.

So says senior diagnostician

Steven Lara-Lee Lumley, who

is based at condition monitor-

ing specialists WearCheck’s

Pinetown-based head offi ce.

‘However,’ she notes, ‘barriers

to widespread acceptance of

wind turbines include their

reliability, costs of operation and

maintenance of the equipment

relative to alternative means of

power generation.’

WearCheck recently devel-

oped and launched a condition

monitoring kit which is designed

specifi cally for wind turbines,

aiming to boost their reliability

and reduce operating costs.

Lumley explains, ‘Reliability,

in its mechanical sense, can be

defi ned as the probability of a

device performing its functions

adequately for the period of time

intended under the operating

conditions encountered.

‘The estimated life span of

wind turbines is about 20 years,

compared to conventional steam

turbine generator units that have

averaged 40 years. The failure

rate of wind turbines is about

three times higher than that of

conventional generators. There-

fore, reliability is essential to the

success of wind energy systems

and this requires appropriate

condition monitoring.’

In the wind power arena,

achieving reliability is simple in

theory, yet diffi cult to achieve

as, historically, wind turbine

gearbox failures have plagued

the industry. The wind turbine

gearbox is arguably the most

critical component in terms of

high failure rates and down time.

Lumley continues, ‘Premature

gearbox failures are a leading

maintenance cost driver that

can substantially lower the

profi t margin of a wind turbine

operation as they typically

result in component replace-

ment. WearCheck’s new wind

power condition monitoring

programme aims to reverse

this situation using a managed

maintenance approach.

‘Oil analysis, along with other

condition monitoring tools,

offers the potential to effectively

manage gearbox maintenance by

detecting early damage as well

as tracking the severity of the

damage. It is for this reason that

most OEMs recommend routine

oil analysis as part of an effective

maintenance strategy.

WearCheck’s wind turbine test

kit includes the following tests,

among others:

For the detection of abnormal

wear: spectrometric analysis:

ferrous debris monitoring,

microscopic particle examina-

tion (MPE) and analytical

ferrography.

For the detection of oil

degradation: kinematic viscosity

(KV), viscosity index (VI), Fourier

Transform Infrared (FTIR), total

acid number (TAN) and remain-

ing useful life (RULER).

There is also a range of tests

to detect oil contamination

by, for example, air, water,

additives, wear particles, dirt

and other solids. ‘The goal of

an effective wind turbine oil

analysis program is to increase

the reliability and availability of

the various wind systems, while

minimising maintenance costs

associated with oil change outs,

labour, repairs and downtime.

This is achieved by monitor-

ing the lubricant condition,

contaminants and mechanical

wear,’ says Lumley. .

OIL ANALYS IS

THEMARKETREPORTNEWS • BRIEFING • NEW PRODUCTS • TECHNOLOGY

WearCheck launches wind turbines condition monitoring kit

Lumley explains, ‘Reliability, in its mechanical sense, can be defined as the probability of a device performing its functions adequately for the period of time intended under the operating conditions encountered.

Maintenance engineers

service a wind turbine.

Steven Lara-Lee Lumley


Event: The 2014 European Base Oils & Lubricants Summit Date: 17 - 18 September, 2014Location: Alicante, SpainContact: [email protected]

Event: ICIS 11th Middle Eastern Base Oils & Lubricants ConferenceDate: 13-15 October, 2014Venue: InterContinental Festival City, Dubai, UAEContact: [email protected]

Designing & Implementing a Practical Lubrication Management Program

Date: London, UK. 22nd – 23rd October 2014Budapest, Hungary. 3rd – 4th December 2014Contact : contactus @ syncomedia.com

Event: the 3rd ICIS African Base Oils & Lubricants ConferenceDate: 5th - 6th November, 2014Venue: Cape Town, South AfricaContact: [email protected]

Event: 7th International Symposium of Lubricants, Additives and Fluids Date: 23 October 2014Venue: Sao Paulo, BrazilContact: +55 11 5908 4043

Environmental management is co-ordinated by the National Environmental

Management Environment (NEMA) in Kenya.

THE LUBES DIARY

DUBAI, UAE — ICIS 11th Middle Eastern Base Oils &

Lubricants Conference


We encourage technical questions from our readers. Lubezine’s team of lubricants specialist will be on hand to answer your queries. E-mail: [email protected]

Some OEMs permit extended drain intervals when high quality, high performance synthentix

FAQSThe benefits of synthetic lubricants

See also P.12

Can I re-use brake fluid already opened after some time?One of the properties of

brake fl uid is that it is hygro-

scopic. This means it has a high affi nity of

attracting water. Therefore, once opened

from a can, it is advisable to use all of it.

Otherwise it will attract water from the

atmosphere and dissolve it. This explains

why most brake fl uids are sold in small

containers of 200ml or 250ml. When the

brake fl uid is contaminated with water,

you can have ineffi cient braking system,

corrosion of the metallic parts of the

brake system leading to jamming brakes

or brake failures.

Why should I change the transmission fluid?Transmission fl uid in

modern vehicles is stressed

greatly. Modern transmission fl uid is

used in various ways, among them to

apply clutches, apply hydraulic force,

lubricate and cool all internal parts all

at the same time. The fl uid is always

being pumped through small orifi ces and

pipework in the system which stresses

degradation process, making it necessary

to set both a mileage and time limit with

oil change intervals. Motor oil and vehicle

manufacturers have developed general

recommendations for the maximum

amount of time or miles that the oil can be

used.

What is considered “normal” oil consump-tion?Due to various reasons such

as oil volatility, leakages

and engine condition, some lubricant

will be consumed between oil changes,

necessitating the need for toping up. What

may be considered normal oil consump-

tion for one vehicle may be excessive for

another. As a rule, the more miles and wear

accumulated on an engine, the more oil

that engine consumes. Typically, one litre

of oil within 5,000 kilometre is normal, but

it is best to confi rm oil consumption limits

with the vehicle manufacturer. .

the oil and causes the oil to be ineffi cient.

Furthermore, heat generated by the system

breaks down the transmission fl uid and

oxidises the fl uid. This causes the fl uid to

lose its effectiveness thus making an oil

change necessary after a given duration.

Why is there a miles and time limit with respect to oil change intervals?Irrespective of how well

motor oil is formulated, it won’t last

forever. As the miles accumulate, motor

oil begins to degrade and lose its lubricat-

ing effectiveness while the additives are

depleted. Severe-service driving conditions

accelerate this process. Even with little

mileage on the oil, oxidation, gases and

moisture take their toll and start the

Frequently Asked

Questions


PROTECTINGAND CONNECTING

www.multisolgroup.comEmail [email protected]

Tel +230 468 1709 / 1723

Contact Rakesh Roopnarain

Address Multisol Mauritius Ltd, The Catalyst Building, Ebene, Mauritius

From speciality chemicals to high performance lubricants, Multisol is a global leader in the formulation and distribution of high value hydrocarbon additives and base oils.

From supply chain planning and procurement

to warehousing and logistics, customers throughout

Africa rely upon us to deliver a complete service

including latest technology products, optimising

formulations that enhance performance and

provide the innovative solutions for

a successful future.


A c o m p l e x

combination of

factors is driv-

ing finished lubricant

demand, which in turn

impacts the develop-

ment of the basestock

market. The lubricant

basestock market

is primarily being

influenced by lubri-

cant demand growth,

lubricant blend shifts, and changing supply

composition.

Estimated at 39 million tons in 2013, the

global demand for finished lubricants has

grown nearly 1 per cent from the previous

year. Automotive lubricants account for 53 per

cent of the total demand, industrial products

comprise 44 per cent of the total demand, and

greases account for the balance. Asia is the

epicenter of the global finished lubricants

industry, accounting for over 40 per cent of

the global demand.

Moreover, the North American market

accounts for approximately half of what Asia

consumes at over 20% of the market; mean-

while, Europe (17%), Africa (8%), and South

America (7%) consume the remaining shares

of the market.

Global GDP growth Infl uenced by economic growth and various

socio-economic and quality improvements,

lubricant demand has been tracking global

GDP growth, but with much wider swings in

growth rates, especially during 2009 and 2010.

