SCOPE AND OBJECTIVES
Synthetic Lubricants, or synlubes, are tailored chemical entities with specific properties and functions to suit the lubrication needs in areas that cannot be tackled by the use of only mineral oils. Commercially significant synlubes are (a) Polyalphaolefins, (b) Dibasic acid esters, (c) Neopolyol esters, (d) Polyalkylene glycols, (e) Phosphate esters, (f) Dialkylbenzenes, (g) Polybutenes and (h) other speciality products with small volume markets, namely, silicate esters, silicones and fluorosilicones, polyphenyl ethers, chlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE), oligomers and perfluoropolyphenyl ethers (PFPE). Their unique performance properties are thermal and oxidative stability, low temperature fluidity, low volatility, high viscosity index, fire resistance, low corrosivity, hydrolytic stability, water solubility, minimal decomposition product deposits, and radiation resistance. These properties vary with the synlube and are suitably exploited in their applications.
In spite of a relatively low growth rate in the overall lube oil market and a current market of only 1.8% of this market by the synlubes, they are experiencing higher growth rates due to technology upgrades in the automotive and industrial sectors. As this report shows, the synlubes market is estimated to rise from the present global volume of 0.74 million metric tons per annum to 1.1 in 2003 and 1.78 in 2008. The dollar value of these markets are 2.23, 3.96, and 7.32 billion respectively in 1998, 2003, and 2008. Their share of the overall global lube oil market is thus projected to grow from the present level of 1.8% to 2.5% in 2003 and 3.7% by the year 2008.
This report is organized into five main chapters with an appendix as the sixth chapter. Over 200 pages long, it contains 25 figures and 51 tables.
The introductory chapter discusses the basic aspects of mineral oils, synlubes, synthetic greases, lubricating principles, viscosity relationships, international standards for lube oils and the current global oil scenario.
The second chapter identifies the chemical characteristics of the various types of synlubes.
The third chapter focuses attention on the relevant application areas for each synlube type in the industrial and automotive sectors.
The fourth chapter gives a detailed analysis of the current status of the global synlubes industry and highlights the structure of the industry, market participants, operating characteristics, government regulations, and trends and opportunities in the industrial triad.
The fifth chapter analyses the global markets for synlubes in the industrial triad.
The sixth and last chapter, which is an Appendix, provides a glossary of terms, definitions, and a brief picture of key organizations involved in the lubricating oil industry as a whole.
This report on Synthetic Lubricants, in conjunction with Hewin's recent report on Lubricating Oil Additives, completes the global picture for specialties in the area of lubrication.
SYNOPSIS
Lubrication is the means of overcoming resistance to movement-- friction. By doing so, humanity has advanced from the days of the chariot wheel to an era of space colonies. A lubricant is a material-- liquid, semiliquid, solid, or gas that improves the life of the moving parts by reducing friction. The majority of present-day lubricants are mineral oils derived from petroleum and mainly consisting of hydrocarbons. These are graded into several types based on the criteria of their viscosities, viscosity-temperature and viscosity-pressure relationships to suit their needs as automotive or industrial lubricants. The performance of these mineral oils, which are inexpensive and generally meet the requirements, has been improved by incorporating several desirable functional additives termed Lubricating Oil Additives (Refer to the recent report on this topic by Hewin International for detailed technical information and their global scenario).
In spite of upgrades, mineral oils have failed to meet the specifications prescribed for lubricants in several areas of modern technology. Increasing use of gas turbine engines in civilian aircraft, the associated high temperature at subsonic as well as supersonic speeds, military requirements in missile and weapon development, radiation hazards, and growing sophistication in the automotive and industrial segments have necessitated special classes of lubricants much superior to the mineral oils. These requirements have been met by Synthetic Lubricants, the topic of this report, which are used either as such or as blends with the mineral oil base stocks to suit the particular needs.
Synthetic Lubricants are tailored materials with specific properties and specific functions. Most of them are standard commercial products that have wider applications in areas other than lubrication technology. Synthetic lubricants of commercial significance are classified as (a) Polyalphaolefins, (b) Dibasic acid esters, (c) Neopolyol esters, (d) Polyalkylene glycols, (e) Phosphate esters, (f) Dialkylbenzenes, (g) Polybutenes and (h) other speciality products with minor markets, namely, silicate esters, silicones and fluorosilicones, polyphenyl ethers, chlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE) oligomers and perfluoropolyphenyl ethers (PFPE). Their unique performance properties include thermal and oxidative stability, low temperature fluidity, low volatility, high viscosity index, fire resistance, low corrosivity, hydrolytic stability, water solubility, minimal decomposition product deposits, and radiation resistance. These properties vary with the synlube and are suitably exploited in their applications. The synlubes are also used in formulating specialty greases by compounding with suitable fillers. As in the case of mineral oils, lubricating oil additives can be incorporated into them to boost up their performance.
Synlubes constitute a negligible percentage of the overall global lube oil market. However, in spite of their high cost, their performance capabilities are accelerating their growth. Global lube oil consumption in 1998 was of the order of 41.15 million metric tons per annum, projected to rise to 48.4 million metric tons per annum by the year 2008. Out of this, the estimated total synlubes global market in 1998 was only 1.8%, equivalent to 0.74 million metric tons per annum. Hewin's estimates show that during 1998-2003-2008 this will increase to 1.1 million metric tons per annum by the year 2003 and to 1.78 million metric tons per annum by the year 2008, at an average annual growth rate of 9.8% during 1998-2003 and 12.2% during 2003-2008. The value of this market will rise from $2.23 billion in 1998 to $3.96 billion in 2003 and $7.32 billion in 1998 with corresponding average annual growth rates of 15.6% and 16.9%. In spite of a slow growth rate in the overall global lube oil market during 1998-2003-2008, synlubes show a high growth rate potential with considerable business opportunities. Their share of the overall global lube oil market will rise from 1.8% in 1998 to 2.5% in 2003 and 3.7% in 2008.
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