Shell Aviations High Performance Capability (HPC) turbine engine oil – Aero-Shell Ascender – has completed commercial flight operations in two Airbus A319 International Aero Engines (IAE) V2500 engines. The company says that AeroShell Ascenders formulation was developed to address increasing demands on turbine engines resulting from higher operating temperatures and extended periods between overhauls.

The fluid features low coking, high resistance to oxidation and thermal degradation, and excellent elastomer compatibility. These properties could help extend component life and cut maintenance and operational costs for an airline.

www.shell.com/aviation

Web Portal Helps Lubes Sales

The Mobil 1 Business Performance Program is an information portal to provide U.K. car dealers with digital marketing, sales and training resources to help companies maximize lubricant sales and profitability. It comprises six core modules to give dealers tools to promote and sell Mobil 1 branded lubricants more effectively.

The modules were developed to meet needs expressed by dealers for enhanced product support. Developments include Glovebox – a customer communications tool that enables dealers to engage directly with customers using the Internet. Staff training is another key part of the program and explains how customers benefit from improved engine protection and fuel economy performance, while dealers benefit by moving from a commodity to a value-added sales approach.

www.mobil.co.uk

Oils for Diesel Engines

Ammasco International has launched a new brand of lubricants in Africa, designed to protect a wide range of diesel engines. Rondo S oils are monogrades that can be used in turbo-charged or conventionally aspirated engines, including heavy-duty trucks, fishing boats and locomotives. They are also suited for stationary diesel engines such as gearboxes, hydraulic systems and torque converters.

The manufacturer says these products are formulated with additive technologies that meet standards in developed nations, exceeding typical performance in its region. Rondo S oils provide exceptional detergency, excellent anti-wear and anti-corrosion performance and high oxidation stability. These products are being marketed in Nigeria and other African nations.

www.ammasco.com

Greasing Plastic Auto Parts

Kluber Lubrication has introduced Klubersynth RA 44-702, a fully synthetic, high-viscosity grease for plastic parts inside cars. The grease mechanically damps and reduces the noise produced by slowly moving parts. It is odorless and can be used for both plastic-to- plastic and plastic-to-metal material pairings.

Klubersynth RA 44-702 helps reduce oscillation, noise and vibration and provides a pleasant, high-quality feel when handling interior components, even at low temperatures. For example, it can greatly improve the feel of operating switches or adjusting armrests and seat rails. Other applications include mechanical switches and rotary controls, ventilation flaps, sun visors, ashtrays, cup holders, storage boxes and sunroofs.

The company says this grease provides good abrasion resistance and has been tested on more than 100 standard and customized rigs to surpass the stringent requirements of the automotive industry.

www.klueber.com

Microwave Helps Analyze Oil

Sineo Master 40 microwave digestion system from Analysco Ltd. can detect metallic elements in heavily contaminated oils containing solid particles. The company says that microwave digestion is far more effective than simple dilution with an organic solvent for getting the samples into complete solution for analysis with ICP-OES or other techniques.

Up to 40 70-ml dissolution vessels can be simultaneously loaded into the microwave chamber. There, 1,800 watts of microwave power from two magnetrons can generate a maximum invessel pressure of 5 megapascals, allowing organic samples to be digested without pretreatment. Temperature and pressure in the vessels are continuously monitored and used to control microwave power via a rapid (1/200 second) feedback system.

www.analysco.co.uk

Gomel Launches Three Lube Lines

Gulf Oil Middle East Ltd (Gomel) has introduced three new product ranges in conjunction with major vehicle manufacturers and with technical collaboration from JX Nippon Oil and the Energy Corp. of Japan. In an agreement with Mitsubishi Motors Middle East and Africa, Gomel will market Mitsubishi Genuine ATF, passenger car engine oils and diesel engine oils in both small packs and drums.

The company has also started marketing Nissan Super Gold 20W-50 motor oil in the Mediterranean area and the Middle East, excluding Saudi Arabia. The oil is available in both small packs and drums. Gomel states that the new engine oil has undergone extensive field testing and has also been lab tested in Japan.

Finally, Gomel has launched the Isuzu Besco Genuine Oil range for cars running on diesel in the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Saudi Arabia. The company will blend and supply the products, which will be marketed through official Isuzu dealerships.

www.gomel.ae

Study: Biolubes Market to Grow

According to a new report titled Biolubricants: A North American and European Market Report, the North American biolubricants market is expected to achieve a market volume of 243,327 metric tons by 2017. Demand for the lubricants is being driven by legislation and demand from the hydraulic fluids sector. Biolubricants are used predominantly in the U.S. and Europe because cost limits their appeal elsewhere.

The report notes that hydraulic fluids are the largest segment using biolubricants in the U.S. and Europe, with cutting oil also expected to exhibit continuous growth. The two-cycle engine oil segment is likely to grow by 12 percent per year through 2017.

The report also forecasts that biolubricants will take an increased share of the overall lubricant market over time.

The report comprises 364 pages of strategic information about the North American and European biolubricants market, with historic and forecast data for 2003-2017. Also included are analysis of trends; market drivers and barriers; and political, economic, regulatory and other market-influencing factors.

www.companiesandmarkets.com