While the demand numbers have come close

to the pre-recession level, a number of changes

have taken place in the market over the last fi ve

years.

For instance, North America and Europe

combined demand share has since declined

from about 50 per cent to 40 per cent. This owes

in part to accelerated GDP growth in Asian,

African, Middle Eastern, and South American

markets and in part due to growing industri-

alization and high population in Asia-Pacifi c

FUTURE TRENDS

F E A T U R EB A S E O I L S

products which further erodes the market

for Group I. The growing shortage of high

viscosity basestocks is also hidden behind this

supply-demand balance picture.

Profound impact on formulations An emphasis on fuel economy and a modern-

izing vehicle park will drive an increase in the

use of lighter viscosity PCMOs. To ensure that

these low viscosity oils continue to provide

long drain intervals, they need to be made

more durable in terms of oxidative and thermal

stability. This is pointing to the need for low

volatility oils as well as the use of very high

viscosity index oils to compensate for loss of

viscosity in viscosity-modified oils under

extended usage.

The combination of low viscosity for fuel

economy, low volatility, and high viscosity

index (VI) for longer life drives the usage of

Group III basestocks. Asia had initially domi-

nated the supply of Group III; however, the bal-

ance has shifted in recent years and is projected

By Geeta Agashe

Global lubricant base stock supply: what does the future hold?

An emphasis on fuel economy and modernizing vehicle park will drive an increase in the use of lighter viscosity PCMOs

markets increasing demand for lubricants

similar in strength to the combined European

and North American markets.

Furthermore, established North American

and European markets grew at a much slower

pace due to their use of higher quality lubri-

cants including synthetics, which resulted

in the extension of drain intervals, as well as

better maintenance and housekeeping prac-

tices.

Global basestock demand (including Group

IV and V basestock) in 2013 is estimated at over

695 KBD, where Group I is still the largest API

category; however, its share in overall demand

has declined from about 70 per cent to just over

50 per cent. The share of Group II/III in overall

supply has grown from 22 per cent to 40 per

cent between 2004 and 2012, and the supply of

Group II and Group III basestocks far exceeds

their technical need.

As a result, the suppliers of these basestocks

are promoting their use in applications where

there is no need for such high-performance


Q8Oils upgrades field service technician services

See also

P.14to be near equal across all markets in 2022. The

global placement of this Group III production

will have profound impact on formulations

used in each region.

Due to the current large Group II/III over-

supply position, lubricant performance is no

longer a good predictor of basestock demand

as multiple formulation routes exist for a given

specifi cation.

Suppliers’ behavior will influence the

basestock blends posing the questions such

as when and where Group I supply decrease

will occur in exchange increasing Group II /III

supply and where will new plants place their

product. Along with nearly 10 million tons

of new Group II/III capacity planned, the list

of suppliers is also expanding. The shrinking

Group I supply shifts formulations to Group

II/III irrespective of technical needs. With the

optimized Group II/III basestocks exceeding

“technical” need, formulations available in a

region are used to avoid arbitrage.

Which “extended applications” will suppli-

ers pursue and how blenders - basestock con-

sumers - behave will infl uence the blends used

in the market. Suppliers need to understand

what is important to each segment of blenders

and fi nd the best way to provide them while

keeping costs down, as well as understand the

blender’s thought process and if they are infl u-

enced by trends in the market. The basestock

providers will hence need to identify and meet

those needs. Furthermore, the basestock that

is selected by early innovators can experience

a virtuous cycle of increased availability and

applicability leading to increased usage.

Inadequate returns on capitalAs planned basestock capacity additions imply

continued low levels of effective capacity uti-

lization for an extended period, the basestock

industry needs to prepare for substantial capac-

ity rationalization over this decade. Longer

term excess of capacity is leading to accelerated

shutdowns of Group I plants, but also some

high cost/marginal Group II/III closures, and

a continued extended period of low margins.

The return to usual pre-2012 conditions will

only be possible when margins recover to

reinvestment levels in the late 2010s.

Globally, Group I and naphthenic bases-

tocks are tightly balanced. While the overall

supply is in slight surplus, there is huge defi cit

for heavier grades, especially brightstocks.

Group II/II+ are in signifi cant surplus, which

is driving the substitution of Group I in various

automotive and industrial applications.

As a consequence of these factors, Kline

believes that the basestock industry needs

to be thinking of a future very different from

the past, refocusing on demand growth and

uncommitted new capacity. As overcapacity

has essentially destroyed inter-Group qual-

ity premiums, substantial reformulation of

traditional Group I technical demand will

continue for low and medium viscosity grades.

To maximize production of heavy neutrals and

brightstocks, radical revamping of remaining

Group I capacity may occur. This future may

see repositioning of ownership in basestock

players due to the prospect of inadequate

returns on capital over the rest of the decade. .Geeta Agashe is the Senior Vice President of Energy (Kline & Company)

Hass Petroleum (K) Ltd - Kenya, Headquarters

Hass Plaza, Lower Hill Road

P.O. Box 76337-00508, Nairobi

Tel: +254 20 2711587/ 8/90/ 91

ISDN: 2760000

Wireless: 020 2355064/ 5

Cell: +254 736 495999 | Fax: +254 20 2711598/ 613

Email: [email protected]

Hass Petroleum - Tanzania

Vijibweni, Kigamboni

P.O. Box 78341, Dar es Salaam

Tel:+255 222 82 0285/7/9

Cell: +255 736 807662 | Fax: +255 222 820284

Email:[email protected]

Hass Petroleum - Uganda

Nalukulongo, Kampala along Masaka Road

P.O. Box 28294, Kampala

Tel:+256 41 4273292, 4273312, 4273387,414273411

Cell: +256 717200600

Fax: +256 041 4273412


Hass Petroleum - South Sudan

Hass Gas Station Atlabara, next to Juba University

P.O. Box 144, Juba South Sudan

Tel:+ 211 955 010801


Hass Petroleum - Rwanda

Paul VI Avenue, Kiyovu

P.O. Box 411, Kigali

Tel: +250 786890758

Cell: +250 788302059


Hass Petroleum - D. R. Congo

1598 Avenue Kasavubu, commune Lubumbashi

Tel:+243 815 677 772/0/1/4/9

Lubumbashi, D. R. Congo


DIESEL ENGINE OIL


F E A T U R ET E C H N O L O G Y

SYNTHET ICS

The benefits of synthetic lubricants outweigh their mineral-based counterparts

Synthetic oils are made from more advanced refi ning processes, and are of a higher purity and quality than conventional mineral oils. The higher refi nery level not only removes more impurities from the crude oil, it enables individual molecules in the oil to be tailored to the demands of modern engines. These

customized molecules provide higher levels of protection and performance.

Synthetic lubricants contain uniform molecules which ensure less friction while the conventional lubricants have inconsistent molecules hence more friction. Despite synthetics being substantially more expensive than conventional lubricants, their advantages are numerous.

James has been working in the lubricants industry in the areas of sales, marketing and technical support.

By James Wakiru

mber 2014 • SPECIAL EDITION


Increased engine protectionSynthetic oils have been developed specifi -

cally to cope with extreme conditions found

within modern engines. They are much

more free-fl owing than traditional mineral

oils. The greatest benefit is considerably

increased engine protection.

When an engine is fi rst started, a mineral

oil takes some time to circulate, allowing

friction between un- lubricated parts to

cause wear.

In contrast, a synthetic lubricant starts

circulating straight away, protecting every

moving part within the engine.

Emerging middle class and knowledge on engine

oils are driving up use of synthetic oils in Nigeria

See also

P.22Improved fuel consumption During the start up of an engine, the normal

mineral oils have a higher viscosity. This

makes it difficult to be pumped easily,

causing the engine to be less effi cient. More

fuel is used to generate power to heat and

pump the oil to effect lubrication. Synthet-

ics, however, have high viscosity index

hence low viscosity and are easily pumped,

and the engine reaches peak operating effi -

ciency very fast.

