africa’s rising synthetics demand...2 lubezine magazine | september 2014 • special edition...
TRANSCRIPT
1 September 2014 • SPECIAL EDITION | LUBEZINE MAGAZINE
VOL .10 • SEPTEMBER 2014 | SPECIAL EDITION
W W W . L U B E S A F R I C A . C O M
Nigeria holds first lubricants summit P.5Lubes market growth revs up EA mold making servicesLubes market growth revs up EA mold making services P.24
PLUS: AFTERMARKET ADDITIVES; DO THEY WORK? P.28
MAIN FEATURE
AFRICA’S RISING SYNTHETICS DEMAND
2 LUBEZINE MAGAZINE | September 2014 • SPECIAL EDITION
Inside Front Cover
Full Page Ad
1 September 2014 • SPECIAL EDITION | LUBEZINE MAGAZINE
CONTENTSN E W S • I N D U S T R Y U P D AT E • N E W P R O D U C T S • T E C H N O LO GY • C O M M E N TA R Y
SEPTEMBER 2014 SPECIAL EDITION
W W W . L U B E S A F R I C A . C O M
VOL 10
10 | BASE OIL FEATURE
Global lubricant base stock supply:
what does the future hold?
14 | IN OTHER WORLDS
Q8Oils upgrades field service
technician services with the launch
of QCare
Shell Launches Helix Ultra with Shell
PurePlus Technology
19 | COUNTRY FEATURE
Emerging middle class, new
generation cars drive Nigeria’s
synthetic oil market
22 | GLOBAL MARKET FEATURE
Synthetic lubes driven much by OEM
demands to reach 18% of total global
lube demand by 2023
INSIDE REGULARS
24 LUBES MARKET GROWTH REVS UP EA MOLD MAKING SERVICES
AFRICA’S RISING SYNTHETICS DEMAND — KENYAN PERSPECTIVE
16 | COVER FEATURE
The benefits of synthetic lubricants outweigh their mineral-based counterparts
TECHNOLOGY FEATURE
12
2 | Editor’s Desk4-6 | The Market Report ENOC lubricant’s 6th business meet in Uganda signals interest in Africa JX Nippon’s sets off ice in S. Africa Nigeria holds first lubricants summit amid calls for local lube lab WearCheck launches wind turbines condition monitoring kit7 | Lubes Diary8 | Frequently Asked
Questions
26 | Why professional industrial lubrication should be prioritized
28 | Aftermarket additives; do they work?
R22 444-4
2 LUBEZINE MAGAZINE | September 2014 • SPECIAL EDITION
EDITORIAL
W elcome to the 10th edition of Lubezine, a
remarkable milestone in our continuing
efforts to bring you unparalleled coverage
of signifi cant global technological develop-
ments, and their bearing on our regional
lubricants industry here in Africa. Lubezine
is Africa’s most comprehensive lubricants industry magazine. Its
journey started in late 2010, when lube professionals driven by the
desire to share best practices acquired over the years, got together
and over numerous cups of coffee charted the way forward for what
has now become known as Lubezine magazine.
The magazine has remained true to its founders’ primary
objective: “To disseminate lube technology and market dynamics
news to professionals handling lubricants and by so doing grow the
lubricants and lubrication standards in Africa.”
This quarter, our cover feature prominently highlights the
spiraling demand for synthetic lubrication solutions, particularly
within the automobile industry. To achieve a sharper picture of
this considerable lubricants consumption trend shift, we focus
on Nigeria and Kenya, getting fi rst-hand perspectives of dealers in
motor oil, market experts and lubrication professionals. From the
observations of these professionals, the swing from mineral oil
based lubricants to synthetic lubricants is evident.
Our technology feature provides insight into the benefi ts of using
synthetic lubricants as opposed to mineral based lubricants. With
the launches of new synthetic product brands by various marketing
companies, there is no doubt that the demand for the products will
continue to increase.
This edition’s market report carries highlights from across
the region, including ENOC Lubricants 6th Business Meet held
in Uganda in May and Nigeria’s fi rst lubricant summit. We also
report about the JX Nippon, Japan’s largest refi ner setting shop in
Johannesburg, South Africa.
We welcome on board our new columnist, Yusuf Kipruto who
sets the ball rolling by taking a critical look at aftermarket lubricant
additives, interrogating their supposed effi cacy in imparting desir-
able attributes to already-formulated lubricants.
As we celebrate this landmark, we thank our 3000- plus subscrib-
ers and loyal advertisers for their unyielding support, which has
been instructive in our ongoing journey devoted to keeping track of
the lubricants industry. .Welcome
Lubezine is 10 Editions old!
EDITOR’SDESKVOL 10 • SEPTEMBER 2014 | SPECIAL EDITION
JX Nippon’s sets off ice in S. AfricaTurn to P.4
Publisher:Lubes Africa Ltd
Editor: Nyakundi H Nyagaka
Design & Layout: Andrew Muchira
Contributors: Chrispin Mbogo
Nyakundi H Nyagaka
Olaolu Olusuna
James Wakiru
Geeta Agashe
Yusuf Kipruto
Photography: Bettercom Media services
Lubezine library
Art Direction: Zeus Media Ltd
Advertising & Subscription:
www.lubesafrica.com
Subscriptions: Lubezine is free to qualified subscribers who are involved in the lubricants industry as manufacturer’s end-users, marketers and suppliers to the oil industry. Lubezine is a quarterly publication of Lubes Africa Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be produced or transmitted in any form including photocopy or any storage and retrieval system without prior written permission from the publishers.
1 SPECIAL EDITION | LUBEZINE MAGAZINE
VOL .10 • SEPTEMBER 2014 | SPECIAL EDITION
W W W . L U B E S A F R I C A . C O M
Nigeria holds first lubricants summit P.5Lubes market growth revs up EA mold making services P.24
PLUS: AFTERMARKET ADDITIVES; DO THEY WORK? P.28
MAIN FEATURE
AFRICA’S RISING SYNTHETICS DEMAND
The magazine has remained true to its founders’ primary objective: “To disseminate lube technology and market dynamics news to professionals handling lubricants and by so doing grow the lubricants and lubrication standards in Africa.”
Joseph Ndung’uOUR COVER IMAGE:Thika Super Highway-Kenya’s response to an increasing national fleet.
3 September 2014 • SPECIAL EDITION | LUBEZINE MAGAZINE
LUBEZINE?
lubricants capitallubricants p
WHO IS READING
If you wish to communicate to any of the above groups about your products, Lubezine offers the most direct link
The readership includes:Lubezine is a free magazine to qualified subscribers
To advertise, contact Lubezine sales team at:
Focusing on Africa’s lubrication needs
Issue 002October-Decemberwww.lubesafrica.com
Aviation Lubricants
Gulf Energy Launches Lubricants
BEARING FAILURE and lubrication
Focusing on Africa’s lubrication needs
Issue 002October-Decemberwww.lubesafrica.com
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Gulf Energy Launches Lubricants
BEARING FAILURE and lubrication
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Inside Kenya’s lubricants capital
The basics of oil additives P.16
Inssiide Kennyya’sya’sKirinyaga
RoadPLUS: THE MARKET REPORT P.4
NOT FOR SALE
W W W E A F R I C A C O M
FOCUS ONF
A guide to buying lubricants P.10NEW LOOK!
4 LUBEZINE MAGAZINE | September 2014 • SPECIAL EDITION
ENOC Lubricants Mar-
keting, the lubricants
business division
of ENOC Marketing LLC
partnered with City Lubes –
Uganda to host its 6th Business
Meet in Uganda in May, 2014.
The event was presided over by
Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi,
Vice President of Uganda and
Gerald Ssendaula, Chairman of
the Private Sector Foundation
Uganda.
The meet explored
untapped business opportuni-
ties in the operating market
and sought to demonstrate
the strength of the thriving
ENOC Lubricants business.
The theme of the Business
Meet, ‘Looking Beyond,’ put
into consideration future
market fl uctuations and
shared insights into the kind
of integrated, well-organised
and dedicated approach the
THEMARKETREPORTNEWS • BRIEFING • NEW PRODUCTS • TECHNOLOGY
BUSINESS MEET
ENOC lubricant’s 6th business meet in Uganda signals interest in Africa
Frequently Asked Questions See also P.8
company was seeking to take.
In addition to the introduc-
tion of new marine and
industry segments coupled
with marketing support
programmes such as Key
Account Management,
the summit/conference
also addressed innovative
services in retailing. Marketing
strategy was also a signifi cant
point of discussion, with its
integral role in the successful
functioning of new business
initiatives.
“ENOC is committed to
provide unparalleled value for
customers in Africa by offering
the right products that suit
their needs, manufactured to
the highest quality and techni-
cal specifi cations. Through
our support to the event, we
are not only demonstrating
our market leadership in the
lubricants business, but also
EXPANS ION
JX Nippon – Japan’s largest refiner – has established its presence in Africa, opening its first off ice in Johan-nesburg, South Africa in what appears to be an entry programme to exploit the region’s growing lubricants and fuels demand.
According to the company’s recent findings, the demand for lubricating oil will rise by 2 per cent annu-ally until 2020, prompting comprehensive marketing research to sustain its business in Africa.
The firm refines and distributes petroleum and petrochemical products and hopes to partner with African oil companies in the upstream and downstream.
‘While the company seeks more partnership in Africa, its level of investment would be determined after extensive market research’, Takahiro Nomura, GM of the Johannesburg off ice told the Business Day in April.
It has already partnered with South Africa’s Sasol in the fuel-from-gas business.
“In 10 years we want to succeed in the South African business,” the company’s Senior Vice-President Yasuji Araki said. By opening its first representative off ice in South Africa, the company hopes to take advantage of Africa’s burgeoning economy by growing its footprint across the continent. .
JX Nippon’s sets office in S. Africa
our commitment to develop
products that meet chang-
ing industry needs.” Zaid
Alqufaidi, ENOC‘s Managing
Director (Marketing) said in
the build up to the conference.
The Business Meet served
as a platform where business
updates in sales, marketing,
technology and fi nance were
shared. ENOC Lubricants,
one of the largest producers
of fi nished lubricants in the
region, boasts a presence
in over 55 countries in the
Middle East, Africa, South East
Asia, the Indian Subcontinent
and CIS countries.
Previously, ENOC hosted
a strategy workshop held
in Sudan with the aid and
support of Dal Group, one of
their partners, to highlight
the importance of operations
within the African market.
