The German Market Introduction Program for Biobased Lubricants

Abstract

In order to promote biobased lubricants, the German government has supported the conversion of existing or new equipment from mineral oil to biobased oil through financial grants, technical advice, and publicity, during the years 2001 through 2008. The author has been responsible for providing technical support and scientific evaluations to the program.
95% of the conversions were mobile hydraulic equipment and waterway installations. In an overview, market data and specifics are given, as well as typical properties of biobased hydraulic fluids, cost calculations, results of contamination experiments, and technical instructions for conversion of equipment.