Base Stock Trends an Infineum viewpoint
Recent man-made and natural disasters have caused governments around the globe to examine the security of their energy supply and at the same time to assess the efficiency of energy use; putting fuel economy improvements and the introduction of alternative fuels high on their agenda. What does this mean to the lubricants industry? It means there is a continuing need to develop sophisticated lubricants offering hardware durability and emissions system compatibility and a clear shift towards the use of high quality base stocks. Insight presents Infineums views on the OEM drivers and impact of GTL on the base stock market.

Infineum Trends in China and Japan
The Infineum Trends presentations in China and Japan continued the global Infineum Trends 2006 theme of tough times, smart solutions. And, from the data presented it is quite clear that these are tough times in this region. While growth in China may be creating unprecedented opportunities, expectations are not always matched in reality. In Japan, emissions reduction and fuel economy challenges require smart solutions to ensure that these challenges can be met and opportunities leveraged to maximum advantage. Insight takes a closer look at the information presented in these fast changing markets.

The need to formulate high performance gas engine oils in Europe
In Europe, the performance of todays gas engine oils (GEOs) is predominantly dictated by the requirements of the manufacturers and their customers. Current challenges in GEO formulation are based around demands for extended service intervals, which means the oils need longer drain intervals, and for improved engine reliability. However, there are a new set of challenges on the horizon which are being driven by tightening environmental standards and base oil trends. Insight examines these challenges and looks at the ways in which additive technology can help to overcome them.

Injector protection Advanced additives for future hardware
Continued legislative pressure to reduce emissions from diesel vehicles has led OEMs to explore how improvements to fuel injection hardware might help them meet these new challenging emissions limits. However increased temperatures and pressures at the injector tip are affecting the rate and nature of deposit formation. This means higher quality diesel fuels with advanced additive systems will be needed to ensure emissions performance is maintained and power loss is avoided. Insight looks at a new bench engine test to study deposit formation and the needs of Euro V engines.

An increasingly complex picture in the European biodiesel market
Trucks play a vital role in the economy of Latin America, carrying approximately 50% of the region’s freight. Mexico and Brazil, with 70% of vehicle population, are the biggest markets with 3.1 million trucks, 2.7 million of which are in Brazil. To better understand the issues and concerns of these truck users Infineum commissioned a market intelligence study in Brazil and Mexico to analyse information concerning the use and choice of both heavy-duty engine oils and transmission fluids and to gather data on truck use and maintenance. Insight uncovers some of the highlights of this interesting study.

Niche lubricants - Emerging North American passenger car oil markets
Until recently rape-seed methyl ester accounted for majority of the biodiesel produced in Europe. However, refiners are increasingly seeking cheaper sources of biofuel which have significantly different attributes and which could affect the properties of the resulting fuel. Insight examines European policy changes, summarises how some of the European countries are implementing biodiesel and highlights the potential for winter operability issues for biodiesel from sources other than rape-seed methyl ester.