Lubricant Expo 2023: a shifting landscape within sustainability
The Lubricant Expo 2023, held in Essen, Germany, marked the second consecutive year of this industry trade show. As one of the premier gatherings for the lubricant industry, it provides a unique opportunity for professionals to come together, share insights, and reflect on the state of the lubricants industry. At this year's event, representatives from Perstorp observed several distinctive trends and recurring topics.
Sustainability Takes Centre Stage
The overarching theme of the Lubricant Expo 2023 was sustainability. From various sustainable raw material streams to technologies enabling circular material flows, the event showcased the industry's commitment to addressing environmental concerns. Sustainability is now at the forefront of the industry's agenda, driven by regulatory requirements as well as concerns such as security of supply, performance, and environmental impact.
The Perstorp team appreciates the industry's openness to different sustainability options. The vision for the future includes utilizing mass-balanced, fully bio-based, or re-refined raw materials, depending on the specific requirements of end applications. This agnostic view towards raw materials represents a significant step towards a more sustainable future for the lubricants industry.
From Marketing Claims to Scientific Data
One of the standout observations at the Lubricant Expo 2023 was the evolving perception of sustainable raw materials. In the past, many had relied on marketing claims, often presenting a 'single truth' about the sustainability of their products. However, this year's event showcased a significant shift towards a more science based view of sustainability, underpinned by data and credible claims.
The Perstorp team noticed that the industry was moving beyond marketing rhetoric to embrace sustainability in a more substantiated manner. This change was evident in the discussions with exhibitors, visitors, and panel discussions held during the event.
Perstorp's Approach to Sustainability
Perstorp has been at the forefront of embracing sustainability as an integral part of its operations. We have chosen to apply traceable mass balance and ISCC Plus certification for several reasons. Firstly, this approach ensures product quality, performance, and regulatory compliance. Secondly, it supports sustainability commitments, such as those aligned with the Paris Agreement while enabling business continuity.
The decision to apply traceable mass balance and ISCC Plus certification is strategic. It not only provides credible calculations to track scope 3 emissions but also ensures that Perstorp's sustainability claims are transparent and verifiable, both upstream and downstream in its value chains.
Going beyond certification, Perstorp emphasizes both chemical and physical traceability for its products. Physical traceability means that there is a real connection between raw materials, production sites, and finished products. Chemical traceability means that only actual raw material that are used for producing a specific product can be shifted to renewable or recycled ones and thus accounted for in the mass balancing.
The Lubricant Expo 2023 was a pivotal event, marking a transition in the industry's perception of sustainable raw materials. Moving beyond marketing claims to embrace scientific data and credible claims represents a significant step towards a more sustainable and responsible lubricants industry. Perstorp's commitment to traceable mass balance, ISCC Plus certification, and rigorous traceability sets a commendable example for the industry as it continues its journey towards a greener future. With a broader perspective on applications and an unwavering focus on sustainability, the lubricants industry is poised for transformative growth and positive change in the years to come.
