The fuel and lubricant additives industry journal from Infineum International Ltd

Environmental focus - At Infineum Trends 2008

This year's Infineum Trends presentations have completed their circuit of the globe from the first public showing in Detroit to the final venue in Bogota. With the theme of 'An Environment of New Opportunities' the aim of the presentations was to show that despite the challenges facing the automotive, lubricants, fuels and additives industries there are still new and promising opportunities to be pursued in these markets. Insight gives a roundup of the key messages presented in the fuels, heavy-duty diesel and passenger car lubricants sections.

Green talking OEMs - At Infineum Trends 2008

Exploring the latest in green engineering was high on the agenda at this year's Infineum Trends presentations. Insight presents a selection of the contributions from OEMs who shared some of their environmental technology developments with our audiences across the globe.

The best tool for the job - Component selection in a complex world

Insight is featuring a series of articles on the art and science behind Infineum's component development. In the first feature, the formulator's understanding of component attributes and interactions were likened to the skills of a master chef. The second feature takes a closer at the key component portfolio and compares the selection of the appropriate component to the way a chef will always select the right tool for the job he needs to carry out.

Optimising refinery economics

Refineries are under continual and increasing pressure to optimise profits, whilst at the same time producing cleaner fuels and meeting environmental limits, ensuring compliance with government regulations and dealing with the new and competitive fuels coming into the market. In this quest for refinery or terminal optimisation the use of cold flow fuel additives is one avenue that deserves further exploration. 

Shaping future oil formulations - The OM646 DE22LA test

The OM646 DE22LA engine test is the latest light–duty passenger car diesel engine test to be developed by the Co-ordinating European Council (CEC) for the performance testing of lubricating oils. Insight takes a look at why this test is needed and examines the test development progress.

Face to Face - GETRAG’s view of the growing DCT market

The balance of the global transmissions market has changed little in recent years, with four and five speed automatics being favoured in the US and Japan while other areas of Asia, EMEA and Latin America still prefer manual transmissions. However, as the quest for fuel economy intensifies this picture is bound to change, and in Europe it is dual clutch transmission technology that is forecast to grow. With this picture in mind Insight spoke to Dr Stephan Rinderknecht, Vice President of Research & Development at GETRAG Getriebe- und Zahnradfabrik, to explore his views on the future of this market. 

Hokkaido field trials confirm winter operability of biofuels

As the winter season approaches and refiners’ thoughts turn to fuel operability Insight takes a look at the rigorous annual fuels field trials carried out by Infineum in the sub-zero conditions of Japan’s north island. This year Infineum’s Japan Fuels Team worked together with a vehicle manufacturer to assess the low temperature performance of 5% rape seed methyl ester and 5% palm methyl ester compared with that of conventional diesel fuel in the latest common rail light-duty diesel vehicles.