The workshop brought
together a group of bright
business minds, and brought
up crucial discussions on inno-
vative ways of marketing, risk
assessment and challenges, as
well as solutions to overcome
them. The successful launch
of the ENOC Lubricant brand
and the technical seminar held
in Egypt further exemplifi ed
the company’s interest in the
African market. .
Uganda vice president Edward Kiwanuka receives an award from Enocs managing director (marketing) Zaid Alqufaidi.
5 September 2014 • SPECIAL EDITION | LUBEZINE MAGAZINE
Increased competition among lubricant marketers has fueled constant product
improvement through quality and visual appeal through new package designs.
Turn to P.25
Nigerian lubricants
manufacturers have
held the country’s
maiden lubricants summit,
with a call for the establish-
ment of a national lubricants
testing laboratory in the
country.
The two-day August summit,
held at the Oriental Hotel in
Lagos, was themed: ‘Nigeria’s Lubricant Market: Opportuni-ties and Challenges’ and was
organized in partnership with
the Department of Petroleum
Resources (DPR).
It sought ways to promote
understanding and apprecia-
tion of the nation’s hydrocar-
bon reserves, potential and
investment opportunities, and
the nation’s oil and gas indus-
try, with emphasis on the rel-
evant statutory requirements.
During the opening ceremony,
Lubcon Group Chairman
Engineer Jani Ibrahim called for
the elimination of artifi cial and
avoidable distortions hinder-
ing the growth of the lube
industry, making a case for the
speedy passage of the country’s
Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB)
pending in the Nigerian
Parliament.
“We should embrace a global
mind-set to avoid lagging
behind. Nigeria should add
value to her hydrocarbon
reserves. Our citizens must not
suffer due to poor policies. The
Nigerian market is huge. There
is need to ensure the right atten-
tion is paid to it,” Ibrahim said.
Calling on the Lubricants
Producers Association of
LUBES CONFERENCE
Nigeria (LUPAN) and the Major
Oil Marketers Association of
Nigeria (MOMAN) to increase
interest in the sector, the
summit encouraged synergy
between the two associations to
boost the industry.
“We are glad that it is a
success. We are glad at the
attendance and look forward
to a bigger and robust summit
that will be supported by all
next year,” LUBCON Managing
Director Mr. Taiye Williams
told Lubezine on the sidelines
of the summit, adding that the
establishment of a national
lubricants testing laboratory
was possible.
“We’ll be using the labora-
tory to test base oils coming
into the country and lubricants
produced locally. We have
agreed on one point – qual-
ity is what we must strive to
achieve,” he added.
LUPAN Secretary-General,
Emeka Obidike lauded the
summit, noting that his
organization was impressed
and happy. ‘It’s a gathering of
who-is-who in the lubricants
industry in Nigeria. It can only
get better next year,” he said.
On the recent deal with the
Nigerian Government on the
fi ve per cent tariff for base oil
importation, Obidike said it
indicated a better future for
the industry, suggesting the
government should provide all
necessary documentation to
enable his members enjoy the
tariff fully.
“We’ve been granted a
reduction in tariff for base oils
after much intervention to fi ve
per cent. However, the issue of
tariffs has not been concluded,”
the LUPAN chief executive said,
calling for as high as 35 percent
tariff for imported fi nished
lubricants to protect he local
producers.
Meanwhile, the indiscrimi-
nate importation of base oils
causing excess base oils in
the system than needed for
blending was discussed. This
excess base oils are then sold
as lubricants to unsuspect-
ing customers. Other issues
included the importation of
substandard API grades of
lubricants from Dubai and
United Arab Emirates.
“Most of them are used oils
with little refi ning and packag-
ing, coming at lower prices,”
a panelist, Femi Ogunleye of
ASCON Oil, said. ‘there is need
to adopt a refi ning model in
the country to get the used
oils back and subject them to
quality refi ning so as to seal off
fake and substandard oils’, he
said. .
Nigeria holds first lubricants summit amid calls for local lube lab
Mr. YomiBadejo-Okusanya, CEO/MD CMC Connect (Perception Managers)- Conveners (l) Engr. Aminu Jalal, DG National Automotive Council, Engr. Jani Ibrahim, Chairman, Lubcon Group,Mr. A.M. Mudei, Department of Petroleum Resources, Osarumwense Chris O. Managing Director, NNPC Retail Ltd
6 LUBEZINE MAGAZINE | September 2014 • SPECIAL EDITION
Wind power is the
world’s largest
growing energy
source thanks to advancing
wind turbine technology. Wind
turbines have the potential to
generate enough power to meet
the growing need for electric-
ity, and simultaneously reduce
consumption of water and
emission of pollutants such as
carbon dioxide.
So says senior diagnostician
Steven Lara-Lee Lumley, who
is based at condition monitor-
ing specialists WearCheck’s
Pinetown-based head offi ce.
‘However,’ she notes, ‘barriers
to widespread acceptance of
wind turbines include their
reliability, costs of operation and
maintenance of the equipment
relative to alternative means of
power generation.’
WearCheck recently devel-
oped and launched a condition
monitoring kit which is designed
specifi cally for wind turbines,
aiming to boost their reliability
and reduce operating costs.
Lumley explains, ‘Reliability,
in its mechanical sense, can be
defi ned as the probability of a
device performing its functions
adequately for the period of time
intended under the operating
conditions encountered.
‘The estimated life span of
wind turbines is about 20 years,
compared to conventional steam
turbine generator units that have
averaged 40 years. The failure
rate of wind turbines is about
three times higher than that of
conventional generators. There-
fore, reliability is essential to the
success of wind energy systems
and this requires appropriate
condition monitoring.’
In the wind power arena,
achieving reliability is simple in
theory, yet diffi cult to achieve
as, historically, wind turbine
gearbox failures have plagued
the industry. The wind turbine
gearbox is arguably the most
critical component in terms of
high failure rates and down time.
Lumley continues, ‘Premature
gearbox failures are a leading
maintenance cost driver that
can substantially lower the
profi t margin of a wind turbine
operation as they typically
result in component replace-
ment. WearCheck’s new wind
power condition monitoring
programme aims to reverse
this situation using a managed
maintenance approach.
‘Oil analysis, along with other
condition monitoring tools,
offers the potential to effectively
manage gearbox maintenance by
detecting early damage as well
as tracking the severity of the
damage. It is for this reason that
most OEMs recommend routine
oil analysis as part of an effective
maintenance strategy.
WearCheck’s wind turbine test
kit includes the following tests,
among others:
For the detection of abnormal
wear: spectrometric analysis:
ferrous debris monitoring,
microscopic particle examina-
tion (MPE) and analytical
ferrography.
For the detection of oil
degradation: kinematic viscosity
(KV), viscosity index (VI), Fourier
Transform Infrared (FTIR), total
acid number (TAN) and remain-
ing useful life (RULER).
There is also a range of tests
to detect oil contamination
by, for example, air, water,
additives, wear particles, dirt
and other solids. ‘The goal of
an effective wind turbine oil
analysis program is to increase
the reliability and availability of
the various wind systems, while
minimising maintenance costs
associated with oil change outs,
labour, repairs and downtime.
This is achieved by monitor-
ing the lubricant condition,
contaminants and mechanical
wear,’ says Lumley. .
OIL ANALYS IS
THEMARKETREPORTNEWS • BRIEFING • NEW PRODUCTS • TECHNOLOGY
WearCheck launches wind turbines condition monitoring kit
Lumley explains, ‘Reliability, in its mechanical sense, can be defined as the probability of a device performing its functions adequately for the period of time intended under the operating conditions encountered.
Maintenance engineers
service a wind turbine.
Steven Lara-Lee Lumley
7 September 2014 • SPECIAL EDITION | LUBEZINE MAGAZINE
Event: The 2014 European Base Oils & Lubricants Summit Date: 17 - 18 September, 2014Location: Alicante, SpainContact: [email protected]
Event: ICIS 11th Middle Eastern Base Oils & Lubricants ConferenceDate: 13-15 October, 2014Venue: InterContinental Festival City, Dubai, UAEContact: [email protected]
Designing & Implementing a Practical Lubrication Management Program
Date: London, UK. 22nd – 23rd October 2014Budapest, Hungary. 3rd – 4th December 2014Contact : contactus @ syncomedia.com
Event: the 3rd ICIS African Base Oils & Lubricants ConferenceDate: 5th - 6th November, 2014Venue: Cape Town, South AfricaContact: [email protected]
Event: 7th International Symposium of Lubricants, Additives and Fluids Date: 23 October 2014Venue: Sao Paulo, BrazilContact: +55 11 5908 4043
Environmental management is co-ordinated by the National Environmental
Management Environment (NEMA) in Kenya.
THE LUBES DIARY
DUBAI, UAE — ICIS 11th Middle Eastern Base Oils &
Lubricants Conference
8 LUBEZINE MAGAZINE | September 2014 • SPECIAL EDITION
We encourage technical questions from our readers. Lubezine’s team of lubricants specialist will be on hand to answer your queries. E-mail: [email protected]
Some OEMs permit extended drain intervals when high quality, high performance synthentix
FAQSThe benefits of synthetic lubricants
See also P.12
Can I re-use brake fluid already opened after some time?One of the properties of
brake fl uid is that it is hygro-
scopic. This means it has a high affi nity of
attracting water. Therefore, once opened
from a can, it is advisable to use all of it.
Otherwise it will attract water from the
atmosphere and dissolve it. This explains
why most brake fl uids are sold in small
containers of 200ml or 250ml. When the
brake fl uid is contaminated with water,
you can have ineffi cient braking system,
corrosion of the metallic parts of the
brake system leading to jamming brakes
or brake failures.
Why should I change the transmission fluid?Transmission fl uid in
modern vehicles is stressed
greatly. Modern transmission fl uid is
used in various ways, among them to
apply clutches, apply hydraulic force,
lubricate and cool all internal parts all
at the same time. The fl uid is always
being pumped through small orifi ces and
pipework in the system which stresses
degradation process, making it necessary
to set both a mileage and time limit with
oil change intervals. Motor oil and vehicle
manufacturers have developed general
recommendations for the maximum
amount of time or miles that the oil can be
used.
What is considered “normal” oil consump-tion?Due to various reasons such
as oil volatility, leakages
and engine condition, some lubricant
will be consumed between oil changes,
necessitating the need for toping up. What
may be considered normal oil consump-
tion for one vehicle may be excessive for
another. As a rule, the more miles and wear
accumulated on an engine, the more oil
that engine consumes. Typically, one litre
of oil within 5,000 kilometre is normal, but
it is best to confi rm oil consumption limits
with the vehicle manufacturer. .
the oil and causes the oil to be ineffi cient.