Environmental protection Synthetic oils are known to cleaner and

friendlier to the environment – helping in

cutting engine emissions as compared to

conventional mineral oils. Conventional

mineral oils also contain greater amounts

of such contaminants as sulfur, reactive and

unstable hydrocarbons, including other

undesirable contaminants that cannot

be completely removed by conventional

methods in the refi nery of crude oil.

Good Low Temperature Flow PerformanceUnlike mineral-based oils, synthetics fl ow

easily at low temperatures due to excellent

pour point. Pour point is a measure of a

lubricant’s ability to fl ow at low tempera-

tures. Synthetic lubricants are formulated

to reduce internal friction, which results

in outstanding fl ow characteristics at low

temperatures. As a result, components

are lubricated more effectively, especially

during a cold start-up where a signifi cant

amount of component wear can take place

due to unavailability of the lubricant at the

right place.

Viscosity StabilitySynthetics exhibit high viscosity indices. A

higher viscosity index gives a nearly con-

stant viscosity across a wide temperature

range. It also translates to excellent low

temperature performance.

Meanwhile, synthetic lubricants resist

reduction of viscosity at high temperatures,

which results to excellent protection over

the wide operating temperature range.

Improved Oxidation and Thermal StabilityImproved oxidation stability and thermal

stability in synthetic lubricants results in

less viscosity increase with age and better

deposit control. This leads to extended

drain intervals due to less frequent oil

changes.

Wear ProtectionSynthetic lubricants are able to provide

excellent fluid film protection against

metal to metal contact and retain their

strength even at high temperatures and

loading. They also offer higher shear sta-

bility. In essence synthetic lubricants offer

exemplary protection against scuffing, pit-

ting and fatigue wear.

Lower oil consumptionSynthetics are formulated in a way that

they have very low volatility. Volatility

is the ease of a product to evaporate. Due

to this property, it translates to lower oil

consumption or waste.

Longer oil lifeSynthetic oils have superior oxidation

stability. Oxidation produces deposits and

sludges, degrading an oil’s composition

and performance, which leads to increase

in viscosity, frequent oil changes and

increased corrosion.

Synthetic oils are pure and lack mol-

ecules that lead to oil degradation and

oxidation. These translate to use of the oil

for a much longer interval.

Improved savings and profitsSynthetic lubricants optimize equipment

performance and reduce maintenance

costs. When one analyses the effect of

increased drain interval, use of less engine

consumables, lower downtime, the net

gains outweigh the usage hence greater

savings. .

Synthetic lubricants contain uniform molecules which ensure less friction while convectional lubricants have inconsistent molecules hence more friction

Automobile oils at a

lubes retail store.


I N O T H E R W O R L D SB Y Y U S U F K I P R U T O

CONDIT ION MONITORING

Regular monitoring can limit unscheduled costs by reducing man and machine down time to routine service stops, and saving unscheduled maintenance.

Q8Oils upgrades field service technician services with the launch of QCare

When Q8Oils launched its Field

Service Technician (FST) service

at the MACH exhibition in 1992 it

was an instant hit with visitors and was so

well received in the wider industry that, at

METCUT 1994, it received the Metalwork-

ing Production ‘Technical Innovation’

award.

Now, more than twenty years on, Q8Oils

marks the success of FST’s unrivalled

service to the UK manufacturing industry

with the launch of QCare – a major upgrade

of the system that monitors the condition of

Q8Oils metalworking fl uids and lubricants

in a wide range of applications such as

turning, cutting and grinding.

The new QCare service uses a network-

enabled, tablet-based system with a bespoke

‘app’ that enables Q8Oils fi eld service

technicians to monitor fl uids, complete

their audits and deliver results while still

on site. In addition, because FSTs are highly

trained metalworking experts, when work-

ing with machine operators they may also

be able to identify problems as their checks

are completed, and help to rectify them.

A visual inspection and a variety of

tests are conducted to ensure Q8Oils

products are performing correctly. These

include standard fl uid parameters such

as concentration, pH and microbiological

content. They also offer advice that can help

A sample Q-Care user interface and report window.


Shell Lubricants has announced the worldwide launch of Shell Helix Ultra with Shell PurePlus Technology, the company’s most advanced fully synthetic motor oil ever, featuring base oil designed from it’s Pearl GTL plant in Qatar.

Shell PurePlus Technology converts natural gas into a crystal-clear base oil with virtually none of the impurities found in crude oil for use in premium, synthetic lubricants. This base oil is then blended with additives to create the company’s most advanced fully synthetic motor oil ever; Shell Helix Ultra with PurePlus Technology.

Speaking at the global launch event at the Shell Technology Centre Amsterdam – where the revolutionary Shell PurePlus Technology is designed, Selda Gunsel, Vice President of Downstream Global Commer-cial Technology at Shell said: “Shell Helix Ultra with PurePlus Technology represents a huge step forward. The way motor oils are produced has not changed for decades – now,

we have unveiled a new motor oil that surpasses our previous lubricant technology, which is why we are confident when we say that no other engine oil keeps your engine closer to factory clean. Shell Helix Ultra with revolutionary PurePlus Technology harnesses the power of gas to produce the next generation motor oils, bringing together over 40 years of research and development in one new oil.”

Shell PurePlus Technol-ogy base oils have consist-ently lower viscosity at cold temperatures (-25° to -40C°) so they start lubricating an engine straight away from a cold start. These properties translate into important performance benefits for the engine, includ-ing improved cleaning, wear protection, and fuel economy.

“Starting with natural gas, Shell scientists are able to engineer the molecules to create a base oil with specific properties and characteristics. When this base oil is then combined with the carefully crafted additive package, it

creates superior motor oils that off er a level of cleaning and protection not possible with lesser base oils,” said Robert Sutherland, Shell Helix Global Technology Manager. “Shell PurePlus Technology has also paved the way for the next generation of motor oils by off ering possibilities for new viscosity grades. So far, this has enabled us to create the Shell Helix Ultra 0W-range, and we are already working on future developments.”

Shell Helix Ultra with PurePlus Technology meets the most modern industry specifications and has received approvals from leading vehicle and engine manufacturers across the world.

Shell PurePlus Technology

base oils are produced at the Pearl GTL plant in Qatar; a partnership between Shell and Qatar Petroleum. This facility is the world’s largest gas-to-liquids facility, and can produce approximately one million tonnes of base oils per year.

The new Shell Helix Ultra with PurePlus Technology range is currently being rolled out to markets worldwide. In Africa, Egypt was amongst the first countries to launch the product in early May

In April of this year, Pennzoil, a Shell company, announced the introduction of Pennzoil Platinum® and Pennzoil Ultra® Platinum Full Synthetic motor oils also blended with these same Shell GTL base oils. .Source: OEM/Lube news

Shell Launches Helix Ultra with Shell PurePlus Technology

customers increase coolant life and opti-

mise performance resulting in improved

machining processes and reduced machine

down time.

Customers can also logon to the QCare

system using their own tablet or desktop

computer, and view a full historical report

at any time, and share it with colleagues.

In the past twenty years the FST system

has moved from a ‘paper’ system requiring

everything to be written down and multiple

copies made, to an advanced and automated

‘traffi c-light’ system that identifi es condi-

tions as Green (normal), Amber (caution

e.g. adjust fl uid concentration) or Red

(immediate action required).

As direct sales manager Jeremy Dineen

explains: “The new QCare system is very

much easier to operate, fully-automated

and therefore much quicker, and will create

a graphic chart to show a full history of

any individual machine.” He adds that the

new system is very compact, much more

user-friendly on site, and allows data to be

distributed instantly.

The combination of Q8Oils’

highly-trained fi eld service technicians

and modern tablet technology enables

customers to streamline their metalwork-

ing operation by maintaining machine

performance and saving signifi cant costs.

Regular monitoring can limit unscheduled

costs by reducing man and machine down

time to routine service stops, and saving

unscheduled maintenance. .Source: PRWeb


F E A T U R EC O V E R

SYNTHET ICS DEMAND

Africa’s rising synthetics demand — Kenyan perspective

De s i r o u s o f

better per-

f o r m a n c e ,

l o t s o f

motorists in Africa

today are warming

up to synthetically

formulated motor

oil in what is a signifi -

cant break from the

accustomed mineral-

oil-based lubricants,

whose use was erstwhile dominant in the

African region, and among many other

developing countries globally.

