Shell Lubricant Solutions Sustainability
Lubricants play a vital role in keeping the world moving and machinery operating efficiently. As demand for mobility, construction and industrial production rises, so too will the need for lubricants. Meeting this growing demand means managing the environmental and social impact of lubricants across your value chain.
Reducing emissions from our operations
From where we source our energy to how we produce lubricants, we are fundamentally changing the way we operate.
More than half of the electricity used at our global lubricant and grease plants now comes from renewable sources1. In China, one of our plants is set to use 300 tonnes less diesel every year, while driving down annual emissions by more than 900 tonnes. How? By using a new thermal energy storage system, which relies on renewable electricity, instead of diesel, to generate steam the Zhuhai plant needs to produce lubricants and greases.
We have reduced more than 55000 tonnes of Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions from our global lubricant operations2. This means we have reduced our production carbon intensity by 45% since 2016. We got there by improving our energy efficiency, using renewable electricity and upgrading equipment.
Driving circularity and lowering emissions
More circular and renewable ingredients
We are using more circular and renewable content to produce our lubricants. These include re-refined base oils and bio feedstock, working with innovative companies. For example, our partnership with Blue Tide enables us to transform used lubricants into clean, high performance base oils, reducing waste and promoting resource efficiency3.
Circular economy solutions
We are exploring new, more sustainable packaging solutions across our supply chains, including increasing use of recycled content. We also provide waste oil management services in select regions.
Biodegradable formulations
Our customers need choice when it comes to biodegradable lubricants. These fluids help reduce environmental impact, while driving sustainable growth. Thats why we have expanded our range of trusted biodegradable lubricants, including PANOLIN, MIDEL and MIVOLT.
Reducing emissions from logistics
By optimising logistics, we have shaved more than a million miles from our road transport network. And on some of our routes, you will find lower emission trucks using liquified natural gas (LNG) and electricity, which means we are leaving a smaller CO2e footprint.
Reducing, reusing and recycling our packaging
We have a priority to increase the amount of recycled plastic in Shell branded packaging to 30% by 2030, based on the reference year of 2022, and to use packaging for our products that is reusable or recyclable by design.
We have been working with our suppliers and contractors to:
- Produce our first 100% post consumer recycled plastic lubricants bottles (for selected products) at our plants in Thailand, India, Indonesia and Malaysia
- Introduce jerrycans in Europe, which use 27% less plastic and are better suited to recycling than round pails4
- Launch, in China, a 1 litre label free bottle for motor oils, which uses 3% less plastic by weight compared to standard alternatives and allows for easier recycling5
In China and North America: Our bag in box lubricants up to 89% less plastic than regular 1 litre plastic bottles6.
In India: We have pioneered a proof concept for closed loop recycling which involves the collection and recycling of used plastic lubricant bottles for creation of new Shell Lubricant bottles with post-consumer resin content7.
And in Germany: We worked with our partners to produce 100% recycled steel drums8.
Helping you meet your sustainability goals
With our high performance products, Shell customers are taking meaningful steps towards their CO2e emissions goals. Using more sustainable lubricants, together with cutting edge technology, helps deliver better fuel economy, energy efficiency and thermal management. This leads to reduced emissions and less waste, with high performance you can always rely on.
High Performance products, plus the power of technology
Shell PANOLIN biodegradable lubricants
A range of biodegradable lubricants that help customers protect sensitive natural ecosystems while maintaining high equipment performance.
Shell MIDEL Ester Transformer Fluids
Uncompromising fire safety, environmental protection and longer asset life. Just some of the benefits of this range of transformer lubricants.
Shell Risella C Re-engineered Process Oils
With circular process oils, you can develop formulations with increased recycled content and a reduced carbon footprint.
Explore our Lubricant Services
Tools and expert support to help you make your operations more efficient, reduce maintenance costs and minimise downtime.
More about sustainability in Shell
Delivering carbon compensation solutions for our customers
We have launched an extensive range of carbon compensation solutions, designed so you can make sustainable choices, while still prioritising performance. Shell carbon compensation program can help you to mitigate your unavoidable emissions through use of high quality carbon credits.
Disclaimers
1 Renewable sources include use of solar energy, renewable power contracts and renewable energy certificates
2 Basis: Scope 1 & 2 Emissions for Shell Owned and Operated Lubricant and Grease Assets as tracked and measured within Shell Environmental Reporting System for FY2024. Production Carbon Intensity is defined as Total Scope 1 & 2 GHG Emissions per production volume.
3 Blue Tide & Shell Lubricants Complete Re Refining Facility to Develop High performance Lubricants
4 Over 27% plastic reduction when comparing 20L Jerrycans versus 20L round pails previously used.
5 Elimination of the label and ink printing allows for the bottle to be made of a single material which is more suited for recycling. This bottle uses 3% less plastic compared to the current 1 litre bottle
6 Up to 89% less plastic is used when comparing a single 22.7 litre bag in box solution to the equivalent of 24 1 litre rigid plastic bottles
7 Both Shell and non Shell used lubricant bottles were collected for recycling and processing into post consumer resin for use in new Shell Lubricant bottles
8 Drums are made with 100% recycled steel, instead of virgin steel.