Furthermore, heat generated by the system
breaks down the transmission fl uid and
oxidises the fl uid. This causes the fl uid to
lose its effectiveness thus making an oil
change necessary after a given duration.
Why is there a miles and time limit with respect to oil change intervals?Irrespective of how well
motor oil is formulated, it won’t last
forever. As the miles accumulate, motor
oil begins to degrade and lose its lubricat-
ing effectiveness while the additives are
depleted. Severe-service driving conditions
accelerate this process. Even with little
mileage on the oil, oxidation, gases and
moisture take their toll and start the
Frequently Asked
Questions
9 September 2014 • SPECIAL EDITION | LUBEZINE MAGAZINE
PROTECTINGAND CONNECTING
www.multisolgroup.comEmail [email protected]
Tel +230 468 1709 / 1723
Contact Rakesh Roopnarain
Address Multisol Mauritius Ltd, The Catalyst Building, Ebene, Mauritius
From speciality chemicals to high performance lubricants, Multisol is a global leader in the formulation and distribution of high value hydrocarbon additives and base oils.
From supply chain planning and procurement
to warehousing and logistics, customers throughout
Africa rely upon us to deliver a complete service
including latest technology products, optimising
formulations that enhance performance and
provide the innovative solutions for
a successful future.
10 LUBEZINE MAGAZINE | September 2014 • SPECIAL EDITION
A c o m p l e x
combination of
factors is driv-
ing finished lubricant
demand, which in turn
impacts the develop-
ment of the basestock
market. The lubricant
basestock market
is primarily being
influenced by lubri-
cant demand growth,
lubricant blend shifts, and changing supply
composition.
Estimated at 39 million tons in 2013, the
global demand for finished lubricants has
grown nearly 1 per cent from the previous
year. Automotive lubricants account for 53 per
cent of the total demand, industrial products
comprise 44 per cent of the total demand, and
greases account for the balance. Asia is the
epicenter of the global finished lubricants
industry, accounting for over 40 per cent of
the global demand.
Moreover, the North American market
accounts for approximately half of what Asia
consumes at over 20% of the market; mean-
while, Europe (17%), Africa (8%), and South
America (7%) consume the remaining shares
of the market.
Global GDP growth Infl uenced by economic growth and various
socio-economic and quality improvements,
lubricant demand has been tracking global
GDP growth, but with much wider swings in
growth rates, especially during 2009 and 2010.
While the demand numbers have come close
to the pre-recession level, a number of changes
have taken place in the market over the last fi ve
years.
For instance, North America and Europe
combined demand share has since declined
from about 50 per cent to 40 per cent. This owes
in part to accelerated GDP growth in Asian,
African, Middle Eastern, and South American
markets and in part due to growing industri-
alization and high population in Asia-Pacifi c
FUTURE TRENDS
F E A T U R EB A S E O I L S
products which further erodes the market
for Group I. The growing shortage of high
viscosity basestocks is also hidden behind this
supply-demand balance picture.
Profound impact on formulations An emphasis on fuel economy and a modern-
izing vehicle park will drive an increase in the
use of lighter viscosity PCMOs. To ensure that
these low viscosity oils continue to provide
long drain intervals, they need to be made
more durable in terms of oxidative and thermal
stability. This is pointing to the need for low
volatility oils as well as the use of very high
viscosity index oils to compensate for loss of
viscosity in viscosity-modified oils under
extended usage.
The combination of low viscosity for fuel
economy, low volatility, and high viscosity
index (VI) for longer life drives the usage of
Group III basestocks. Asia had initially domi-
nated the supply of Group III; however, the bal-
ance has shifted in recent years and is projected
By Geeta Agashe
Global lubricant base stock supply: what does the future hold?
An emphasis on fuel economy and modernizing vehicle park will drive an increase in the use of lighter viscosity PCMOs
markets increasing demand for lubricants
similar in strength to the combined European
and North American markets.
Furthermore, established North American
and European markets grew at a much slower
pace due to their use of higher quality lubri-
cants including synthetics, which resulted
in the extension of drain intervals, as well as
better maintenance and housekeeping prac-
tices.
Global basestock demand (including Group
IV and V basestock) in 2013 is estimated at over
695 KBD, where Group I is still the largest API
category; however, its share in overall demand
has declined from about 70 per cent to just over
50 per cent. The share of Group II/III in overall
supply has grown from 22 per cent to 40 per
cent between 2004 and 2012, and the supply of
Group II and Group III basestocks far exceeds
their technical need.
As a result, the suppliers of these basestocks
are promoting their use in applications where
there is no need for such high-performance
11 September 2014 • SPECIAL EDITION | LUBEZINE MAGAZINE
Q8Oils upgrades field service technician services
See also
P.14to be near equal across all markets in 2022. The
global placement of this Group III production
will have profound impact on formulations
used in each region.
Due to the current large Group II/III over-
supply position, lubricant performance is no
longer a good predictor of basestock demand
as multiple formulation routes exist for a given
specifi cation.
Suppliers’ behavior will influence the
basestock blends posing the questions such
as when and where Group I supply decrease
will occur in exchange increasing Group II /III
supply and where will new plants place their
product. Along with nearly 10 million tons
of new Group II/III capacity planned, the list
of suppliers is also expanding. The shrinking
Group I supply shifts formulations to Group
II/III irrespective of technical needs. With the
optimized Group II/III basestocks exceeding
“technical” need, formulations available in a
region are used to avoid arbitrage.
Which “extended applications” will suppli-
ers pursue and how blenders - basestock con-
sumers - behave will infl uence the blends used
in the market. Suppliers need to understand
what is important to each segment of blenders
and fi nd the best way to provide them while
keeping costs down, as well as understand the
blender’s thought process and if they are infl u-
enced by trends in the market. The basestock
providers will hence need to identify and meet
those needs. Furthermore, the basestock that
is selected by early innovators can experience
a virtuous cycle of increased availability and
applicability leading to increased usage.
Inadequate returns on capitalAs planned basestock capacity additions imply
continued low levels of effective capacity uti-
lization for an extended period, the basestock
industry needs to prepare for substantial capac-
ity rationalization over this decade. Longer
term excess of capacity is leading to accelerated
shutdowns of Group I plants, but also some
high cost/marginal Group II/III closures, and
a continued extended period of low margins.
The return to usual pre-2012 conditions will
only be possible when margins recover to
reinvestment levels in the late 2010s.
Globally, Group I and naphthenic bases-
tocks are tightly balanced. While the overall
supply is in slight surplus, there is huge defi cit
for heavier grades, especially brightstocks.
Group II/II+ are in signifi cant surplus, which
is driving the substitution of Group I in various
automotive and industrial applications.
As a consequence of these factors, Kline
believes that the basestock industry needs
to be thinking of a future very different from
the past, refocusing on demand growth and
uncommitted new capacity. As overcapacity
has essentially destroyed inter-Group qual-
ity premiums, substantial reformulation of
traditional Group I technical demand will
continue for low and medium viscosity grades.
To maximize production of heavy neutrals and
brightstocks, radical revamping of remaining
Group I capacity may occur. This future may
see repositioning of ownership in basestock
players due to the prospect of inadequate
returns on capital over the rest of the decade. .Geeta Agashe is the Senior Vice President of Energy (Kline & Company)
Hass Petroleum (K) Ltd - Kenya, Headquarters
Hass Plaza, Lower Hill Road
P.O. Box 76337-00508, Nairobi
Tel: +254 20 2711587/ 8/90/ 91
ISDN: 2760000
Wireless: 020 2355064/ 5
Cell: +254 736 495999 | Fax: +254 20 2711598/ 613
Email: [email protected]
Hass Petroleum - Tanzania
Vijibweni, Kigamboni
P.O. Box 78341, Dar es Salaam
Tel:+255 222 82 0285/7/9
Cell: +255 736 807662 | Fax: +255 222 820284
Email:[email protected]
Hass Petroleum - Uganda
Nalukulongo, Kampala along Masaka Road
P.O. Box 28294, Kampala
Tel:+256 41 4273292, 4273312, 4273387,414273411
Cell: +256 717200600
Fax: +256 041 4273412
Email: [email protected]
Hass Petroleum - South Sudan
Hass Gas Station Atlabara, next to Juba University
P.O. Box 144, Juba South Sudan
Tel:+ 211 955 010801
Email:[email protected]
Hass Petroleum - Rwanda
Paul VI Avenue, Kiyovu
P.O. Box 411, Kigali
Tel: +250 786890758
Cell: +250 788302059
Email:[email protected]
Hass Petroleum - D. R. Congo
1598 Avenue Kasavubu, commune Lubumbashi
Tel:+243 815 677 772/0/1/4/9
Lubumbashi, D. R. Congo
Email: [email protected]
DIESEL ENGINE OIL
12 LUBEZINE MAGAZINE | September 2014 • SPECIAL EDITION
F E A T U R ET E C H N O L O G Y
SYNTHET ICS
The benefits of synthetic lubricants outweigh their mineral-based counterparts
Synthetic oils are made from more advanced refi ning processes, and are of a higher purity and quality than conventional mineral oils. The higher refi nery level not only removes more impurities from the crude oil, it enables individual molecules in the oil to be tailored to the demands of modern engines. These
customized molecules provide higher levels of protection and performance.
Synthetic lubricants contain uniform molecules which ensure less friction while the conventional lubricants have inconsistent molecules hence more friction. Despite synthetics being substantially more expensive than conventional lubricants, their advantages are numerous.
James has been working in the lubricants industry in the areas of sales, marketing and technical support.
By James Wakiru
mber 2014 • SPECIAL EDITION
13 September 2014 • SPECIAL EDITION | LUBEZINE MAGAZINE
Increased engine protectionSynthetic oils have been developed specifi -
cally to cope with extreme conditions found
within modern engines. They are much
more free-fl owing than traditional mineral
oils. The greatest benefit is considerably
increased engine protection.
When an engine is fi rst started, a mineral
oil takes some time to circulate, allowing
friction between un- lubricated parts to
cause wear.
In contrast, a synthetic lubricant starts
circulating straight away, protecting every
moving part within the engine.
