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Construction and mining equipment are some of the businesses that use several heavy-load equipment required for regular lubrication with grease. Equipment Times looks at the market outlook, trends, environmental impact and challenges in the grease market for heavy machines.

Grease and lubricant is a friction-reducing film between moving objects and helps in reducing the heat generated. Lubricants perform functions such as transmitting forces, transporting foreign particles, and heating & cooling surfaces. Depending on the nature of lubricants, they are used to eliminate heat and wear debris, supply additives into the contact, transmit power, protect, and seal.

Growth in demand for lubricant & grease made from bio-based materials has left in shift in terms of raw materials. The demand for automotive oils and greases is expected to increase as the trade in automobiles and their replacement parts expands. The consumer cars segment is anticipated to grow, which is good for the automotive industry as a result of the significant economic recovery.

Grease is a solid or semisolid lubricant formed as a dispersion of thickening agents in a liquid lubricant. Grease generally consists of a soap emulsified with mineral or vegetable oil. The grease market is segmented by thickener (lithium-based, calcium-based, aluminum-based, polyurea, and other thickeners), end-user industry (power generation, automotive and other transportation, heavy equipment, food and beverage, metallurgy and metalworking, chemical manufacturing, and other end-user industries).

Processes…

Grease is manufactured through various processes with the help of pressure vessels or open cooking kettles under high temperature and pressure. Grease-making can be a long, energy-consuming, high-maintenance and multi-step process but new technologies have been developed to reduce as these processes to very much extent. Using the new lithium hydroxide dispersion technology to make simple and lithium-complex greases is a single-step process. In open kettle, lithium hydroxide dispersion could save the grease manufacturer 40 to 60 percent in time compared to a conventional process. Manufacturing of grease require raw materials such as mineral oils, a thickener and additives to reduce the friction and temperature between moving components. Finished Lubricant is a blend of base oils and additives. Base oil is a major constituent of any lubricant. Lubricants are formulated for variety of applications by selecting proper ‘base oils’ of required viscosity and additive packages by using hot blends and cold blends methods. By using bottle blends we can minimize the rework, manufacturing cycle time and correction during the manufacturing of lube oils

Growth drivers…

Key industries driving the rise in need for lubricant and grease include automotive, manufacturing, foods & beverages, and construction machines. The automotive industry utilizes grease in several car parts, such as CV joints, gear assemblies, and electrically operated windows, sunroofs, and seats. Numerous varieties of grease are used depending on component and temperature setting. Some of the most common ones are white grease, high-temperature wheel bearing grease, electronic grease, and chassis grease. Chassis grease, the most popular type of grease is used on suspension and steering joints of cars, high-temperature wheel bearing grease is used in hot, frictional places such as disc brakes and wheel bearings, electronic grease is used on electronic connections where heat cannot build up for safety and white grease, which is waterproof and non-toxic, is used on white-colored surfaces.

According to Allied Market Research, lubricant & grease is used to increase viscosity of gearbox as it is subjected to particularly harsh environmental conditions, such as extreme temperatures and potential corrosion from saltwater exposure. As a result, gearboxes withstand any effects that cold weather conditions may have on it. In addition, lubricant & grease with higher heat capacities than hydrocarbon oils enable the gearbox to transport and release more heat as required. Gearbox of a wind turbine must be regularly lubricated to maintain its lifespan. When wind turbines are situated in isolated areas, such as desert, where the entry of airborne dust and other types of abrasive particles might ultimately lead to failure of the entire system, such greasing systems provide excellent oil purity, which can be crucial. Owing to these factors, demand for the lubricant and grease market have increased tremendously.

The lubricant and grease market is segmented on the basis of type, application, and region. On the basis of type, the market is classified into heavy-duty engine oils (HDEO), passenger car motor oil (PCMO), gear oil, hydraulic fluids, turbine oils, greases, compressor oil, and others.

The right Grease…

Heavy equipment is subjected to a substantial amount of force, heat, and potential contaminations through their everyday practices. The best way to secure this investment is through your lubrication. Proper lubrication prevents the components of your machines from grinding against each other, causing damage that releases harmful contaminants into the system. There are a variety of greases on the market today, but how do you know which one is the right choice?