Given that the cost of synthetic lubri-

cants is relatively higher, they previously

remained the preserve of elite consumers,

owing to their greater buying power. Low

levels of awareness also made a contribution

to the slow uptake of the oils. But the popu-

larity of synthetic lubricants has ascended

lately, partly on account of a rise in the level

of incomes and awareness among the conti-

nent’s middle-class – which constitute the

bulk of motorists in the region.

The expanding middle class population

within the African market has caused the

number of synthetic lubricants users to

go up in tandem with regional economic

growth.

Performance excellenceIt is evident that motorists here have lately

become keener on quality, and increas-

ingly settle on products that guarantee

performance excellence, successfully pit-

ting synthetic oil against its mineral-based

counterpart.

Compared to conventional mineral oil-

based motor oils, synthetic based products

offer higher performance levels, what with

their characteristic lower NOACK volatility

levels that guarantees lower oil consump-

tion.

Additionally the ability for these oils to

run for more kilometers before they require

drain is appealing to more motorists as it

means less visits to the garage for oil change.

In fact, in Europe, with synthetic based oil,

drain intervals for diesel trucks is above

100,000 kilometers and 15,000 kilometers

for petrol engines. And the region is curi-

ously giving in to the allure.

According to Mr. Andrew Njoroge, work-

shop manager at Marshals East Africa, syn-

thetic oils made entry into the Kenyan local

motor service industry in 2005 – or therea-

bouts. However, their popularity and uptake

have remained low over the years, with only

a handful of clients having knowledge about

them. But this is changing fast due to new

market dynamics that have caused a signifi -

cant change in purchasing trends.

‘’Consumer awareness has increased fol-

lowing the rise in end users information

levels in Kenya. Unlike the past, when cli-

ents left the type of lubricant to use in their

motor vehicles to the discretion of their

service personnel, these days most of them

are very particular on the type of lubricant

they desire to be used in their motor engines.

Many of them recommend fully synthetic

motor oil, ‘’ Mr. Njoroge, who has over 17

years of experience in the motor service

industry told Lubezine magazine in an

interview.

‘From my observation, consumer choices

are increasingly getting influenced by

knowledge, although there are others who

specify particular motor oil on account of

By Nyakundi H Nyagaka


Rising popularity of synthetic oils has been motivated by motor vehicle manufacturers

prescription as required type of lubricant

their level of enthusiasm in motoring. Some,

especially the younger generation, demand

synthetic oil because they know it is the

latest technology in lubrication, and they

are keen to be associated with it’, he added.

Long drainage intervalsAccording to him, the increasing appeal

for synthetic lubricants is not entirely on

account of purchasing power. More clients

lately, he observed, request for fully synthet-

ic lubricants to avoid getting back to service

centers frequently for oil replacement and

regular servicing.

‘Seven out of ten of the clients I attend to

invariably insist on synthetic lubricants.

I think more people are now aware that

synthetic lubricants have drain intervals

that are as long as twice when compared to

those of mineral oil based lubricants. They

are also knowledgeable that synthetic oils

have a high performance level’, he said.

While Mr. Njoroge’s observation was

consistent in most of the service centres we

visited, experts and marketers have observed

that a global environmental angle is infl u-

encing trends that can be attributed to the

splashing of synthentic oils into the region’s

market. New approaches to lubrication are

being undertaken in developed countries

leading to an increased usage of synthetic

lubricants.

With more Original Equipment Manufac-

turers (OEM’s) also recommending synthet-

ic oils, the currently increasing pressure in

the fl ow of synthentic oil into Africa can also

be pointed back to the changing equipment

manufacturers’ lubrication preferences as

well.

Appreciating the pro-synthentic con-

sumer trend as a reckonable reality in Africa,

Mr. Mohammed L. Baraka , who has decades

of experience in the lubricants industry both

locally and globally, says the highly refi ned

lubricants are not yet as popular as they

should be regionally.

Mr. Baraka – Managing Director of Syn-

ergy Lubricants Limited, based in Kenya – is

convinced the relatively rising popularity

of synthentic oils here has been motivated

particularly by motor vehicle manufactur-

ers’ prescriptions of synthetic as the required

type of lubricants to be used, creating a larger

market for them. He recommends the use of

the oils, but puts a technical rider to their

reputation for effi ciency.

‘Synthentic oils are characteristically

thin. It is important to note on the outset

that just because a lubricant is formulated

synthetically does not always guarantee that

it is of a superior quality to mineral-based

oil. To ensure the quality is up to the desired

level, there has to be an appropriate addi-

tive technology and expertise to maintain

suitable film thickness (viscosity), which

will avoid metal-to-metal contact’, he says.

He further adds that OEM’s are designing

engines requiring synthentic oil in line with

environmental regulations in the developed

world.

‘In developed countries, synthentic oils

are in fact the preferred class of lubricants,

largely due to regulations initiated by envi-

ronmentalists. Synthentic oils have a longer

drain interval, why they are now encouraged

to guard against unnecessary environmental

pollution.

Environmental concerns‘Synthetic oils also increase fuel effi ciency

in comparison to mineral-based oils, reduc-

ing fuel consumption. In recommending

synthentic oil, environmentalists know

that excessive use of fossil fuels raises envi-

ronmental pollution considerably’ he told

Lubezine magazine in a recent interview.

In some parts of Africa, motor oil quality

standards are so unimplemented and unen-

forced that they raise critical environmental

concerns. In Kenya, for example, the mini-

mum petrol engine and diesel engine speci-

fi cation are API SF and API CD respectively.

These classes of lubricants are not only of

very low quality, but they also pose a threat

to the environment owing to their very short

drainage periods.

”Even with these low standard product

thresholds, some products available in the

market are of much lower quality as they are

made from recycled base oils. It is for this

reason we should set standards based on

drain interval and not obsolete API specifi -

cations for which we don’t have means to

measure compliance. Once we start focusing

on long drains and the resulting benefi t to

the economy due to lower lubrication and

maintenance costs, protection of environ-

ment and the need to save fuel, the demand

for synthetic lubricants will without doubt

increase’ said Mr. Baraka.

He also emphasized that for extended

Porsche showroom in Kenya. With such

models on Kenyan roads , synthetic oil

demand is on the rise.


drains to be achieved, proper maintenance

practices must be adhered to. ‘The filters

used must be of standard quality. The sulfur

content in our diesel should also be reduced

from current 500 parts per million to 10

parts per million as is the case in developed

countries to make it possible to use a class

of high quality oils that demand less sulfur

in fuels’, he told us .

Mr. James Wakiru, who has a long his-

tory with lubricants, also agrees that Africa

is increasingly embracing synthetic oils. He

however advises end users to use the oil only

because it performs better rather than for its

longer drainage interval, because operating

conditions here in Africa cannot sustain

long oil change intervals typical in the more

developed countries.

“In developed countries there are no harsh

environmental conditions as there are in

Africa. There are factors to consider such

as high levels of dust in most parts of Africa

which can ingress into the engine and cause

a lot of wear. The motoring habits here are

also different and they tend to cause more

strain on the engines. With these factors, if

long drainage intervals are allowed, the well-

being of the engine will be compromised

to a great extent. This is the reason why I

would recommend that consumers should

not double the drainage interval prescribed

for synthetic oil, unless their vehicles’ air

fi ltration is proper and other consumables

such as oil fi lters are of high quality’, Mr.

Wakiru said.

Besides increasing consumer awareness,

within the African region, as is indeed the

case in most developing countries, the

number of motorists is also increasing and

with it the demand for lubricants.

According to a February, 2014 report

by Be Forward, among leading Japanese

car exporters, Africa is among the largest

markets for established brands such as

Toyota today, ahead of the United States

of America, Europe, China and India. For

instance, Nigeria is the largest car buyer in

Africa, with 70,000 purchases annually. On

the same note, South Africa has the largest

car number per capita, with one in every fi ve

people owning a motor vehicle, providing a

huge market for lubricants and other atten-

dant services.