Emerging middle class and knowledge on engine
oils are driving up use of synthetic oils in Nigeria
See also
P.22Improved fuel consumption During the start up of an engine, the normal
mineral oils have a higher viscosity. This
makes it difficult to be pumped easily,
causing the engine to be less effi cient. More
fuel is used to generate power to heat and
pump the oil to effect lubrication. Synthet-
ics, however, have high viscosity index
hence low viscosity and are easily pumped,
and the engine reaches peak operating effi -
ciency very fast.
Environmental protection Synthetic oils are known to cleaner and
friendlier to the environment – helping in
cutting engine emissions as compared to
conventional mineral oils. Conventional
mineral oils also contain greater amounts
of such contaminants as sulfur, reactive and
unstable hydrocarbons, including other
undesirable contaminants that cannot
be completely removed by conventional
methods in the refi nery of crude oil.
Good Low Temperature Flow PerformanceUnlike mineral-based oils, synthetics fl ow
easily at low temperatures due to excellent
pour point. Pour point is a measure of a
lubricant’s ability to fl ow at low tempera-
tures. Synthetic lubricants are formulated
to reduce internal friction, which results
in outstanding fl ow characteristics at low
temperatures. As a result, components
are lubricated more effectively, especially
during a cold start-up where a signifi cant
amount of component wear can take place
due to unavailability of the lubricant at the
right place.
Viscosity StabilitySynthetics exhibit high viscosity indices. A
higher viscosity index gives a nearly con-
stant viscosity across a wide temperature
range. It also translates to excellent low
temperature performance.
Meanwhile, synthetic lubricants resist
reduction of viscosity at high temperatures,
which results to excellent protection over
the wide operating temperature range.
Improved Oxidation and Thermal StabilityImproved oxidation stability and thermal
stability in synthetic lubricants results in
less viscosity increase with age and better
deposit control. This leads to extended
drain intervals due to less frequent oil
changes.
Wear ProtectionSynthetic lubricants are able to provide
excellent fluid film protection against
metal to metal contact and retain their
strength even at high temperatures and
loading. They also offer higher shear sta-
bility. In essence synthetic lubricants offer
exemplary protection against scuffing, pit-
ting and fatigue wear.
Lower oil consumptionSynthetics are formulated in a way that
they have very low volatility. Volatility
is the ease of a product to evaporate. Due
to this property, it translates to lower oil
consumption or waste.
Longer oil lifeSynthetic oils have superior oxidation
stability. Oxidation produces deposits and
sludges, degrading an oil’s composition
and performance, which leads to increase
in viscosity, frequent oil changes and
increased corrosion.
Synthetic oils are pure and lack mol-
ecules that lead to oil degradation and
oxidation. These translate to use of the oil
for a much longer interval.
Improved savings and profitsSynthetic lubricants optimize equipment
performance and reduce maintenance
costs. When one analyses the effect of
increased drain interval, use of less engine
consumables, lower downtime, the net
gains outweigh the usage hence greater
savings. .
Synthetic lubricants contain uniform molecules which ensure less friction while convectional lubricants have inconsistent molecules hence more friction
Automobile oils at a
lubes retail store.
14 LUBEZINE MAGAZINE | September 2014 • SPECIAL EDITION
I N O T H E R W O R L D SB Y Y U S U F K I P R U T O
CONDIT ION MONITORING
Regular monitoring can limit unscheduled costs by reducing man and machine down time to routine service stops, and saving unscheduled maintenance.
Q8Oils upgrades field service technician services with the launch of QCare
When Q8Oils launched its Field
Service Technician (FST) service
at the MACH exhibition in 1992 it
was an instant hit with visitors and was so
well received in the wider industry that, at
METCUT 1994, it received the Metalwork-
ing Production ‘Technical Innovation’
award.
Now, more than twenty years on, Q8Oils
marks the success of FST’s unrivalled
service to the UK manufacturing industry
with the launch of QCare – a major upgrade
of the system that monitors the condition of
Q8Oils metalworking fl uids and lubricants
in a wide range of applications such as
turning, cutting and grinding.
The new QCare service uses a network-
enabled, tablet-based system with a bespoke
‘app’ that enables Q8Oils fi eld service
technicians to monitor fl uids, complete
their audits and deliver results while still
on site. In addition, because FSTs are highly
trained metalworking experts, when work-
ing with machine operators they may also
be able to identify problems as their checks
are completed, and help to rectify them.
A visual inspection and a variety of
tests are conducted to ensure Q8Oils
products are performing correctly. These
include standard fl uid parameters such
as concentration, pH and microbiological
content. They also offer advice that can help
A sample Q-Care user interface and report window.
15 September 2014 • SPECIAL EDITION | LUBEZINE MAGAZINE
Shell Lubricants has announced the worldwide launch of Shell Helix Ultra with Shell PurePlus Technology, the company’s most advanced fully synthetic motor oil ever, featuring base oil designed from it’s Pearl GTL plant in Qatar.
Shell PurePlus Technology converts natural gas into a crystal-clear base oil with virtually none of the impurities found in crude oil for use in premium, synthetic lubricants. This base oil is then blended with additives to create the company’s most advanced fully synthetic motor oil ever; Shell Helix Ultra with PurePlus Technology.
Speaking at the global launch event at the Shell Technology Centre Amsterdam – where the revolutionary Shell PurePlus Technology is designed, Selda Gunsel, Vice President of Downstream Global Commer-cial Technology at Shell said: “Shell Helix Ultra with PurePlus Technology represents a huge step forward. The way motor oils are produced has not changed for decades – now,
we have unveiled a new motor oil that surpasses our previous lubricant technology, which is why we are confident when we say that no other engine oil keeps your engine closer to factory clean. Shell Helix Ultra with revolutionary PurePlus Technology harnesses the power of gas to produce the next generation motor oils, bringing together over 40 years of research and development in one new oil.”
Shell PurePlus Technol-ogy base oils have consist-ently lower viscosity at cold temperatures (-25° to -40C°) so they start lubricating an engine straight away from a cold start. These properties translate into important performance benefits for the engine, includ-ing improved cleaning, wear protection, and fuel economy.
“Starting with natural gas, Shell scientists are able to engineer the molecules to create a base oil with specific properties and characteristics. When this base oil is then combined with the carefully crafted additive package, it
creates superior motor oils that off er a level of cleaning and protection not possible with lesser base oils,” said Robert Sutherland, Shell Helix Global Technology Manager. “Shell PurePlus Technology has also paved the way for the next generation of motor oils by off ering possibilities for new viscosity grades. So far, this has enabled us to create the Shell Helix Ultra 0W-range, and we are already working on future developments.”
Shell Helix Ultra with PurePlus Technology meets the most modern industry specifications and has received approvals from leading vehicle and engine manufacturers across the world.
Shell PurePlus Technology
base oils are produced at the Pearl GTL plant in Qatar; a partnership between Shell and Qatar Petroleum. This facility is the world’s largest gas-to-liquids facility, and can produce approximately one million tonnes of base oils per year.
The new Shell Helix Ultra with PurePlus Technology range is currently being rolled out to markets worldwide. In Africa, Egypt was amongst the first countries to launch the product in early May
In April of this year, Pennzoil, a Shell company, announced the introduction of Pennzoil Platinum® and Pennzoil Ultra® Platinum Full Synthetic motor oils also blended with these same Shell GTL base oils. .Source: OEM/Lube news
Shell Launches Helix Ultra with Shell PurePlus Technology
customers increase coolant life and opti-
mise performance resulting in improved
machining processes and reduced machine
down time.
Customers can also logon to the QCare
system using their own tablet or desktop
computer, and view a full historical report
at any time, and share it with colleagues.
In the past twenty years the FST system
has moved from a ‘paper’ system requiring
everything to be written down and multiple
copies made, to an advanced and automated
‘traffi c-light’ system that identifi es condi-
tions as Green (normal), Amber (caution
e.g. adjust fl uid concentration) or Red
(immediate action required).
As direct sales manager Jeremy Dineen
explains: “The new QCare system is very
much easier to operate, fully-automated
and therefore much quicker, and will create
a graphic chart to show a full history of
any individual machine.” He adds that the
new system is very compact, much more
user-friendly on site, and allows data to be
distributed instantly.
The combination of Q8Oils’
highly-trained fi eld service technicians
and modern tablet technology enables
customers to streamline their metalwork-
ing operation by maintaining machine
performance and saving signifi cant costs.
Regular monitoring can limit unscheduled
costs by reducing man and machine down
time to routine service stops, and saving
unscheduled maintenance. .Source: PRWeb
16 LUBEZINE MAGAZINE | September 2014 • SPECIAL EDITION
F E A T U R EC O V E R
SYNTHET ICS DEMAND
Africa’s rising synthetics demand — Kenyan perspective
De s i r o u s o f
better per-
f o r m a n c e ,
l o t s o f
motorists in Africa
today are warming
up to synthetically
formulated motor
oil in what is a signifi -
cant break from the
accustomed mineral-
oil-based lubricants,
whose use was erstwhile dominant in the
African region, and among many other
developing countries globally.
Given that the cost of synthetic lubri-
cants is relatively higher, they previously
remained the preserve of elite consumers,
owing to their greater buying power. Low
levels of awareness also made a contribution
to the slow uptake of the oils. But the popu-
larity of synthetic lubricants has ascended
lately, partly on account of a rise in the level
of incomes and awareness among the conti-
nent’s middle-class – which constitute the
bulk of motorists in the region.
The expanding middle class population
within the African market has caused the
number of synthetic lubricants users to
go up in tandem with regional economic
growth.
Performance excellenceIt is evident that motorists here have lately
become keener on quality, and increas-
ingly settle on products that guarantee
performance excellence, successfully pit-
ting synthetic oil against its mineral-based
counterpart.
Compared to conventional mineral oil-
based motor oils, synthetic based products
offer higher performance levels, what with
their characteristic lower NOACK volatility
levels that guarantees lower oil consump-
tion.
Additionally the ability for these oils to
run for more kilometers before they require
drain is appealing to more motorists as it
means less visits to the garage for oil change.
In fact, in Europe, with synthetic based oil,
drain intervals for diesel trucks is above
100,000 kilometers and 15,000 kilometers
for petrol engines. And the region is curi-
ously giving in to the allure.
According to Mr. Andrew Njoroge, work-
shop manager at Marshals East Africa, syn-
thetic oils made entry into the Kenyan local
motor service industry in 2005 – or therea-
bouts. However, their popularity and uptake
have remained low over the years, with only
a handful of clients having knowledge about
them. But this is changing fast due to new
market dynamics that have caused a signifi -
cant change in purchasing trends.
