Current Status of Biodegradable Lubricants - 2020s

Current Status of Biodegradable Lubricants - 2020s

In the 2020s, biodegradable lubricants are considered an important environmental technology worldwide. The EU is promoting the introduction of biodegradable lubricants to the market to prevent environmental pollution caused by the use of lubricants, and their market share is rapidly growing in countries such as Germany, France, and the Netherlands. The market share of biodegradable lubricants is rapidly expanding in countries such as Germany, France, and the Netherlands.

According to market data for 2022, the use of biodegradable lubricants in the European market is increasing by 15% per year, especially in the construction industry and agricultural machinery. Eco-Oil has confirmed that its newly developed lubricants reduce CO2 emissions by 40% compared to conventional mineral oil-based lubricants, and they also break down faster in the natural environment by about 50%.

Environmental regulations are also being tightened in the North American market. In California, new regulations on lubricants will be enforced from 2023, and the introduction of biodegradable lubricants is accelerating. In Japan, major companies such as Mitsubishi Chemical and ENEOS are focusing on the development and production of biodegradable lubricants, especially for use in forest logging operations and hydropower plant machinery. Mitsubishi Chemical's new product has a 20% longer service life than conventional products, contributing to reduced maintenance costs.

Furthermore, the share of biodegradable lubricants in the global market is expected to reach more than 30% of the total by 2025, and demand is growing rapidly, especially in environmentally conscious Western countries. This technology is becoming an important factor in supporting sustainable industrial activities in the future.