FUCHS has been continuously promoting its sustainability strategy as a contribution to climate protection in the lubricant industry for more than 10 years.

BASF, a long-time partner of FUCHS for components, can look back on a long history of success in environmental protection. With a recent eco-efficiency analysis (EEA) for various mineral oil-based hydraulic fluids, which FUCHS carried out together with the global BASF business unit Fuel and Lubricant Solutions, the two partners now have convincing arguments for a holistic, realistic and fact-based sustainability assessment of hydraulic fluids created.

In contrast to the currently prevailing 'cradle-to-gate' approach, which only evaluates the part of the product life cycle up to the manufacture of a product, the evaluation of various hydraulic fluids was carried out with a 'cradle-to-grave' approach. In this, the ecological and economic aspects of the products under review were assessed over their entire life cycle, from the procurement of raw materials to production, use phase and disposal. Taking a holistic view of the entire life cycle of products related to use in a crawler excavator, The results of the EEA study clearly showed the lower environmental impact and the lower overall costs - especially when using the investigated premium HLP fluid (high-performance multi-grade hydraulic oil) compared to a standard HLP fluid (single-grade hydraulic oil). The main benefit is improved diesel fuel efficiency throughout the entire usage phase. This is achieved primarily through an improved volumetric efficiency of the fluid, lower friction and a lower mass circulation ratio of the liquid and thus more than compensates for the somewhat higher environmental influences of the products in the 'cradle-to-gate' phase.

'With this study, we are doing pioneering work together in evaluating sustainability aspects in the lubricant industry,' said Dr. Lutz Lindemann, Chief Technology Officer, FUCHS PETROLUB SE. 'We appreciate the broad expertise in sustainability and the analytical methods that BASF has brought in to then implement this joint project in combination with the practical, factual and application-related know-how of FUCHS. FUCHS and BASF are currently discussing further joint projects Analyzes, but also possible applications for the sustainable product portfolio of lubricant components from BASF. '

'Sustainability is a core element of our business,' added Dr. Julia Frey, Vice President Business Management EMEA Fuel and Lubricant Solutions, BASF SE. 'As a leading solution provider for the industries we serve, it is our aim, together with our partners, to continuously advance the establishment of a fact-based approach to the topic within the fuel and lubricant industry.'

The study is just one example of the extraordinary relevance of a 'cradle-to-grave' compared to a 'cradle-to-gate' evaluation on the one hand and the positive influence of a specially developed multigrade hydraulic fluid with a high VI (viscosity index) on one such a 'cradle-to-grave' analysis on the other hand. The fluids examined were all hydraulic fluids of different quality levels based on mineral oil. Further positive effects on the EEA can be expected when using ester-based hydraulic fluids, so-called biodegradable hydraulic fluids based on esters (HEES). Such liquids are known that they have inherently highly shear-stable VIs and also lead to less friction compared to standard mineral oil-based liquids. Another advantage for the environment is its biodegradability. Studies with such ester-based liquids could be a next step.

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About BASF Fuel and Lubricant Solutions

The global Fuel and Lubricant Solutions business unit is a leading supplier to the transportation and petroleum industries worldwide and part of the BASF Performance Chemicals division. The product portfolio includes fuel and refinery additives, polyisobutenes, coolants (Glysantin ) and brake fluids as well as lubricant additives, fully formulated lubricants, synthetic base oils and products for metal processing. The main locations of the business unit are Ludwigshafen, Cincinnati and Florham Park in the USA, Nanjing and Shanghai in China and Sao Paulo in Brazil. The main research and development facilities are in Ludwigshafen, Tarrytown, USA, and Shanghai, China. More information on the Internet at

www.basf.com/fuel-lubricant-solutions .

BASF Fuel and Lubricant Solutions is part of BASF's Performance Chemicals division. The division's portfolio also includes Plastic Additives, Kaolin Minerals and Oilfield and Mining Solutions. Customers from a wide variety of industries, including chemicals, plastics, consumer goods, energy & resources as well as the automotive and transport industries benefit from our innovative solutions. More information is available at www.performancechemicals.basf.com .

About FUCHS

The FUCHS Group develops, produces and sells high-quality lubricants and related specialties for almost all industries and application areas. The company, which was founded in Mannheim in 1931, employs more than 5,600 people worldwide in 62 operating companies. FUCHS is the world's largest provider of independent lubricant manufacturers. The most important markets in terms of sales are Western Europe, Asia and North America. More information is available at www.fuchs.com .

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