1 – Renewable lubricants

: Renewable feedstocks are bound to gradually replace sources of fossil origin (oil, gas and coal), both as fuel and as raw materials for the chemical industry. Lubricants combine indispensable performance characteristics in transportation and industry with considerable economic value. The transition from mineral oil-based lubes to biodegradable lubricants from renewable raw materials is ongoing. Biolubricants originate from vegetable oils (triglycerides), wax esters and plant polymeric carbohydrates. Chemical sciences and plant biotechnology are crucial disciplines in designing environmentally acceptable lubricants for a wide variety of applications. Important actors in the biolubricant value chain are vegetable oil milling facilities, lubricant manufacturing industry, regulators and end users (for consumer acceptance).