The driving factors for the ballooning

number of motor vehicles in Africa include

growing population and urbanization; fast

growing economies and rising economic

levels; cheap imports of used vehicles; and

consumer tastes and global trends. This

trajectory is expected to continue soaring

since census projections point to further

population growth in coming years.

While the foregoing bode well for motor

vehicle dealers, lubricants also have a rosy

future in the region, with the increasing

popularity of synthetic lubricants providing

a fresh market edge for marketers. With the

rising level of incomes here, coupled with

expanding knowledge of motoring among

consumers, preferences are changing as

consumers become more inclined to quality

than buyers for mere utility.

However, there are challenges in the

Kenyan market, among them the fact that

these lubricants are in some cases not read-

ily available as compared to their mineral

oil based counterparts. This can partly be

explained by the fact that the country does

not have a synthetic-oil manufacturing facil-

ity, and so relies entirely on importation of

fi nished products.

‘Whenever we make orders for the semi-

synthetic range of the motor oil, they are

readily available, but for the fully synthetic

oil we sometimes miss the orders, making it

necessary to do a reorder. We are not sure if

this owes to a high demand over-stripping

supply or whether it is because the deliveries

to the outlets are slow,’ observes Njoroge.

‘The demand for synthetic oil is bound to

increase going forward because the major-

ity of those purchasing vehicles today are

the young people, who are tech-savvy and

do a lot of research on latest motor vehicle

service trends’, he says.

Local productionLocal refining of Synthetic base oils can

signifi cantly reduce the cost of the oils and

increase their demand further at a progres-

sive expense of inferior lubricants.

‘African Governments should think about

setting up a synthetic lubricants base oils

refi nery jointly. Given that individual coun-

tries in Africa do not currently have demand

volumes that can justify a refi nery in, say

each country, an alliance is feasible. Our

countries should come together and put up

a refi nery in partnership with international

base oil producers.

The regional countries would guarantee

markets for the plant. We have the natural

gas and we can build gas to liquid (GTL)

plant. This would go a long way in boosting

the production of the lubricants’, says Mr.

Baraka, noting that most of the base oils

being used locally are imported from mul-

tinationals at higher costs.

Sensitizing the publicAsked to comment on the synthentic oil

market in Africa, Mr. Baraka said: ‘While it

is true that the demand for synthentic lubri-

cants is rising, one of the main reasons why

synthentic lubricants are still expensive

is because, the volumes formulators are

importing are low and, as such, make it an

expensive affair as opposed to if they were

importing in larger volumes.

If we continue sensitizing the public

about the importance of using synthentic

oils, they will come to appreciate that chang-

ing oil now and again is expensive in the

long run, and harmful to the environment.

They will then not mind embracing qual-

ity. That will effectively increase demand

volumes and reduce importation and retail

costs as well’

As for the costs, Mr. Wakiru observes

that the price of synthetic oil has reduced

drastically. He says the oil is not expensive

as many people would want to think since

it protects the engine effectively and has a

long drain interval. With this, consumers

can avoid costly engine failures and run for

more kilometers before they require drain.

‘Synthetic oil used to be four to fi ve times

more expensive than mineral based oils. But

these days it is 40 to 70 per cent higher. Con-

sidering that the oil is the best for the engine

and that it has a longer drainage interval,

synthetic oil should not be regarded as

expensive’, he says. .

F E A T U R EC O V E R

“The demand for synthetic oil is bound to increase going forward because most buyers are young people who are tech-savvy and do a lot of research on latest motor vehicle service trends”

19 September 2014 • SPECIAL EDITION | LUBEZINE MAGAZINE 19September 2014 • SPECIAL EDITION | LUBEZINE MAGAZINE

Synthetic lubes driven much by OEM demands to

reach 18% of total global Lube Demand by 2023 P.22

See story

By Olaolu Olusina

An emerging middle class is without doubt driving the presently discernible

rise in the demand for synthetic oils in Nigeria’s lubricants market and within most parts of West Africa as well.

With more incomes at their disposal, especially among exotic and high-end automobile owners, consumers in this emerging class – who include a sprouting class of aff luent business people – are no longer going for anything cheap, particularly when it comes to making decisions on the type of oils they use for their vehicles.

The World Bank defines the emerging middle class in Africa as people whose earnings range between $2 and $20 a day. This range of income earners has widened across the various countries of West Africa. With more money to spend, the Bretton Woods institution projects that by the year 2060, Africa’s middle class is expected to grow from 355 million (34 percent of the continent’s population) to 1.1 billion (42 per cent) of the continent’s population).

And with Nigeria off icially becoming the largest economy in Africa following the rebasing of its GDP, expected to grow at 6.75 per cent a year; and Ghana becoming more buoyant with her oil, and Sierra Leone currently rated as the fastest growing economy in West Africa, observers of the emerging trend in the lubes market in the continent are optimistic that this growth will also translate into a major leap in the synthetic oil

market. This, they believe, will not

only reflect in the automobiles sector but also in the industrial sector, especially with the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) taking the lead in recommending quality synthetic oils for their customers.

Olumide Okusanya is the Managing Director of Auto Select Corp, a Lagos-based marketer of American lubricants. He listed the driving force on the increasing demand for synthetic oil in the country to include more awareness on the part of the consumers.

“Consumers are now better aware of the right oil to use for their automobiles and industrial engines than before,” he said. This, according to him, is because manufacturers of new generation cars and the OEMs now off er recommendations on the type of oil to be used for their products.

“You don’t expect somebody who bought a high-end car to go and use substandard engine oil for it,” he added, attributing the increasing demand to the emerg-ing middle class with more money to spend on new generation cars and other high-end vehicles.

“The emerging middle class is made of better educated men and women who are well-informed and more knowledgeable. They don’t go for cheap cars like you find in the grey import market. They are able to make a choice on the right oil to use for their vehicles,” he said. He also noted that the market is also driven by adequate supply to meet the increasing demand.

On the future of the market,

Okusanya said: “The future is very promising as there is no going back on synthetics. The technolo-gy of new generation cars requires high-end oils such as synthetics. The demand right now is very right and is supporting supplies. It can only continue to be better and investment in the area of synthetic oil looks very promising.”

However, Jane Opara, a lubri-cants specialist who oversees the Industrial Lubricants department at Eterna Oil, a major blender in Nigeria, sees the trend diff erently.

“What we are witnessing is in line with globalization,” she said, adding that “Everybody is moving towards synthetic oil because it performs better and off ers higher protection to vehicles because of the way it is formulated.” Opara said though synthetic oils are more expensive, they off er better performance to engines in terms of durability.

Eterna Oil, according to her, is responding to the demands in the synthetic market by off ering the Castro Eterna synthetic oil, which is an imported product. She insisted that there is no facility for producing synthetic oil in Nigeria for now.

According to Opara, OEMs are also moving towards this trend as marketers continue to create more awareness by educating the customers on the right choice to make.

And for the automobile sector, she said the driving force in the synthetic oil market are the owners of high-end and exotic luxury vehicles and not the middle class.

But Lubcon’s Managing Director Mr. Taiye Williams disagrees with Opara, saying Lubcon has the facility to produce synthetic oil and was the first indigenous blender to manufacture synthetic oil in Nigeria.

“In the last few years, we’ve seen the growth of synthetic oil. But in Nigeria, most of the synthetics are imported. Though some people felt it was not possible to produce synthetic oil in Nigeria, Lubcon was the first to do it with our RUGGEDELITE and I think A-Z (another local blender) also came up with their own,” Williams said.

He listed the factors responsible for the growth of the market, including the availability of new cars on Nigerian roads, a new breed of educated and enlightened consumers, who are now into auto care and service business.

He suggested that the emerging middle class as well as the infor-mational and education initiatives being provided by lube blenders to mechanics are, according to him, now manifesting.

“The new breed of auto care stations is coming up and their owners are enlightened people who are able to recommend the right type of oil to use for motor-ists. With time, this class will send out the uninformed mechanics out of market if the mechanics refuse to go along with the trend,” he said.