‘’Consumer awareness has increased fol-
lowing the rise in end users information
levels in Kenya. Unlike the past, when cli-
ents left the type of lubricant to use in their
motor vehicles to the discretion of their
service personnel, these days most of them
are very particular on the type of lubricant
they desire to be used in their motor engines.
Many of them recommend fully synthetic
motor oil, ‘’ Mr. Njoroge, who has over 17
years of experience in the motor service
industry told Lubezine magazine in an
interview.
‘From my observation, consumer choices
are increasingly getting influenced by
knowledge, although there are others who
specify particular motor oil on account of
By Nyakundi H Nyagaka
17 September 2014 • SPECIAL EDITION | LUBEZINE MAGAZINE
Rising popularity of synthetic oils has been motivated by motor vehicle manufacturers
prescription as required type of lubricant
their level of enthusiasm in motoring. Some,
especially the younger generation, demand
synthetic oil because they know it is the
latest technology in lubrication, and they
are keen to be associated with it’, he added.
Long drainage intervalsAccording to him, the increasing appeal
for synthetic lubricants is not entirely on
account of purchasing power. More clients
lately, he observed, request for fully synthet-
ic lubricants to avoid getting back to service
centers frequently for oil replacement and
regular servicing.
‘Seven out of ten of the clients I attend to
invariably insist on synthetic lubricants.
I think more people are now aware that
synthetic lubricants have drain intervals
that are as long as twice when compared to
those of mineral oil based lubricants. They
are also knowledgeable that synthetic oils
have a high performance level’, he said.
While Mr. Njoroge’s observation was
consistent in most of the service centres we
visited, experts and marketers have observed
that a global environmental angle is infl u-
encing trends that can be attributed to the
splashing of synthentic oils into the region’s
market. New approaches to lubrication are
being undertaken in developed countries
leading to an increased usage of synthetic
lubricants.
With more Original Equipment Manufac-
turers (OEM’s) also recommending synthet-
ic oils, the currently increasing pressure in
the fl ow of synthentic oil into Africa can also
be pointed back to the changing equipment
manufacturers’ lubrication preferences as
well.
Appreciating the pro-synthentic con-
sumer trend as a reckonable reality in Africa,
Mr. Mohammed L. Baraka , who has decades
of experience in the lubricants industry both
locally and globally, says the highly refi ned
lubricants are not yet as popular as they
should be regionally.
Mr. Baraka – Managing Director of Syn-
ergy Lubricants Limited, based in Kenya – is
convinced the relatively rising popularity
of synthentic oils here has been motivated
particularly by motor vehicle manufactur-
ers’ prescriptions of synthetic as the required
type of lubricants to be used, creating a larger
market for them. He recommends the use of
the oils, but puts a technical rider to their
reputation for effi ciency.
‘Synthentic oils are characteristically
thin. It is important to note on the outset
that just because a lubricant is formulated
synthetically does not always guarantee that
it is of a superior quality to mineral-based
oil. To ensure the quality is up to the desired
level, there has to be an appropriate addi-
tive technology and expertise to maintain
suitable film thickness (viscosity), which
will avoid metal-to-metal contact’, he says.
He further adds that OEM’s are designing
engines requiring synthentic oil in line with
environmental regulations in the developed
world.
‘In developed countries, synthentic oils
are in fact the preferred class of lubricants,
largely due to regulations initiated by envi-
ronmentalists. Synthentic oils have a longer
drain interval, why they are now encouraged
to guard against unnecessary environmental
pollution.
Environmental concerns‘Synthetic oils also increase fuel effi ciency
in comparison to mineral-based oils, reduc-
ing fuel consumption. In recommending
synthentic oil, environmentalists know
that excessive use of fossil fuels raises envi-
ronmental pollution considerably’ he told
Lubezine magazine in a recent interview.
In some parts of Africa, motor oil quality
standards are so unimplemented and unen-
forced that they raise critical environmental
concerns. In Kenya, for example, the mini-
mum petrol engine and diesel engine speci-
fi cation are API SF and API CD respectively.
These classes of lubricants are not only of
very low quality, but they also pose a threat
to the environment owing to their very short
drainage periods.
”Even with these low standard product
thresholds, some products available in the
market are of much lower quality as they are
made from recycled base oils. It is for this
reason we should set standards based on
drain interval and not obsolete API specifi -
cations for which we don’t have means to
measure compliance. Once we start focusing
on long drains and the resulting benefi t to
the economy due to lower lubrication and
maintenance costs, protection of environ-
ment and the need to save fuel, the demand
for synthetic lubricants will without doubt
increase’ said Mr. Baraka.
He also emphasized that for extended
Porsche showroom in Kenya. With such
models on Kenyan roads , synthetic oil
demand is on the rise.
18 LUBEZINE MAGAZINE | September 2014 • SPECIAL EDITION
drains to be achieved, proper maintenance
practices must be adhered to. ‘The filters
used must be of standard quality. The sulfur
content in our diesel should also be reduced
from current 500 parts per million to 10
parts per million as is the case in developed
countries to make it possible to use a class
of high quality oils that demand less sulfur
in fuels’, he told us .
Mr. James Wakiru, who has a long his-
tory with lubricants, also agrees that Africa
is increasingly embracing synthetic oils. He
however advises end users to use the oil only
because it performs better rather than for its
longer drainage interval, because operating
conditions here in Africa cannot sustain
long oil change intervals typical in the more
developed countries.
“In developed countries there are no harsh
environmental conditions as there are in
Africa. There are factors to consider such
as high levels of dust in most parts of Africa
which can ingress into the engine and cause
a lot of wear. The motoring habits here are
also different and they tend to cause more
strain on the engines. With these factors, if
long drainage intervals are allowed, the well-
being of the engine will be compromised
to a great extent. This is the reason why I
would recommend that consumers should
not double the drainage interval prescribed
for synthetic oil, unless their vehicles’ air
fi ltration is proper and other consumables
such as oil fi lters are of high quality’, Mr.
Wakiru said.
Besides increasing consumer awareness,
within the African region, as is indeed the
case in most developing countries, the
number of motorists is also increasing and
with it the demand for lubricants.
According to a February, 2014 report
by Be Forward, among leading Japanese
car exporters, Africa is among the largest
markets for established brands such as
Toyota today, ahead of the United States
of America, Europe, China and India. For
instance, Nigeria is the largest car buyer in
Africa, with 70,000 purchases annually. On
the same note, South Africa has the largest
car number per capita, with one in every fi ve
people owning a motor vehicle, providing a
huge market for lubricants and other atten-
dant services.
The driving factors for the ballooning
number of motor vehicles in Africa include
growing population and urbanization; fast
growing economies and rising economic
levels; cheap imports of used vehicles; and
consumer tastes and global trends. This
trajectory is expected to continue soaring
since census projections point to further
population growth in coming years.
While the foregoing bode well for motor
vehicle dealers, lubricants also have a rosy
future in the region, with the increasing
popularity of synthetic lubricants providing
a fresh market edge for marketers. With the
rising level of incomes here, coupled with
expanding knowledge of motoring among
consumers, preferences are changing as
consumers become more inclined to quality
than buyers for mere utility.
However, there are challenges in the
Kenyan market, among them the fact that
these lubricants are in some cases not read-
ily available as compared to their mineral
oil based counterparts. This can partly be
explained by the fact that the country does
not have a synthetic-oil manufacturing facil-
ity, and so relies entirely on importation of
fi nished products.
‘Whenever we make orders for the semi-
synthetic range of the motor oil, they are
readily available, but for the fully synthetic
oil we sometimes miss the orders, making it
necessary to do a reorder. We are not sure if
this owes to a high demand over-stripping
supply or whether it is because the deliveries
to the outlets are slow,’ observes Njoroge.
‘The demand for synthetic oil is bound to
increase going forward because the major-
ity of those purchasing vehicles today are
the young people, who are tech-savvy and
do a lot of research on latest motor vehicle
service trends’, he says.
Local productionLocal refining of Synthetic base oils can
signifi cantly reduce the cost of the oils and
increase their demand further at a progres-
sive expense of inferior lubricants.
‘African Governments should think about
setting up a synthetic lubricants base oils
refi nery jointly. Given that individual coun-
tries in Africa do not currently have demand
volumes that can justify a refi nery in, say
each country, an alliance is feasible. Our
countries should come together and put up
a refi nery in partnership with international
base oil producers.
The regional countries would guarantee
markets for the plant. We have the natural
gas and we can build gas to liquid (GTL)
plant. This would go a long way in boosting
the production of the lubricants’, says Mr.
Baraka, noting that most of the base oils
being used locally are imported from mul-
tinationals at higher costs.
Sensitizing the publicAsked to comment on the synthentic oil
market in Africa, Mr. Baraka said: ‘While it
is true that the demand for synthentic lubri-
cants is rising, one of the main reasons why
synthentic lubricants are still expensive
is because, the volumes formulators are
importing are low and, as such, make it an
expensive affair as opposed to if they were
importing in larger volumes.
If we continue sensitizing the public
about the importance of using synthentic
oils, they will come to appreciate that chang-
ing oil now and again is expensive in the
long run, and harmful to the environment.
They will then not mind embracing qual-
ity. That will effectively increase demand
volumes and reduce importation and retail
costs as well’
As for the costs, Mr. Wakiru observes
that the price of synthetic oil has reduced
drastically. He says the oil is not expensive
as many people would want to think since
it protects the engine effectively and has a
long drain interval. With this, consumers
can avoid costly engine failures and run for
more kilometers before they require drain.
‘Synthetic oil used to be four to fi ve times
more expensive than mineral based oils. But
these days it is 40 to 70 per cent higher. Con-
sidering that the oil is the best for the engine
and that it has a longer drainage interval,
synthetic oil should not be regarded as
expensive’, he says. .
F E A T U R EC O V E R
“The demand for synthetic oil is bound to increase going forward because most buyers are young people who are tech-savvy and do a lot of research on latest motor vehicle service trends”
19 September 2014 • SPECIAL EDITION | LUBEZINE MAGAZINE 19September 2014 • SPECIAL EDITION | LUBEZINE MAGAZINE
Synthetic lubes driven much by OEM demands to
reach 18% of total global Lube Demand by 2023 P.22
See story
By Olaolu Olusina
An emerging middle class is without doubt driving the presently discernible
rise in the demand for synthetic oils in Nigeria’s lubricants market and within most parts of West Africa as well.
