European lubricant producer associations have published a methodology to calculate the carbon footprint of lubes.
The Union of the European Lubricants Industry (UEIL) and the Technical Association of the European Lubricants Industry (ATIEL) have developed a methodology to calculate environmental impacts across the entire lubricant industry. The document responds to an industry-wide request to supply a standardised method to quantify product carbon footprints (PCF) of lubricants, ensuring consistency and comparability. The products included range from automotive oils to greases, industrial oils and turbine oils.
The framework was developed on a cradle-to-gate basis, following the carbon impact of the product from the raw material extraction until it leaves the refinery. This includes all emissions resulting from production, transport and packaging but excludes the emissions from the use of the lubricant itself.
The PCF calculation takes into account elementary flows — standard emissions — as well as energy flows, which are exchanged between processes. And an assessment of the data quality is required to evaluate the manufacturers' activity. The methodology also looks at waste treatment, wastewater and recycling of secondary materials.
Across Europe, 2mn t of lubricants could be collected for re-refining processes. Of this, 20pc cannot be re-refined because they are mixed with additives that does not allow its recycling or are burnt.
The new framework includes a lifecycle impact assessment of the oils, measuring how much the emissions released from their production would contribute to global warming over a 100 years. The methodology is currently being reviewed by a third party and is expected to be put in place before year end.