For the OEMs, Williams said “They have their own developers who work with some local blend-ers who blend for them on behalf of the OEMs,” describing the trend as a good development. .

Emerging middle class, new generation cars drive Nigeria’s synthetic oil market

SYNTHET ICS DEMAND


1 January-March 2012 | LUBEZINE MAGAZINE 111January-Maanunuaryuary-Muary-M-MarcMarchMarchMarchchJ 20201012 12 2010012122 |||| LUBLUBLUBEZINEBEZINBEZINE ME MMAGAAGAMAGAMAGALUBBEZI E AUB MLUB MMLUBBE ZIZINZZINZINENENENENEINEINENEZINZZINZ NNEZIIINZII

Inside Kenya’s lubricants capital

The basics of oil additives P.16

Inside Kenya’sInside Ken a’sKirinyagayyyyyyyyyyyyy g

RoadPLUS: THE MARKET REPORT P.4

VOL .3 • JANUARY-MARCH 2012

NOT FOR SALE


FOCUS ON

A guide to buying lubricants P.10NEW LOOK!

1 July-September 2012 | LUBEZINE MAGAZINE

PLUS: THE MARKET REPORT P.4

VOL .4 • JULY-SEPTEMBER 2012

NOT FOR SALE


New trend in lubricants packaging P.20Consumer choices lubricants survey P.18

A guide to oil analysis

Improving plant maintenance

condition monitoring

MAIN FEATURE

through

1 November 2012-January 2013 | LUBEZINE MAGAZINE

PLUS: THE MARKET REPORT P.4

VOL .5 • NOVEMBER 2012-JANUARY 2013

EAST AFRICA EDITION


Overview of lubrication equipment business P.20The essence of plant realibility training P.18

The Return ofMAIN FEATURE

MultinationalBrands

1 February-April 2013 | LUBEZINE MAGAZINE

PLUS: H1 FOOD GRADE LUBRICANTS P.14

VOL .6 • FEBRUARY-APRIL 2013

EAST AFRICA EDITION


Kenya Shell rebrands into Vivo Energy P.4Synthetic technology — All you need to know P.12

MAIN FEATURE

SILICONEngine enemy

number one1 May-July 2013 | LUBEZINE MAGAZINE

PLUS: ENI BRAND RETURNS TO EAST AFRICA P.4

VOL .7 • MAY-JULY 2013


Lubrication in the food and beverage industry P.4Focus on Pan African lubes brands P.26

PLUS

USED OIL AS FUEL FOR GLASS WORKS IN KENYA

MAIN FEATURE

CEMENT PLANT LUBRICATION

“Lubezine is exactly what our market needed. A magazine that contains articles on current issues affecting lubricant consumers as well as the science of lubrication as an engineering field. Readers

get a chance to learn from industry leaders and experts who contribute

to the magazine and are ever willing to share their knowledge with

the readers, I being one of them. It is a must read magazine for all

maintenance and plant engineers.

Crispin MbogoDROPLEX INDUSTRIALwww.droplex.com

LUBE

ZIN

E IS

EDIT

ION

S OL

D!

20 LUBEZINE MAGAZINE | September-November 2014

10


1 November 2013-January 2014 | LUBEZINE MAGAZINE

VOL .8 • NOVEMBER 2013-JANUARY 2014


Mitumba lubricants, an environmental catastrophy P.10Conversations on Viscometrics P.24

PLUS: WEARCHECK OPENS LAB IN MOZAMBIQUE P.5

MAIN FEATURE

OIL ANALYSIS IN TRANSFORMER MAINTENANCE

Over time, I have been a constant reader of Lubezine magazine. In

addition to the informative articles and detailed lubricant trends analysis,

of particular interest being the FAQS sections and the environmental

issues related to lubricants, Lubezine magazine has provided a good

marketing platform for my business. With affordable advertising space costs

and a wide readership, it definitely is a good marketing base. Lubezine

magazine boasts of an assured clarity in content and up to date information

making it the number one source of Lubricants trends in Africa. Kudos Lubes Africa, keep up the good work.

Jane WachukaSenior Consultant

GRUN WORLD SERVICES

Lubezine has not only been a source of information to me as a marketer but also a wellspring of knowledge to better my career as a lubricants sales professional. It is a must-read

for every person working within the lubricants industry.

Richard NdakaLUBRICANTS ENGINEER

“Lubezine is currently the only authoritative and informative lubes

magazine for current information on the lubricants petroleum sector in

the east Africa region”

Richard MugambiGULF ENERGY (K) LTD

Lubezine as the first regular industry publication on lubricants has achieved

very high professional standards in terms of content and quality in the short time

it has been in circulation. It features highly relevant contribution from reputed

local and foreign lubrication experts and provides an unparalleled forum

for highlighting lubrication issues and business trends in Africa and beyond.

Billy MugerLUBRICANTS PROFESSIONAL- KENYA

1

SPECIAL EDITION | LUBEZINE MAGAZINE



Nigeria holds first lubricants summit P.5

Lubes market growth revs up EA mold making services P.24


MAIN FEATURE


1 February-April 2014 | LUBEZINE MAGAZINE

VOL .9 • FEBRUARY-APRIL 2014


Designing motorcycle oils to meet OEMs and end user needs P.10Developing effective plant lubrication programme P.24

PLUS: HYRAX OIL ENTERS UGANDAN MARKET P.4

MAIN FEATURE

Africa’s geothermal energy fuels new lubes demand

21 September-November 2014 | LUBEZINE MAGAZINE


F E A T U R ET E C H N O L O G Y

the decision on part of the customer on the

brand to be used from a set of OEM approved

brands, said Morvey.

Morvey stated that global synthetic lubri-

cant demand is dependent on a number of

regulatory, technological, marketing, and

economic drivers. OEM recommendations is

one of the most important drivers for increased

demand of synthetic lubricants in both the

automotive and industrial segments. This was

most evident in the United States, beginning

in 2010 and 2011, as conversion to synthetics

was carried out in PCEO by Toyota, Honda, and

General Motors in both factory and service fi ll

applications.

In 2013, HDEO accounts for 75% of total

commercial fi nished lubricant demand with

Asia-Pacifi c being the leading region. Overall

synthetic lubricant penetration in the com-

mercial market is only 6% though. Penetration

by major countries varies signifi cantly with

Europe at 24%, followed by North America

at only 4% (synthetic and semi-synthetic).

Germany has the highest overall synthetic

penetration due to the large portion of the

market using semi-synthetic products. Most

commonly used synthetic products include

gear oils and transmission fl uids due to long

drain intervals and extended warranty pro-

grams from select driveline equipment OEMs.

Regarding industrial lubricants, Morvey

pointed out that the Asia-Pacific region has

continued to capture industrial activity, and

its share of industrial lubricants has grown

from 37% in 2008 to 43% in 2013. This trend

is slowing down and may stop, according to

Morvey. Overall synthetic penetration in the

industrial market is 12%. Penetration by major

countries varies signifi cantly with Europe at

17%, followed by North America at 16% and

Asia Pacifi c at 9%. Germany has the highest

overall synthetic penetration in the industrial

market. Europe and Germany in particular are

trendsetters on Health Safety and Environ-

ment (HSE) matters which drives synthetic

usage.

In 2013, ExxonMobil is estimated by Kline

to retain the #1 market share among of fin-

ished synthetic lubricants at global (18%)

and regional levels (as high as 24% in North

America). Globally, BP follows at 11% and

then Shell at 9%. “ExxonMobil’s Mobil 1 line

of synthetic lubricants maintains a consistent

message and one that is easily recognized,

regardless of region or country market”. .

Global finished lubricant demand,

excluding process oils, is projected to

reach 35.7 million tons in 2017 and 38.7

million tons in 2023 up from 33.5 million tons

in 2013 according to research and consulting

fi rm Kline’s “Global Synthetic Lubricants 2013

Market Analysis and Opportunities” which

summarizes Kline’s fourth comprehensive

analysis of the market for synthetic and semi-

synthetic fi nished automotive and industrial

lubricants. Of this, synthetics’ share of the 33.5

million metric ton global lubricants market

in 2013 (excluding process oil) will grow to 18

percent of the 38.7 million tons of total lubri-

cant demand in 2023, said Kline.