With more incomes at their disposal, especially among exotic and high-end automobile owners, consumers in this emerging class – who include a sprouting class of aff luent business people – are no longer going for anything cheap, particularly when it comes to making decisions on the type of oils they use for their vehicles.
The World Bank defines the emerging middle class in Africa as people whose earnings range between $2 and $20 a day. This range of income earners has widened across the various countries of West Africa. With more money to spend, the Bretton Woods institution projects that by the year 2060, Africa’s middle class is expected to grow from 355 million (34 percent of the continent’s population) to 1.1 billion (42 per cent) of the continent’s population).
And with Nigeria off icially becoming the largest economy in Africa following the rebasing of its GDP, expected to grow at 6.75 per cent a year; and Ghana becoming more buoyant with her oil, and Sierra Leone currently rated as the fastest growing economy in West Africa, observers of the emerging trend in the lubes market in the continent are optimistic that this growth will also translate into a major leap in the synthetic oil
market. This, they believe, will not
only reflect in the automobiles sector but also in the industrial sector, especially with the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) taking the lead in recommending quality synthetic oils for their customers.
Olumide Okusanya is the Managing Director of Auto Select Corp, a Lagos-based marketer of American lubricants. He listed the driving force on the increasing demand for synthetic oil in the country to include more awareness on the part of the consumers.
“Consumers are now better aware of the right oil to use for their automobiles and industrial engines than before,” he said. This, according to him, is because manufacturers of new generation cars and the OEMs now off er recommendations on the type of oil to be used for their products.
“You don’t expect somebody who bought a high-end car to go and use substandard engine oil for it,” he added, attributing the increasing demand to the emerg-ing middle class with more money to spend on new generation cars and other high-end vehicles.
“The emerging middle class is made of better educated men and women who are well-informed and more knowledgeable. They don’t go for cheap cars like you find in the grey import market. They are able to make a choice on the right oil to use for their vehicles,” he said. He also noted that the market is also driven by adequate supply to meet the increasing demand.
On the future of the market,
Okusanya said: “The future is very promising as there is no going back on synthetics. The technolo-gy of new generation cars requires high-end oils such as synthetics. The demand right now is very right and is supporting supplies. It can only continue to be better and investment in the area of synthetic oil looks very promising.”
However, Jane Opara, a lubri-cants specialist who oversees the Industrial Lubricants department at Eterna Oil, a major blender in Nigeria, sees the trend diff erently.
“What we are witnessing is in line with globalization,” she said, adding that “Everybody is moving towards synthetic oil because it performs better and off ers higher protection to vehicles because of the way it is formulated.” Opara said though synthetic oils are more expensive, they off er better performance to engines in terms of durability.
Eterna Oil, according to her, is responding to the demands in the synthetic market by off ering the Castro Eterna synthetic oil, which is an imported product. She insisted that there is no facility for producing synthetic oil in Nigeria for now.
According to Opara, OEMs are also moving towards this trend as marketers continue to create more awareness by educating the customers on the right choice to make.
And for the automobile sector, she said the driving force in the synthetic oil market are the owners of high-end and exotic luxury vehicles and not the middle class.
But Lubcon’s Managing Director Mr. Taiye Williams disagrees with Opara, saying Lubcon has the facility to produce synthetic oil and was the first indigenous blender to manufacture synthetic oil in Nigeria.
“In the last few years, we’ve seen the growth of synthetic oil. But in Nigeria, most of the synthetics are imported. Though some people felt it was not possible to produce synthetic oil in Nigeria, Lubcon was the first to do it with our RUGGEDELITE and I think A-Z (another local blender) also came up with their own,” Williams said.
He listed the factors responsible for the growth of the market, including the availability of new cars on Nigerian roads, a new breed of educated and enlightened consumers, who are now into auto care and service business.
He suggested that the emerging middle class as well as the infor-mational and education initiatives being provided by lube blenders to mechanics are, according to him, now manifesting.
“The new breed of auto care stations is coming up and their owners are enlightened people who are able to recommend the right type of oil to use for motor-ists. With time, this class will send out the uninformed mechanics out of market if the mechanics refuse to go along with the trend,” he said.
For the OEMs, Williams said “They have their own developers who work with some local blend-ers who blend for them on behalf of the OEMs,” describing the trend as a good development. .
Emerging middle class, new generation cars drive Nigeria’s synthetic oil market
SYNTHET ICS DEMAND
20 LUBEZINE MAGAZINE | September 2014 • SPECIAL EDITION
1 January-March 2012 | LUBEZINE MAGAZINE 111January-Maanunuaryuary-Muary-M-MarcMarchMarchMarchchJ 20201012 12 2010012122 |||| LUBLUBLUBEZINEBEZINBEZINE ME MMAGAAGAMAGAMAGALUBBEZI E AUB MLUB MMLUBBE ZIZINZZINZINENENENENEINEINENEZINZZINZ NNEZIIINZII
Inside Kenya’s lubricants capital
The basics of oil additives P.16
Inside Kenya’sInside Ken a’sKirinyagayyyyyyyyyyyyy g
RoadPLUS: THE MARKET REPORT P.4
VOL .3 • JANUARY-MARCH 2012
NOT FOR SALE
W W W . L U B E S A F R I C A . C O M
FOCUS ON
A guide to buying lubricants P.10NEW LOOK!
1 July-September 2012 | LUBEZINE MAGAZINE
PLUS: THE MARKET REPORT P.4
VOL .4 • JULY-SEPTEMBER 2012
NOT FOR SALE
W W W . L U B E S A F R I C A . C O M
New trend in lubricants packaging P.20Consumer choices lubricants survey P.18
A guide to oil analysis
Improving plant maintenance
condition monitoring
MAIN FEATURE
through
1 November 2012-January 2013 | LUBEZINE MAGAZINE
PLUS: THE MARKET REPORT P.4
VOL .5 • NOVEMBER 2012-JANUARY 2013
EAST AFRICA EDITION
W W W . L U B E S A F R I C A . C O M
Overview of lubrication equipment business P.20The essence of plant realibility training P.18
The Return ofMAIN FEATURE
MultinationalBrands
1 February-April 2013 | LUBEZINE MAGAZINE
PLUS: H1 FOOD GRADE LUBRICANTS P.14
VOL .6 • FEBRUARY-APRIL 2013
EAST AFRICA EDITION
W W W . L U B E S A F R I C A . C O M
Kenya Shell rebrands into Vivo Energy P.4Synthetic technology — All you need to know P.12
MAIN FEATURE
SILICONEngine enemy
number one1 May-July 2013 | LUBEZINE MAGAZINE
PLUS: ENI BRAND RETURNS TO EAST AFRICA P.4
VOL .7 • MAY-JULY 2013
W W W . L U B E S A F R I C A . C O M
Lubrication in the food and beverage industry P.4Focus on Pan African lubes brands P.26
PLUS
USED OIL AS FUEL FOR GLASS WORKS IN KENYA
MAIN FEATURE
CEMENT PLANT LUBRICATION
“Lubezine is exactly what our market needed. A magazine that contains articles on current issues affecting lubricant consumers as well as the science of lubrication as an engineering field. Readers
get a chance to learn from industry leaders and experts who contribute
to the magazine and are ever willing to share their knowledge with
the readers, I being one of them. It is a must read magazine for all
maintenance and plant engineers.
Crispin MbogoDROPLEX INDUSTRIALwww.droplex.com
LUBE
ZIN
E IS
EDIT
ION
S OL
D!
20 LUBEZINE MAGAZINE | September-November 2014
10
21 September 2014 • SPECIAL EDITION | LUBEZINE MAGAZINE
1 November 2013-January 2014 | LUBEZINE MAGAZINE
VOL .8 • NOVEMBER 2013-JANUARY 2014
W W W . L U B E S A F R I C A . C O M
Mitumba lubricants, an environmental catastrophy P.10Conversations on Viscometrics P.24
PLUS: WEARCHECK OPENS LAB IN MOZAMBIQUE P.5
MAIN FEATURE
OIL ANALYSIS IN TRANSFORMER MAINTENANCE
Over time, I have been a constant reader of Lubezine magazine. In
addition to the informative articles and detailed lubricant trends analysis,
of particular interest being the FAQS sections and the environmental
issues related to lubricants, Lubezine magazine has provided a good
marketing platform for my business. With affordable advertising space costs
and a wide readership, it definitely is a good marketing base. Lubezine
magazine boasts of an assured clarity in content and up to date information
making it the number one source of Lubricants trends in Africa. Kudos Lubes Africa, keep up the good work.
Jane WachukaSenior Consultant
GRUN WORLD SERVICES
Lubezine has not only been a source of information to me as a marketer but also a wellspring of knowledge to better my career as a lubricants sales professional. It is a must-read
for every person working within the lubricants industry.
Richard NdakaLUBRICANTS ENGINEER
“Lubezine is currently the only authoritative and informative lubes
magazine for current information on the lubricants petroleum sector in
the east Africa region”
Richard MugambiGULF ENERGY (K) LTD
Lubezine as the first regular industry publication on lubricants has achieved
very high professional standards in terms of content and quality in the short time
it has been in circulation. It features highly relevant contribution from reputed
local and foreign lubrication experts and provides an unparalleled forum
for highlighting lubrication issues and business trends in Africa and beyond.
Billy MugerLUBRICANTS PROFESSIONAL- KENYA
1
SPECIAL EDITION | LUBEZINE MAGAZINE
VOL .10 • SEPTEMBER 2014 | SPECIAL EDITION
W W W . L U B E S A F R I C A . C O M
Nigeria holds first lubricants summit P.5
Lubes market growth revs up EA mold making services P.24
PLUS: AFTERMARKET ADDITIVES; DO THEY WORK? P.28
MAIN FEATURE
AFRICA’S RISING SYNTHETICS DEMAND
1 February-April 2014 | LUBEZINE MAGAZINE
VOL .9 • FEBRUARY-APRIL 2014
W W W . L U B E S A F R I C A . C O M
Designing motorcycle oils to meet OEMs and end user needs P.10Developing effective plant lubrication programme P.24
PLUS: HYRAX OIL ENTERS UGANDAN MARKET P.4
MAIN FEATURE
Africa’s geothermal energy fuels new lubes demand
21 September-November 2014 | LUBEZINE MAGAZINE
22 LUBEZINE MAGAZINE | September 2014 • SPECIAL EDITION
F E A T U R ET E C H N O L O G Y
the decision on part of the customer on the
brand to be used from a set of OEM approved
brands, said Morvey.
