SITOLUBSimulation tools for the design of safe and sustainable lubricants

The development of safe and sustainable lubricants is a key component for the future of tribology. The European collaborative research project SITOLUB brings together innovative technologies from the fields of characterisation, simulation and data analysis within a single platform to support the development of new lubricant solutions. The aim of the project is to incorporate the requirements of the European ‘Safe and Sustainable by Design’ (SSbD) initiative at an early stage of development, thereby enabling the creation of high-performance, safe and environmentally friendly lubricants.

As part of the project, advanced models are being developed to assess the safety, functionality and sustainability of alternative raw materials. In addition, new methods for data generation are being created, which expand existing databases and enable a well-founded assessment of new lubricant formulations. The models developed will be integrated into the i-TRIBOMAT digital platform, validated with external users and continuously refined to ensure practical application within the industry.

A particular focus is on the development of sustainable alternatives for critical lubricant components. These include high-performance substitutes for fluoropolymers such as PTFE and PFPE in greases, safe and environmentally friendly anti-corrosion additives for industrial oils and greases, and new high-pressure additives (EP additives) as a replacement for chlorinated paraffins in metalworking oils. The aim is to significantly reduce the impact on the environment and human health without compromising on performance, temperature resistance or wear protection.

BECHEM is contributing its many years of experience in the development of innovative lubricant formulations to the four-year European research project and is working alongside universities, research institutions and industry partners to develop sustainable lubricant technologies. With a total budget of over 6 million euros, SITOLUB brings together twelve project partners from seven European countries and is making a significant contribution to the sustainable transformation of the lubricants industry.