Total global finished lubricant demand,

including process oils, is estimated at 39.2

MT in 2013, up 1% overall compared to 2012

with synthetic and semi-synthetic lubricants

accounting for close to 13% of total demand

Kline found in this recently completed study

and presented in a webinar last month by

George Morvey, industry manager for Kline’s

energy practice,

Of the estimated at 39.2 MT in 2013 men-

tioned above, regionally, Asia Pacifi c, at 43%,

consumes the greatest percentage of the global

lubricants market, followed by North America

at 25% and Europe at 17%. By application,

HDEO, at 23% commands the greatest use of

fi nished lubricants, followed by PCEO/MCO at

21% and PO (Process Oil) at 14%.

Morvey stated that the report is global

and includes the major lubricant consuming

regions, specifi cally Asia Pacifi c, North Amer-

ica, Europe, Africa-ME and South America, and

their respective leading country markets. The

study base year is 2013 with forecasts to 2017

and 2023.

According to Morvey, synthetic lubricants

mentioned in this study include those formu-

lated with Group III, Group IV (PAO), and vari-

ous Group V basestocks. Full synthetics have

100% of these basestocks; semi-synthetics

Synthetic lubes driven much by OEM demands to reach 18% of total global lube demand by 2023

DEMAND

have a portion (~20% to 30%) of these base-

stocks, though there is no generally accepted

cut-off.

Globally, synthetic and semi-synthetic

lubricants account for close to 13% of total

2013 fi nished lubricant demand with Europe

claiming the greatest percentage, at 28%, fol-

lowed by North America at 15% and the Asia

Pacifi c region third at 10%. South America’s

synthetics penetration reached 7 percent,

while Africa and Middle East together was

just 4 percent.

Morvey said “Much of the increase in syn-

thetic lubricant demand has to do with OEM

technical demand, new vehicle sales in Asia-

Pacifi c, and industrial and commercial equip-

ment modernization. The conversion from

conventional to synthetic PCMO is driven by

the technical demands of OEMs such as Toyota

and Honda who have signifi cantly increased

their requirement for synthetic oils.”

In 2013, PCEO accounts for 75% of total

consumer lubricant demand, with North

America the leading region, The highest

synthetic penetration is in Europe, being

driven by established OEM technical demand

in both premium and mass market vehicles,

consumer demand for extended ODIs, lower

maintenance costs and environmental ben-

efi ts. While overall synthetic penetration in

the consumer market is 26%, penetration by

major countries varies signifi cantly with the

highest in the UK. Germany has the strict-

est defi nition of “synthetic” and the highest

penetration of full synthetic. However, when

semi-synthetics are included, the country is

eighth in terms of synthetic/semi-synthetic

penetration.

Morvey said that in all the country markets

synthetic motor oil sales mainly go through

the installed channels. “Within the installed

channels, more of the product is being con-

sumed and pushed through the OEM franchise

workshops. In most cases, the mechanic makes

F E A T U R EG L O B A L M A R K E T


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F E A T U R EP A C K A G I N G

Lubes market growth revs up

EA mold making services

MOLDS

Lubricants industryIn the East African market, the few mold

making companies that have been in opera-

tion have largely focused on the needs of other

industries that require packaging materials

such as the beverage and edible oils industry.

But this is changing now that lubricants con-

stitute a considerable market for both mold

and container makers, following the increase

in the number of lubricant marketers and an

increasing market size. The fi erce competition

amongst the lubricant marketers has fuelled

constant product improvements both in qual-

ity and visual appeals through new package

designs.

Established in 1997, Plas-Kit Kenya is one

The importance of good packaging design cannot be underestimated in the marketing of lubricants more so for the automotive range. Customers tend to associate some quality aspects to the products contained in a well-designed and attractive container. This has resulted in many lubricant companies continuously upgrading or renewing their

packaging designs to meet market needs.With each new package design, there is need for a new mold. In the

East African region, companies that package their lubes locally either source for molds from within or outside the region mostly from China and the Middle East. Availability of mold making companies locally is of great convenience to companies that package their products in plastic containers.

By Lubezine Team

Plas-Kit Kenya proprietor Mr. Iqbal Singh.


of the companies providing mold-making

services in Kenya. The company has a wide

range of clients extending to other countries

in the East African region. Mr. Iqbal Singh, the

fi rm’s proprietor, says the demand for molds

by oil marketers has risen significantly, and

he attributes the phenomenon to the entry of

more players into the lubricants industry and

the expanding regional market for lubricants.

‘We receive more orders for molds these

days from lubricants companies as compared

to, say, ten years ago. Of course we make molds

for companies dealing in other products, but on

lubricants I can say the demand for lubricants

plastic molds has gone up in comparison to

what it was before’, he told Lubezine magazine

recently.

To get a glimpse of how the growth of the

lubricants industry has infl uenced the demand

for packaging material, we asked him how

many oil companies have been part of his

clientele as far as lubricants are concerned.

‘Well, we have two types of clients. The fi rst

group makes orders to us directly while the

other’s orders are made indirectly. We make

the molds they have ordered based on samples,

drawings, photographs or designs provided’, he

said.

‘The companies that make direct orders to

us include Gulf Energy, National Oil, KenolKo-

bil, OSENN Lubricants, Synergy and Lacheka.

There are more others, but their orders are

made indirectly through other companies

associated with plastic containers,‘ he said.

Focus to lubricantsIn accordance with the designs specifi ed by

clients, the company makes various types

of molds, including injection molds, blow

molds and PET molds, each of which Mr.

Singh says is made accurately in line with

the unique dimensions and specifi cations

provided by their clients. This is achieved

with their Computerised Numerical Con-

trolled Machines (CNC).

‘You see, a mold is not just a block of

steel; each section is made with a special

type of metal alloy to meet standard qual-

ity requirements. We have the technology

with which to achieve the level of precision

required in the containers that will be made

through our molds. We use various specifi c

types of alloys in the molds to also ensure

that the molds last to the desired lifespan.

Our molds have to meet the warrantee pro-

visions as well.’

Elsewhere in Africa, plastic mold services

are not spread out evenly. South Africa hosts

a larger number of companies specializing

in plastic molds manufacturing than most

countries here. They include Africa Plastics,

Calibre Plastics, Daletech Engineering, and

Darsim Tools and Die. However, surging

demand within other industries requir-

ing packaging, including the lubricant

industry, will in all likelihood lead to the

establishment of more such companies in

more countries within the continent.

With diminishing profi ts resulting from a

strict fuel regulatory regime, particularly in

Kenya, marketers have shifted their focus to

lubricants to remain afl oat and supplement

their profits. This development, coupled

with such other factors as the increasing

national fl eet will without doubt continue

to rev up the demand for oil, and with it the

demand for consumables such as containers

and auxiliary services such as mold-making

services. .

Lube companies are continuously upgrading or renewing their packaging designs leading to demand for new molds

Lube-oil molds.


1. Which was your fi rst involvement in lubrication services?Shortly after college in 1996, I joined Kobil

as a Technical Sales Representative. Later in

1997, I moved to Total Kenya as a Territory

Manager and later on the Total Nairobi Joint

Depot Manager. In September 2000, I left for

the US to pursue a Masters in Engineering

Technology. On graduation in 2001, I was

hired by General Electric as the GE Techni-

cal Director at Kansas City Southern Railroad

providing technical service support to their

GE locomotives. In 2007, I became the GE

Lead Lean Manufacturing and New Product

Introduction Engineer for GE Remanufactur-

ing Services for locomotive traction motors.

2. You worked in the US for many years. What motivated you to come back to Kenya to provide professional services in the local industry?I was inspired by the demand for industrial

lubrication services. While in the US, I used

to receive numerous invitations from clients

here in need of industrial lubrication solu-

tions. I would come back, attend to them and

return to the US.

But with the need for regular monitor-

ing of industrial machinery for most of my

clients, it became necessary to return to the

country again and again. This prompted me

to consider returning to the country.