Morvey stated that global synthetic lubri-
cant demand is dependent on a number of
regulatory, technological, marketing, and
economic drivers. OEM recommendations is
one of the most important drivers for increased
demand of synthetic lubricants in both the
automotive and industrial segments. This was
most evident in the United States, beginning
in 2010 and 2011, as conversion to synthetics
was carried out in PCEO by Toyota, Honda, and
General Motors in both factory and service fi ll
applications.
In 2013, HDEO accounts for 75% of total
commercial fi nished lubricant demand with
Asia-Pacifi c being the leading region. Overall
synthetic lubricant penetration in the com-
mercial market is only 6% though. Penetration
by major countries varies signifi cantly with
Europe at 24%, followed by North America
at only 4% (synthetic and semi-synthetic).
Germany has the highest overall synthetic
penetration due to the large portion of the
market using semi-synthetic products. Most
commonly used synthetic products include
gear oils and transmission fl uids due to long
drain intervals and extended warranty pro-
grams from select driveline equipment OEMs.
Regarding industrial lubricants, Morvey
pointed out that the Asia-Pacific region has
continued to capture industrial activity, and
its share of industrial lubricants has grown
from 37% in 2008 to 43% in 2013. This trend
is slowing down and may stop, according to
Morvey. Overall synthetic penetration in the
industrial market is 12%. Penetration by major
countries varies signifi cantly with Europe at
17%, followed by North America at 16% and
Asia Pacifi c at 9%. Germany has the highest
overall synthetic penetration in the industrial
market. Europe and Germany in particular are
trendsetters on Health Safety and Environ-
ment (HSE) matters which drives synthetic
usage.
In 2013, ExxonMobil is estimated by Kline
to retain the #1 market share among of fin-
ished synthetic lubricants at global (18%)
and regional levels (as high as 24% in North
America). Globally, BP follows at 11% and
then Shell at 9%. “ExxonMobil’s Mobil 1 line
of synthetic lubricants maintains a consistent
message and one that is easily recognized,
regardless of region or country market”. .
Global finished lubricant demand,
excluding process oils, is projected to
reach 35.7 million tons in 2017 and 38.7
million tons in 2023 up from 33.5 million tons
in 2013 according to research and consulting
fi rm Kline’s “Global Synthetic Lubricants 2013
Market Analysis and Opportunities” which
summarizes Kline’s fourth comprehensive
analysis of the market for synthetic and semi-
synthetic fi nished automotive and industrial
lubricants. Of this, synthetics’ share of the 33.5
million metric ton global lubricants market
in 2013 (excluding process oil) will grow to 18
percent of the 38.7 million tons of total lubri-
cant demand in 2023, said Kline.
Total global finished lubricant demand,
including process oils, is estimated at 39.2
MT in 2013, up 1% overall compared to 2012
with synthetic and semi-synthetic lubricants
accounting for close to 13% of total demand
Kline found in this recently completed study
and presented in a webinar last month by
George Morvey, industry manager for Kline’s
energy practice,
Of the estimated at 39.2 MT in 2013 men-
tioned above, regionally, Asia Pacifi c, at 43%,
consumes the greatest percentage of the global
lubricants market, followed by North America
at 25% and Europe at 17%. By application,
HDEO, at 23% commands the greatest use of
fi nished lubricants, followed by PCEO/MCO at
21% and PO (Process Oil) at 14%.
Morvey stated that the report is global
and includes the major lubricant consuming
regions, specifi cally Asia Pacifi c, North Amer-
ica, Europe, Africa-ME and South America, and
their respective leading country markets. The
study base year is 2013 with forecasts to 2017
and 2023.
According to Morvey, synthetic lubricants
mentioned in this study include those formu-
lated with Group III, Group IV (PAO), and vari-
ous Group V basestocks. Full synthetics have
100% of these basestocks; semi-synthetics
Synthetic lubes driven much by OEM demands to reach 18% of total global lube demand by 2023
DEMAND
have a portion (~20% to 30%) of these base-
stocks, though there is no generally accepted
cut-off.
Globally, synthetic and semi-synthetic
lubricants account for close to 13% of total
2013 fi nished lubricant demand with Europe
claiming the greatest percentage, at 28%, fol-
lowed by North America at 15% and the Asia
Pacifi c region third at 10%. South America’s
synthetics penetration reached 7 percent,
while Africa and Middle East together was
just 4 percent.
Morvey said “Much of the increase in syn-
thetic lubricant demand has to do with OEM
technical demand, new vehicle sales in Asia-
Pacifi c, and industrial and commercial equip-
ment modernization. The conversion from
conventional to synthetic PCMO is driven by
the technical demands of OEMs such as Toyota
and Honda who have signifi cantly increased
their requirement for synthetic oils.”
In 2013, PCEO accounts for 75% of total
consumer lubricant demand, with North
America the leading region, The highest
synthetic penetration is in Europe, being
driven by established OEM technical demand
in both premium and mass market vehicles,
consumer demand for extended ODIs, lower
maintenance costs and environmental ben-
efi ts. While overall synthetic penetration in
the consumer market is 26%, penetration by
major countries varies signifi cantly with the
highest in the UK. Germany has the strict-
est defi nition of “synthetic” and the highest
penetration of full synthetic. However, when
semi-synthetics are included, the country is
eighth in terms of synthetic/semi-synthetic
penetration.
Morvey said that in all the country markets
synthetic motor oil sales mainly go through
the installed channels. “Within the installed
channels, more of the product is being con-
sumed and pushed through the OEM franchise
workshops. In most cases, the mechanic makes
F E A T U R EG L O B A L M A R K E T
23 September 2014 • SPECIAL EDITION | LUBEZINE MAGAZINE
Produced by:
The 3rd ICIS African BaseOils & LubricantsConference
Overcoming supply challenges and addressing the issues of quality to strengthen Africa’s position in the global market
4th November 2014: Pre-conference seminar / 5th – 6th November 2014: Main conference
Main conference: Wednesday 5th & Thursday 6th November 2014, Pre-conference Seminar: Tuesday 4th November 2014The Westin, Cape Town, South Africa
Get to grips with the latest developments in Africa’s base oils & lubricants markets
Assess the impact of the global shift towards higher quality base oils on Africa
Learn how to overcome issues relating to poor quality base oil imports
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Examine downstream demand to assess the implications for base oils & lubricants production
Meet and network with key domestic and international market players
Plus much more…
The in-depth programme will be presented by a top line-up of speakers including:• Samer Akram, Director - Operations, UNICHEM SERVICES• Jonathan Njine, Chief Executive, LUBESOL• Nick Gill, Base Oils Trader, CHEMLUBE SA• Dr Herbert Fruhmann, Market Manager LUB Naphthenics,
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Quote promo code: ZZZ69060 when registering your place.
24 LUBEZINE MAGAZINE | September 2014 • SPECIAL EDITION
F E A T U R EP A C K A G I N G
Lubes market growth revs up
EA mold making services
MOLDS
Lubricants industryIn the East African market, the few mold
making companies that have been in opera-
tion have largely focused on the needs of other
industries that require packaging materials
such as the beverage and edible oils industry.
But this is changing now that lubricants con-
stitute a considerable market for both mold
and container makers, following the increase
in the number of lubricant marketers and an
increasing market size. The fi erce competition
amongst the lubricant marketers has fuelled
constant product improvements both in qual-
ity and visual appeals through new package
designs.
Established in 1997, Plas-Kit Kenya is one
The importance of good packaging design cannot be underestimated in the marketing of lubricants more so for the automotive range. Customers tend to associate some quality aspects to the products contained in a well-designed and attractive container. This has resulted in many lubricant companies continuously upgrading or renewing their
packaging designs to meet market needs.With each new package design, there is need for a new mold. In the
East African region, companies that package their lubes locally either source for molds from within or outside the region mostly from China and the Middle East. Availability of mold making companies locally is of great convenience to companies that package their products in plastic containers.
By Lubezine Team
Plas-Kit Kenya proprietor Mr. Iqbal Singh.
25 September 2014 • SPECIAL EDITION | LUBEZINE MAGAZINE
of the companies providing mold-making
services in Kenya. The company has a wide
range of clients extending to other countries
in the East African region. Mr. Iqbal Singh, the
fi rm’s proprietor, says the demand for molds
by oil marketers has risen significantly, and
he attributes the phenomenon to the entry of
more players into the lubricants industry and
the expanding regional market for lubricants.
‘We receive more orders for molds these
days from lubricants companies as compared
to, say, ten years ago. Of course we make molds
for companies dealing in other products, but on
lubricants I can say the demand for lubricants
plastic molds has gone up in comparison to
what it was before’, he told Lubezine magazine
recently.
To get a glimpse of how the growth of the
lubricants industry has infl uenced the demand
for packaging material, we asked him how
many oil companies have been part of his
clientele as far as lubricants are concerned.
‘Well, we have two types of clients. The fi rst
group makes orders to us directly while the
other’s orders are made indirectly. We make
the molds they have ordered based on samples,
drawings, photographs or designs provided’, he
said.
‘The companies that make direct orders to
us include Gulf Energy, National Oil, KenolKo-
bil, OSENN Lubricants, Synergy and Lacheka.
There are more others, but their orders are
made indirectly through other companies
associated with plastic containers,‘ he said.
Focus to lubricantsIn accordance with the designs specifi ed by
clients, the company makes various types
of molds, including injection molds, blow
molds and PET molds, each of which Mr.
Singh says is made accurately in line with
the unique dimensions and specifi cations
provided by their clients. This is achieved
with their Computerised Numerical Con-
trolled Machines (CNC).
‘You see, a mold is not just a block of
steel; each section is made with a special
type of metal alloy to meet standard qual-
ity requirements. We have the technology
with which to achieve the level of precision
required in the containers that will be made
through our molds. We use various specifi c
types of alloys in the molds to also ensure
that the molds last to the desired lifespan.
Our molds have to meet the warrantee pro-
visions as well.’
Elsewhere in Africa, plastic mold services
are not spread out evenly. South Africa hosts
a larger number of companies specializing
in plastic molds manufacturing than most
countries here. They include Africa Plastics,
Calibre Plastics, Daletech Engineering, and
Darsim Tools and Die. However, surging
demand within other industries requir-
ing packaging, including the lubricant
industry, will in all likelihood lead to the
establishment of more such companies in
more countries within the continent.