As proper greasing has become a more common practice, there has been a greater influx of grease options hitting the market. But, not all grease is created equally. It’s important to compare and contrast the different greases and their properties with your specific and unique needs.

Consider the Environment

The next aspect to consider is the environment that your equipment will be performing in. If your equipment is typically subjected to high temperatures, you will want to consider a high-temperature grease that has a specialized thickener. Thickeners are what help to create the grease’s viscosity, or their consistency. If a grease has a higher viscosity, this means it will be thicker in consistency. This thickness is what allows the grease to stay in place on the machine parts without dripping off in the excessive heat. But, if you find your equipment working in colder environments, you will want a grease that can stay liquid. This means you will want to find a grease that has less viscosity, allowing it to work in colder temperatures without freezing or clotting.

Other environmental factors to consider are wind and water. Excessive winds can pick up dirt, dust, and debris from nearby and deposit them directly onto your machinery. If your parts are not properly lubricated, these contaminants can get in and cause severe damage to your internal components. Whether freshwater or saltwater, damage from water can occur both naturally, such as through humidity or by being near an ocean, and through regular business practices, such as washing down the equipment.

Market outlook…

A positive outlook for the market is being produced by the global automobile industry’s significant growth. Ball joints, tie-rod ends, suspension, chassis, control arm-shafts, and U-joints are frequently lubricated with grease. Accordingly, the rise in demand for high-performance vehicles is promoting market expansion. Grease also prevents wear and tear on a number of auto parts, including switches, connections, wheel bearings, and gears, due to its stability and temperature tolerance. The development of bio-based and environment-friendly grease made from renewable, non-toxic ingredients with low sulphur levels is just one example of the many product advancements that are significantly boosting the expansion of the market.

In addition, the widespread adoption of high-performance grease in wind power plants to remove residue and ensure cleaner operations is positively impacting the market growth. Apart from this, the implementation of various government initiatives to encourage the utilization of bio-based grease and the increase in product demand in the manufacturing sector are anticipated to drive the grease market growth. The Off Highway Equipment Lubricants market is expected to register fluctuating growth trends in the long term, while inflation and supply chain concerns are expected to continue in 2023.

Shifting consumer preferences in a projected economic downturn scenario, amendments to industrial policies to align with growing environmental concerns, huge fluctuations in raw material costs triggered by prevailing geo-political tensions, and expected economic turbulences are noted as key challenges to be addressed by the Off Highway Equipment Lubricants industry players during the short and medium term forecast.

Off Highway Equipment Lubricants market players’ investments will be oriented towards acquiring new technologies, securing raw materials, efficient procurement/inventory, strengthening product portfolios, and leveraging capabilities to maintain growth during challenging times. The economic and social challenges are noted to be highly varying between different countries/markets and Off Highway Equipment Lubricants manufacturers and associated players are focused on country-specific strategies.

Crude oil prices fluctuating in one year are emerging to be a key concern for the Off Highway Equipment Lubricants market, as fuel and chemical prices are impacting many other segments.

Uneven recovery in different end markets and geographies is a key challenge in understanding and analyzing the Off Highway Equipment Lubricants market landscape.

Construction, manufacturing, and mining are some of the businesses that use several heavy-load equipment required for regular lubrication. Due to rising competition and increasing challenges in manual operations, the use of highly efficient technology is dynamic for the growth of all these industries. The growing cost of safety requirements and workforce is also expanding the demand for process automation. Hence, most companies are automating their operating systems, which is expected to drive the consumption of grease.

The growth of the grease market is restrained by many regulatory rules issued by different governing authorities. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) imposes rules to ensure that industries treated pollutants in their wastes to protect wastewater treatment plants. All these guidelines apply pressure on grease producers and forced them to invest in eco-friendly products. Furthermore, the factors such as equipment, exchange charges, fluctuation in development of self-lubricating and unfavorable accessibility of raw materials are projected to restrain the growth of the market during the forecast period.

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