3. When you came back to the country you set up a company. Tell us about it. Yes, upon my return I started a company

focused on providing Total Lubrication

Solutions. Droplex Industrial opened its

doors here in Kenya in 2010, becoming the

fi rst company providing such services in the

region.

The services we provide include instal-

lation and maintenance of automated lube

systems; general lubrication equipment; con-

tamination control solutions; maintenance

contract services; plant lubrication audits;

and fl uid transfer systems.

4. In your practice as a lubrication expert you have had the privilege of having both the local and global perspectives as far as professional lubrication solutions are concerned. What are your observations on the industry in Kenya?Lubrication has not been accorded the

importance it deserves here within the

industry, in my view. There is still an

entrenched mindset that lubrication is just

but adding oil or grease. In reality, however,

it is more than that, and it should in fact

be rated number one among the priorities

to be given serious consideration in indus-

SALES PROCESS

Inspired by increasing demand for professional lubrication services in Kenya, CRISPIN MBOGO – a Mechanical Engineer – shifted his base from the United States of America, where he had had various professional stints, to set about providing professional lubrication services and solutions here in Kenya. His effort culminated in the setting up of a pioneer company specializing in,

among other attendant services, industrial lubrication. But as the Lubezine Team established in a recent interview with him, various initiatives need to be put in place by relevant industry parties to boost the adoption of professional lubrication services.

QUESTIONS10 FOR LUBRICANTS PROFESSIONALS

Why professional industrial lubrication should be prioritized

Droplex Industrial CEO Chrispin Mbogo at company off ices in Nairobi.


trial maintenance practices. Lubrication is

everything as far as the smooth running of a

plant is concerned. With proper lubrication,

plants are more effi cient, produce more and

save on energy and repair costs.

On the other hand, when due attention is

not paid to lubrication, machinery is bound

to break down often, occasioning hefty

maintenance costs and resulting in huge

loses on account of stalled production.

In global leading manufacturing organi-

zations, the top maintenance technicians

are the lubrication champions entrusted

to guide the plant lubrication processes

because they understand that it is the most

important element in plant maintenance

activities.

5. What measures can be put in place to ensure end users appreciate the importance of engaging professional lubrica-tion services?The biggest problem I think is lack of knowl-

edge, which unfortunately also contributes

to slowing the growth of the lubricants

industry in general. Consumers need to

appreciate the fact that lubrication is a pro-

fessional service that should be undertaken

by trained personnel.

Ideally, every plant should have profes-

sional lubrication section to ensure indus-

trial efficiency and limit both downtime

losses and avoidable maintenance expenses.

6. Why should plants engage professional lubrication services?A lubricant is just not a lubricant. Vari-

ous designs of machinery and equipment

require unique lubricant specifications. It

takes skilled personnel to understand these

critical considerations in lubrication. In addi-

tion, the lubricants call for regular analysis to

establish when it is advisable to replace them

so as to ward off machinery breakdowns.

7. Are there suffi cient service personnel in the country to provide these services, or do we require additional investment towards training lubrication professionals on the local front?Currently, most of the training opportunities

and efforts come through established oil

multinationals. We still need more towards

promoting professional training in lubrica-

tion. But even then, I have observed that a

critical disconnect between training and the

industry’s realities. There is need for train-

ing to be informed by the experience of the

experts on the ground.

8. Do players in the indus-try have a role in bolstering the industry’s growth?Absolutely. They should organize regular

forums such as open days, at which indus-

trial experts can meet to exchange ideas

drawn from their experiences in instead of

seeking their help one at a time.

These platforms can provide fabulous

opportunities for service providers to show-

case new solutions to industry problems

and new products as well. More of such

interactions would go a long way in creating

a greater mutual impact.

9. What about learning institutions, what path should they take in developing lubrica-tion curricula that resonate with industry needs?

I think the most important consideration

should be seeking the input of experienced

industry experts so as to understand the

dynamics within the industry and the

emerging skill demands. That would be

instructive in fi lling the skill gaps.

10. What do you say to aspiring lubrication profession-als?I encourage them to come on board. With

the country’s plan to industrialize, there

would be numerous opportunities for them.

They should also be aware that the

availability of lubrication professionals

will increase the demand for them in the

industry. .


W O R DL A S T

consumption, usually in older cars. It would

appear that the only way to do this is to

thicken the oil. The thicker the oil the higher

the fuel consumption.

The big question for aftermarket additives is

that if they can perform as well as it is claimed

they do, then why are the car manufacturers

not advising their consumers to use these

products in their engines? This puts doubt

on whether it is advisable for users to add

aftermarket additives to their oil because of

the belief of enhanced effi ciency and vehicle

performance.

In developed nations, numerous law suits

have also been fi led against aftermarket addi-

tives manufacturers for misleading market-

ing and advertisement.

Additionally, a test done by the US Army

Mobility Equipment Research and Develop-

ment Command on effectiveness of some

leading brands of aftermarket additives found

out that they did little to improve detergency

or dispersant qualities of the engine oil, while

some actually created potential problems in

the areas of foaming and thickening of the oil.

A good quality lubricant is like a chemi-

cal soup with very specifi c characteristics to

which adding additional ingredients will not

make it more effective or improve its perfor-

mance. .

Whenever the term additive is used, it

may be understood to mean either

those additives used by oil compa-

nies in the blending of lubricants or those that

can be bought off the shelf to be added into an

already-blended lubricant, typically known as

aftermarket additives.

To blend additives into the base oil during

lubricant production, prior scientifi c research

must have been conducted to ensure the addi-

tives do not react adversely with each other

and the base oil, and also that the desired

performance of the fi nished lubricant will be

achieved.

Indeed, a lubricant cannot fulfi l its complex

roles in an engine in the absence of such addi-

tives as anti-wear and extreme pres¬sure for

friction and wear reduction, corrosion and

rust inhibitor, TBN to neutralise corrosive

acid, detergents to clean up any sludge and

varnish, dispersants to keep insoluble parti-

cles in suspension until the fi lter can remove

them and antioxidants to retard oil degrada-

tion due to oxidation.

The choice and proportion of the additives

to use depends on the desired performance

levels of the end product. Aftermarket addi-

tives differ from the additives mentioned

above in that they are meant to be added to

a fi nished lubricant ostensibly to improve its

performance.

The additives are produced to be used in

engine oil, transmission fluid, gear oil and

power steering fl uid. Most of the aftermarket

additives can be classifi ed into three catego-

ries: friction modifi ers, oil rejuvenators, and

oil consumption reducers.

Friction modifiers aftermarket additives

promise less wear during starting, improved

mileage, smoother engine operation, and

cooler running. The chemicals used to for-

mulate these additives will have an adverse

effect on the additives already contained in

the fi nished lubricant.

For instance, the detergent package in the

fi nished lubricant may view the aftermarket

friction modifi er as some form of contamina-

Aftermarket additives; do they work?

PERFORMANCE ENHANCERS

tion. By attacking the friction modifi er, the

detergent package becomes depleted and the

friction modifi er is at least partially neutral-

ized.

A good quality fi nished lubricant should be

blended to provide all-around performance.

So while it may be possible to improve the

performance in one area by using an after-

market additive, it is also possible that some

other good benefi ts of the fi nished lubricant

will be missed.

The second category, oil rejuvenators,

promises extended life from old oil, and new

life for tired engines. Marketers of such addi-

tives suggest that the base oil has not worn out

but that the additive package has been used

up. By replenishing these used up additives,

the assumption is that the lubricant will get

a new lease of life.

But one critical error in this assumption

is that it overlooks the reasons why oil is

drained at the end of its service life. Oil change

ensures that the contamination that has been

accumulating in the engine over time goes out

with the drained oil. Therefore by continu-

ously reusing the lubricant after adding the

rejuvenating additives, the engine is exposed

to the harmful effects of excessive contami-

nation levels in the oil. The fi nal category, oil

consumption reducers, promises reduced oil

By Yusuf Kipruto

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A Q U A L I T Y P R O D U C T F R O M O I L I B Y A

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Transcript of AFRICA’S RISING SYNTHETICS DEMAND...2 LUBEZINE MAGAZINE | September 2014 • SPECIAL EDITION...