With diminishing profi ts resulting from a
strict fuel regulatory regime, particularly in
Kenya, marketers have shifted their focus to
lubricants to remain afl oat and supplement
their profits. This development, coupled
with such other factors as the increasing
national fl eet will without doubt continue
to rev up the demand for oil, and with it the
demand for consumables such as containers
and auxiliary services such as mold-making
services. .
Lube companies are continuously upgrading or renewing their packaging designs leading to demand for new molds
Lube-oil molds.
26 LUBEZINE MAGAZINE | September 2014 • SPECIAL EDITION
1. Which was your fi rst involvement in lubrication services?Shortly after college in 1996, I joined Kobil
as a Technical Sales Representative. Later in
1997, I moved to Total Kenya as a Territory
Manager and later on the Total Nairobi Joint
Depot Manager. In September 2000, I left for
the US to pursue a Masters in Engineering
Technology. On graduation in 2001, I was
hired by General Electric as the GE Techni-
cal Director at Kansas City Southern Railroad
providing technical service support to their
GE locomotives. In 2007, I became the GE
Lead Lean Manufacturing and New Product
Introduction Engineer for GE Remanufactur-
ing Services for locomotive traction motors.
2. You worked in the US for many years. What motivated you to come back to Kenya to provide professional services in the local industry?I was inspired by the demand for industrial
lubrication services. While in the US, I used
to receive numerous invitations from clients
here in need of industrial lubrication solu-
tions. I would come back, attend to them and
return to the US.
But with the need for regular monitor-
ing of industrial machinery for most of my
clients, it became necessary to return to the
country again and again. This prompted me
to consider returning to the country.
3. When you came back to the country you set up a company. Tell us about it. Yes, upon my return I started a company
focused on providing Total Lubrication
Solutions. Droplex Industrial opened its
doors here in Kenya in 2010, becoming the
fi rst company providing such services in the
region.
The services we provide include instal-
lation and maintenance of automated lube
systems; general lubrication equipment; con-
tamination control solutions; maintenance
contract services; plant lubrication audits;
and fl uid transfer systems.
4. In your practice as a lubrication expert you have had the privilege of having both the local and global perspectives as far as professional lubrication solutions are concerned. What are your observations on the industry in Kenya?Lubrication has not been accorded the
importance it deserves here within the
industry, in my view. There is still an
entrenched mindset that lubrication is just
but adding oil or grease. In reality, however,
it is more than that, and it should in fact
be rated number one among the priorities
to be given serious consideration in indus-
SALES PROCESS
Inspired by increasing demand for professional lubrication services in Kenya, CRISPIN MBOGO – a Mechanical Engineer – shifted his base from the United States of America, where he had had various professional stints, to set about providing professional lubrication services and solutions here in Kenya. His effort culminated in the setting up of a pioneer company specializing in,
among other attendant services, industrial lubrication. But as the Lubezine Team established in a recent interview with him, various initiatives need to be put in place by relevant industry parties to boost the adoption of professional lubrication services.
QUESTIONS10 FOR LUBRICANTS PROFESSIONALS
Why professional industrial lubrication should be prioritized
Droplex Industrial CEO Chrispin Mbogo at company off ices in Nairobi.
27 September 2014 • SPECIAL EDITION | LUBEZINE MAGAZINE
trial maintenance practices. Lubrication is
everything as far as the smooth running of a
plant is concerned. With proper lubrication,
plants are more effi cient, produce more and
save on energy and repair costs.
On the other hand, when due attention is
not paid to lubrication, machinery is bound
to break down often, occasioning hefty
maintenance costs and resulting in huge
loses on account of stalled production.
In global leading manufacturing organi-
zations, the top maintenance technicians
are the lubrication champions entrusted
to guide the plant lubrication processes
because they understand that it is the most
important element in plant maintenance
activities.
5. What measures can be put in place to ensure end users appreciate the importance of engaging professional lubrica-tion services?The biggest problem I think is lack of knowl-
edge, which unfortunately also contributes
to slowing the growth of the lubricants
industry in general. Consumers need to
appreciate the fact that lubrication is a pro-
fessional service that should be undertaken
by trained personnel.
Ideally, every plant should have profes-
sional lubrication section to ensure indus-
trial efficiency and limit both downtime
losses and avoidable maintenance expenses.
6. Why should plants engage professional lubrication services?A lubricant is just not a lubricant. Vari-
ous designs of machinery and equipment
require unique lubricant specifications. It
takes skilled personnel to understand these
critical considerations in lubrication. In addi-
tion, the lubricants call for regular analysis to
establish when it is advisable to replace them
so as to ward off machinery breakdowns.
7. Are there suffi cient service personnel in the country to provide these services, or do we require additional investment towards training lubrication professionals on the local front?Currently, most of the training opportunities
and efforts come through established oil
multinationals. We still need more towards
promoting professional training in lubrica-
tion. But even then, I have observed that a
critical disconnect between training and the
industry’s realities. There is need for train-
ing to be informed by the experience of the
experts on the ground.
8. Do players in the indus-try have a role in bolstering the industry’s growth?Absolutely. They should organize regular
forums such as open days, at which indus-
trial experts can meet to exchange ideas
drawn from their experiences in instead of
seeking their help one at a time.
These platforms can provide fabulous
opportunities for service providers to show-
case new solutions to industry problems
and new products as well. More of such
interactions would go a long way in creating
a greater mutual impact.
9. What about learning institutions, what path should they take in developing lubrica-tion curricula that resonate with industry needs?
I think the most important consideration
should be seeking the input of experienced
industry experts so as to understand the
dynamics within the industry and the
emerging skill demands. That would be
instructive in fi lling the skill gaps.
10. What do you say to aspiring lubrication profession-als?I encourage them to come on board. With
the country’s plan to industrialize, there
would be numerous opportunities for them.
They should also be aware that the
availability of lubrication professionals
will increase the demand for them in the
industry. .
28 LUBEZINE MAGAZINE | September 2014 • SPECIAL EDITION
W O R DL A S T
consumption, usually in older cars. It would
appear that the only way to do this is to
thicken the oil. The thicker the oil the higher
the fuel consumption.
The big question for aftermarket additives is
that if they can perform as well as it is claimed
they do, then why are the car manufacturers
not advising their consumers to use these
products in their engines? This puts doubt
on whether it is advisable for users to add
aftermarket additives to their oil because of
the belief of enhanced effi ciency and vehicle
performance.
In developed nations, numerous law suits
have also been fi led against aftermarket addi-
tives manufacturers for misleading market-
ing and advertisement.
Additionally, a test done by the US Army
Mobility Equipment Research and Develop-
ment Command on effectiveness of some
leading brands of aftermarket additives found
out that they did little to improve detergency
or dispersant qualities of the engine oil, while
some actually created potential problems in
the areas of foaming and thickening of the oil.
A good quality lubricant is like a chemi-
cal soup with very specifi c characteristics to
which adding additional ingredients will not
make it more effective or improve its perfor-
mance. .
Whenever the term additive is used, it
may be understood to mean either
those additives used by oil compa-
nies in the blending of lubricants or those that
can be bought off the shelf to be added into an
already-blended lubricant, typically known as
aftermarket additives.
To blend additives into the base oil during
lubricant production, prior scientifi c research
must have been conducted to ensure the addi-
tives do not react adversely with each other
and the base oil, and also that the desired
performance of the fi nished lubricant will be
achieved.
Indeed, a lubricant cannot fulfi l its complex
roles in an engine in the absence of such addi-
tives as anti-wear and extreme pres¬sure for
friction and wear reduction, corrosion and
rust inhibitor, TBN to neutralise corrosive
acid, detergents to clean up any sludge and
varnish, dispersants to keep insoluble parti-
cles in suspension until the fi lter can remove
them and antioxidants to retard oil degrada-
tion due to oxidation.
The choice and proportion of the additives
to use depends on the desired performance
levels of the end product. Aftermarket addi-
tives differ from the additives mentioned
above in that they are meant to be added to
a fi nished lubricant ostensibly to improve its
performance.
The additives are produced to be used in
engine oil, transmission fluid, gear oil and
power steering fl uid. Most of the aftermarket
additives can be classifi ed into three catego-
ries: friction modifi ers, oil rejuvenators, and
oil consumption reducers.
Friction modifiers aftermarket additives
promise less wear during starting, improved
mileage, smoother engine operation, and
cooler running. The chemicals used to for-
mulate these additives will have an adverse
effect on the additives already contained in
the fi nished lubricant.
For instance, the detergent package in the
fi nished lubricant may view the aftermarket
friction modifi er as some form of contamina-
Aftermarket additives; do they work?
PERFORMANCE ENHANCERS
tion. By attacking the friction modifi er, the
detergent package becomes depleted and the
friction modifi er is at least partially neutral-
ized.
A good quality fi nished lubricant should be
blended to provide all-around performance.
So while it may be possible to improve the
performance in one area by using an after-
market additive, it is also possible that some
other good benefi ts of the fi nished lubricant
will be missed.
The second category, oil rejuvenators,
promises extended life from old oil, and new
life for tired engines. Marketers of such addi-
tives suggest that the base oil has not worn out
but that the additive package has been used
up. By replenishing these used up additives,
the assumption is that the lubricant will get
a new lease of life.
But one critical error in this assumption
is that it overlooks the reasons why oil is
drained at the end of its service life. Oil change
ensures that the contamination that has been
accumulating in the engine over time goes out
with the drained oil. Therefore by continu-
ously reusing the lubricant after adding the
rejuvenating additives, the engine is exposed
to the harmful effects of excessive contami-
nation levels in the oil. The fi nal category, oil
consumption reducers, promises reduced oil
By Yusuf Kipruto
29 September 2014 • SPECIAL EDITION | LUBEZINE MAGAZINEAvailable at all OiLibya stations and authorized distributors countrywide
KleensCrystalClearFor a long long time
Multi-PurposeGood for Windscreens, windows and even domestic use
Great Value for MoneyGet 25Litres dilutedfrom each 250 ml pack
1:100
Enviromental Friendlyand smells lovely
Great ConvenienceMeasure amount needed with pack
Great ChoiceAvailable in Peach,Strawberry and Lemon
A Q U A L I T Y P R O D U C T F R O M O I L I B Y A
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30 LUBEZINE MAGAZINE | September 2014 • SPECIAL EDITION