FCC

Focussing towards more sustainable offerings for the construction industry

2024-07-26

Jayanta Ray, General Manager – Industrial and OEM, GS Caltex India, speaks on the primary factors that construction equipment customers prioritise when selecting lubricants.

How does your product range ensure the efficiency and uptime of construction equipment through effective lubrication?

The high-performance lubricants from GS Caltex offer ultimate reliability at all temperatures, lower oil consumption, significantly lower fuel consumption and specifically extended service intervals. Whenever engines and gearboxes run freer and more reliably, operating costs are lower if only because they consume less. We in GS Caltex are always focusing on reducing overall lubrication costs of business and have made services an integral part of our offering to mining companies to achieve sustainable goals.

GS Caltex KIXX LUBO Group II/III base oil has excellent low temperature properties and exceptionally bright water-white clear transparent characteristics. The Group II/III base oil produced by GS Caltex is environment-friendly with low volatility, thus reducing oil consumption and improving fuel economy. Kixx Lubo Base Oils also offer high thermal and oxidation stability to support drain interval extension. All these advantages are the result from the latest cutting-edge hydrocracking technology. As GS Caltex focuses on reducing overall lubrication costs of business, it has also made services an integral part of its offering to construction companies. Our team of experts are available to work with construction and mining companies to help optimise overall lubrication management.

Thus, Kixx Lubricants coupled with effective service helps to maximize the efficiency and uptime of critical equipment running at various sites across India.

What are the primary factors that construction equipment customers prioritise when selecting lubricants?

Lubricant related breakdowns have the potential to escalate the cost for construction companies. At times, they miss out on potential cost savings by underestimating the equipment productivity and efficiency that effective lubrication can bring about. To stay competitive, off highway equipment companies are focussing to innovative programs to increase productivity, efficiency and performance.

Selecting the right lubricant is a critical first step in improving productivity and realising significant cost savings. The equipment’s design characteristics, operational parameters and operating environment must all be considered when selecting the lubricant. Working conditions in the construction industry are often severe, factors like temperature, humidity, dust and location all pose different challenges for lubrication.

GS Caltex supports construction and mining companies in selecting the right lubricant which is the most important stage in improving productivity and meets cost savings targets. The team of experts have extensive knowledge and experience in supporting these companies in product innovation and development, on-site equipment monitoring, diagnosis and troubleshooting, training and development and optimised supply chain operations.

With new emission regulations already impacting the commercial vehicle market, what features have you incorporated into your lubricant range to comply with these regulations?

With introduction of BS VI emission norms in 2020, GS Caltex has already introduced its futuristic portfolio to meet the demands of the industry. To cater to the stricter emission norms, we have introduced Kixx HDX Euro which meets API CK4 standards. Now we have also moved towards API FA 4 technology and introduced same in Indian market.

Apart from same, we have expanded hydraulic oil portfolio to offer Extra Long Life Hydraulic Oil (Kixx Hydro HVL) as well as Zinc Free Hydraulic Oil (Kixx Hydro HV AF). We have also expanded our synthetic grease portfolio to focus on Hi Temperature Grease (Kixx Grease Therma 2), Moly Grease (Kixx Moly EP 2) and Kixx Advance Grease range for construction and Mining Industry for various applications. All these product categories are designed to meet extreme conditions of mining industry and have proven testimonials across leading industries in the sector.

How are you developing lubricants tailored for off-highway applications?

Due to stricter emissions norms like Stage V setting in, off highway equipment industry is witnessing fast paced technology changes as far as Lubricants specifications are concerned. Increased use of DPF in vehicles has become common now.

The trend in off-highway equipment lubrication is shifting towards the increased use of lower SAPS lubricants as we see a higher proportion of DPF fitment on new Stage V equipment which needs adequate protection. By restricting ash build-up in DPFs, lower SAPS lubricants can act as catalyst to reduce unplanned maintenance costs, downtime and any risk during warranty period. GS Caltex is partnering with OEMs in developing High Performance Kixx Lubricants in FA4 and other advanced categories for Indian market.

GS Caltex also has made consistent R&D efforts to develop eco-friendly lubricant products that can maintain engine oil performance. As a result, hybrid-specific Kixx HYBRID engine oil was launched in 2020, EV-specific Kixx EV engine oil was launched in 2021, and ‘Kixx BIO1’, Korea’s first eco-friendly engine oil made from plant-based raw materials, was launched in 2022.

What other innovations are occurring in lubricants specifically designed for off-highway applications?

GS Caltex India intends to maintain the momentum by partnering with off highway OEMs. Several key initiatives are also in pipeline for strengthening our Eco-friendly Lubricants Portfolio across the globe. Manufacturers are also focussing on sustainability measures such as recycling and reuse of industrial lubricants to reduce carbon footprint. Lubricant manufacturers also have started providing onsite and offsite lubricant recycling equipment and services to their customers.

With the use of specialty additives and synthetic base oils, companies are formulating industrial lubricants with better efficiency to address the issue of environmental protection and sustainability.

GS Caltex Lubricants ensures a sustainable performance in all its initiatives which includes plastic recycling, energy savings and conservations. Responsible sourcing, green logistics partnerships, waste management, bio-diversity conservation to name a few.

Are there any additional insights or aspects regarding industrial lubricants that you would like to share?

GS Caltex India has been promoting eco-friendly practices in producing oils and lubricants, pioneering sustainability initiatives before it became a mainstream corporate focus. The company has actively engaged in various activities to convey the message of sustainability, from developing optimised packing materials to incorporating recycled plastics in packaging. A key aspect often overlooked is the focus on offering products with extended drain periods, ensuring customers can use them longer, thus reducing overall resource consumption.

In addition to product improvements, GS Caltex is committed to enhancing the recycling aspects of its packaging materials.

The company promotes sustainability by adding components that contribute to longer drain intervals. Notably, GS Caltex, as a group, is working comprehensively on sustainability across various sectors, including lubricants, resins, polymers, and chemicals. While bio-based lubricants are not presently in India, GS Caltex is also adapting to evolving regulatory norms as part of its sustainability endeavours.

With upcoming regulations in the Indian market favouring refined base oil in lubricants, the company is prepared to meet these standards. The commitment to sustainability extends beyond current practices, with GS Caltex actively exploring innovations and adjusting its product pricing model to align with its offerings’ environmental benefits and extended lifespan. In essence, GS Caltex is not only responding to current sustainability needs but is proactively shaping a future where eco-friendly practices are integral to its product offerings and business strategies.