Lubrication innovation for power-packed performance

Evaluating the increasing growth of industries such as electricity generation, leading oil & lubricant experts believe there is a large need for industrial lubricants in India.

Industrial activities have been on an uptick since the third quarter of 2021; this has witnessed a spill-over in the critical power sector that is interwoven with all others. Now, with the economy in recovery mode, industries are aggressively pursuing profits to recoup lost time and revenue.  

Industrial and electricity demand impacting oil and lubricants industry 

According to Rupinder Paintal, Director – Market Development, ExxonMobil Lubricants Pvt. Ltd., “Today, businesses are keen to accelerate the pace of profitability, and for this, reducing unnecessary costs in machine maintenance and breakdowns is essential. Here, choosing the most advanced and precise lubrication solution can make a big difference. Duly, India is the third-largest lubricant consumer in the world and demand in the sector has been consistent. Also, the industrial lubricants market is expected to grow at a rate of 4 percent between 2022-27, which is promising.” 

According to Manish Kumar Gangwal, CFO, Gulf Oil, “The power sector is one of the major contributors to the growth of the country’s economic development. Due to rapid expansion of sectors like power generation, it has created a massive demand for industrial lubricants in India. The industry has demanded the lubricants to keep up with changing transmissions and increased load requirements.”

Evolving trends for equipment maintenance in the power sector 

There is a renewed focus on ensuring efficiency in operations, particularly in the use of heavy equipment and machinery. Sometimes, power plant operators are tempted to delay preventive maintenance or replace original components with lower-quality products. On this note, Rupinder says “This practice tends to create unsafe conditions where low-quality components, including lubricants, can threaten operations by failing to meet existing conditions. Poor maintenance can also cause health and safety issues, and lead to unplanned or excessive downtime. Today, power plant operators are keener to run timely diagnostics.” Simultaneously, there is a growing preference for digitalisation, especially in monitoring equipment health and performance. 

Manish on the other side, highlights the technology trends. He says, “while the oil and lubricants industry lags behind other industries in terms of tech transformation, the potential for using new age technologies is enormous. The oil and lubricants industry has been a persistent adopter of technology. He further believes the sector is becoming more agile and robust as digital innovation accelerates, preparing it for an incredibly challenging future. New age developments such as digitisation, automation and IoT-based procedures are gradually evolving in the space and tend to grow at a steady rate, opening the way for increased efficiency, revenues, and cost savings in the future.

To stay ahead of the curve and be future-ready, we have already made significant efforts to integrate digitisation into our daily business operations.

Impacts of lubricant on equipment’s performance

Lubricants are the life system of an equipment. At MobilTM, Lubricants, we have been supporting power plant manufacturers in maintaining equipment performance and providing dedicated servicing. “Our Mobil DTE™ 700 turbine oils, meet or exceed 17 industry and equipment builder specifications for gas and steam turbines. Further, the MobilTM DTE 932 GT has been designed for bearing lubrication and keep-clean hydraulic servo valve performance”, highlights Rupinder.

The Mobil SHC™ 800 Series oils are also providing long-life protection and high-temperature resistance. To help monitor oil and equipment conditions, and avoid unscheduled maintenance, we also offer Mobil ServSM Lubricant Analysis (MSLA). The energy industry today wants more efficiency in operations, and choosing the right lubrication could be an effective solution. At Mobil, we are driven to partner with our customers to aid their performance, productivity and profitability.

A lubricant’s sole purpose is to improve the equipment’s performance. Lubricants minimise friction, allowing moving machine parts to slide past each other smoothly. “Lubricants create a layer between the metal surfaces of machine parts, preventing metal-to-metal contact and allowing the machine to function more effectively, resulting in improved performance”, Manish explains.

Challenges in capabilities in the oils & lubricant sector

Lubricant manufacturers are facing unprecedented challenges with new specifications and a diverse range of engine and equipment performance tests. So, we must ensure that the quality of products is not compromised. In light of this, Rupinder states, “A key aspect to ensuring the performance of power plants is the choice of lubrication solution and, subsequently, thorough monitoring of equipment for maximum performance. Here, digitalisation plays a driving role, ensuring correct oil usage with regular monitoring of equipment with complementing superior solutions choice.”

“There are multi-dimensional versatile challenges in the oil & lubricant sector. In one end, customers’ acceptance of new products is limited due to high COGS and they are hesitant in trying new technologies,” quotes Manish. Also, unavailability of proper condition monitoring facilities, slow implementation of processes etc., especially in government sectors like power plants, are the main challenges in today’s scenario.

Energy-efficiency features introduced in your range

“Whether conventional or renewable, power plants today are in urgent need of improving capacities to aid the country’s energy transition while attending to the needs of an ever-expanding population”, Rupinder explains. For India’s promising energy sector, we have developed a range of engine oils, gear oils, greases and more. For instance, the Mobil SHC™ Gear 320 WT advanced wind turbine gear lubricant is a fully-synthetic industrial gear lubricant that provides optimum equipment protection for wind turbine gearboxes and extended lubricant life even under extreme conditions. Similarly, the Mobil SHC™ Grease 460 WT is especially suited to exceed the demanding requirements of wind turbine applications at extreme temperatures. This grease has earned a reputation based on its exceptional quality and reliability. “For service expertise, the Mobil Serv℠ Lubricant Analysis (MSLA) program, has been ensuring long-life and good health of turbines and gas engines. In transitioning economies like India, energy demands are unlikely to decelerate. Duly, empowering power plants in the country towards achieving heightened productivity will ensure overall profitability”, Rupinder continues.

(Exxon Mobil Corporation has numerous affiliates, many with names that include ExxonMobil, Exxon, Esso and Mobil. For convenience and simplicity, those terms and references to “corporation”, “company”, “ExxonMobil”, “EM”, and other similar terms are used for convenience and may refer to one or more specific affiliates or affiliate groups.)

Gulf Oil has been a leader in the development of lubricant products for the commercial, consumer, and industrial markets. “Because of its technology selection, OEM & partners, robust infrastructure, and established testing and manufacturing methods, the company has effectively attained leadership status and reputation in the industry”, Manish highlights. For some product categories, Gulf Oil is committed to providing sustainable products that benefit consumers in terms of greater performance and extended drain intervals, and it aims to provide products that contribute to resource conservation and sustainability.

At Mobil, we are driven to partner with our customers to aid their performance, productivity and profitability. Rupinder Paintal, Director – Market Development, ExxonMobil Lubricants Pvt. Ltd. 

We have already made significant efforts to integrate digitisation into our daily business processes. Manish Kumar Gangwal, CFO, Gulf Oil