Industry Issues: GF-4 development - The long and winding road
Insight first reported on development of the new ILSAC GF-4 specification and new PCMO specification development process in June 2001. Now over two years later, the specification with an original timetable of yearend 2002 has finally been agreed. Oils originally planned for Model Year (MY) 2004 vehicles will be available for MY 2005 when those vehicles come off the assembly line in mid 2004. If all goes well during the next few months, ILSAC GF-4 will be licensable from July 1 2004 and the starburst insignia will only define GF-4 oils after April 1 2005. Insight examines the reasons behind the development delays and explores the concerns of industry stakeholders around base stock availability.

Face to face: Richard Biggin on the re-engineering of the CEC
Richard Biggin last spoke to Insight in September 2000 when he took up the Presidency of the Co-ordinating European Council for the development of performance tests for transportation fuels, lubricants and other fluids (CEC). It was clear then that he relished the challenges ahead and he discussed his vision of a more effective organisation and plans for quite radical re-engineering of the somewhat outdated processes. Now, as his term of office comes to a close, Insight talks to him again to find out about the unprecedented changes that he has helped to bring about and his thoughts on the future.

Industry issues: New source of sulphonates for metalworking fluid formulations
Earlier this year Shell announced plans to close its naphthenic base oil plant in Martinez, California - the primary source of petroleum sulphonates for the North American metalworking industry. Their announcement sent reverberations through the industry and required formulators to identify alternative emulsifiers for their fluids. The closure went ahead as planned on August 31st, and Insight now takes a look at the consequential effects on the future of metalworking fluid formulations.

Industry issues: Picking a winner - tribological screening helps formulators choose the most effective components
As OEMs tackle the questions of improved fuel economy, extended component life, enhanced reliability and safety they are turning increasingly to the science of tribology for answers. Infineum tribologist, Rita Kaur, shares her thoughts on how bench test methods are helping to reduce hardware and lubricant development costs, and explains how assessing the performance of new materials and coatings under a number of tribological conditions with a variety of low friction lubricants, before carrying out expensive engine tests, can deliver worthwhile savings.

Industry issues: The regeneration gap - a new additive solution to diesel particulate filter regeneration
Ever tightening legislation enforced to limit emissions of substances considered harmful to our environment and human health are testament to the importance that legislators place on the subject. Future legislation is likely to tighten limits on permissible emissions of particulate matter from diesel vehicle exhausts still further and automotive OEMs are increasingly turning to aftertreatment devices to help them meet these evolving emissions standards. However engineering solutions are not without their problems, and OEMs and additive companies need to work closely to maximise hardware effectiveness. Insight reports on a new fuel-borne additive designed to improve diesel particulate filter regeneration is Infineum’s latest advanced hardware enabling technology.

Industry issues: Hardware developments drive fluid innovation
Engine technology is evolving increasingly rapidly owing to environmental demands and consumer needs, and these hardware developments are set to impact upon lubricant, base fluid and additive composition. Now it seems that the increased rate of hardware change is also challenging well established industry processes of lubricant specification development. Insight examines the potential consequences for the oil, automotive and additive industries.