Range of Applications
There are a number of activities and economic sectors for which the use of biolubricants is vital. Especially where the preservation of the overall and specific environmental quality of sensitive areas is concerned because many loss lubricants are applied there, or the use of lost lubricants may lead to damage.
(Bio)lubricants can be applied to:
- Civil engineering works, objects and structures: ground, road and hydraulic engineering such as bridges, sluices, pumping-stations, dams and port installations;
- Vessels for coastal and inland navigation, inland fishing and dredging operations;
- Commercial vehicles for road transport such as heavy motor vehicles, public transport, company cars (and their maintenance);
- Constructions and vehicles for rail and tram traffic;
- Commercial vehicles and machines for agricultural, horticultural, forestry and landscape management purposes;
- Other mobile equipment;
- Constructions in commercial and industrial building, such as, offices, garages, hospitals, sports facilities, energy stations and sewage works.
Figure 1a gives an impression of the scope of the consumption of diverse types of lubricants in different economical activities and sectors in 2003 (141,691 tonnes in total).
Figure 1a: Specification of lubricants per application sector in 2003
(1000 kilos)
Source: based on Statistics Netherlands (CBS), 30 March 2009
Figure 1b illustrates that the vast majority of lubricants were of mineral origin (123,810 tonnes). With regard to synthetic lubricants (13,433 tonnes) and greases (4,448 tonnes), no distinction was made between products of mineral or biological originsl.
Figure 1b: Specification of lubricants per applicationsector in 2003
(1000 kilos)
Source: based on Statistics Netherlands (CBS), 30 March 2009