Naugalube® APAN S from LANXESS, one of the world’s leading antioxidant suppliers, is an advanced liquid aminic antioxidant perfectly suited to high temperature lubricants.
Naugalube® APAN S represents the evolution of the long established alkylated phenyl-α-naphthylamine (PANA) platform and offers improved handling, exceptional high temperature durability, strong oxidative resistance, and consistent cleanliness.
It is a versatile, high performance choice for formulators designing lubricants that must survive extreme operating environments.
“APAN S is a patented, advanced liquid solution that combines high temperature stability with easy handling, ease of formulation, and support for cleaner labeling,” says Su Mi Beack, Global Marketing Director, Lubricant Additive Business at LANXESS. “It delivers the performance formulators expect, without the drawbacks of solid aminic systems. Package developers value the liquid form because it can reduce or eliminate the need for a diluent oil.”
Naugalube® APAN S provides exceptional thermal durability in liquid form, simplifying blending and expanding formulation flexibility. Engineered for lubricants exposed to heat, oxidative stress, and extended service intervals, APAN S provides strong protection across both industrial and transportation applications.
“You get a very stable antioxidant that stays in the fluid and keeps working at temperatures where other chemistries start to fade,” says Travis Benanti, Head of Process Development, LANXESS.
PANA antioxidants have long been valued for their exceptional durability in thermally stressed lubricant systems. Their molecular architecture provides inherent resistance to thermal degradation while effectively interrupting free‑radical oxidation pathways that drive oil thickening and deposit formation.
This combination of high‑temperature stability and sustained radical‑scavenging activity has made alkylated PANA chemistry a foundational technology for lubricants designed to operate in severe conditions.
LANXESS’ long heritage producing similar antioxidants ensures a high-quality product with consistent values of key parameters: activity, viscosity, flash point, color, and nitrogen content.
Naugalube® APAN S is supplied as a light amber liquid, significantly simplifying handling and incorporation into lubricant formulations. Its liquid form eliminates dusting and melting steps, supports faster blending, and promotes uniform distribution in both mineral and synthetic base stocks.
These attributes improve formulation efficiency, reduce variability, and support consistent performance, particularly in complex or high‑viscosity lubricant systems where dissolution of solid additives can be challenging.
Thermogravimetric analysis shows that APAN S exhibits one of the lowest mass-loss values among aminic antioxidants, indicating that more active material remains in the lubricant under severe heat (see Figure 1).
Extended oxidation testing confirms strong free radical scavenging behavior, helping retain viscosity, film strength, and cleanliness over long service intervals.
Figure 1
APAN S is particularly well-suited for stationary and aviation turbine oils; marine system oils; high temperature chain oils; automotive and industrial greases; and hydraulic and compressor fluids.
“We designed APAN S for flexibility across legacy mineral systems and the new generation of synthetic and renewable base stocks,” says Benanti. “This versatility is essential as the lubricant industry diversifies its formulations.”
Naugalube® APAN S can be used in combination with Naugalube® 438 to build stronger, more balanced antioxidant systems by leveraging complementary aminic structures and thermal behaviors (see Figure 2).
Figure 2
This combination broadens oxidative protection across a wider temperature range while maintaining lubricant cleanliness and avoiding many of the labeling concerns associated with older antioxidant chemistries.
“APAN S is how we modernize a proven technology. It’s the same trusted backbone, but offers better performance, better usability,” says Beack. “It’s the right antioxidant for the next decade of high temperature lubrication, and we are excited to bring this technology to our customers in early 2027.”
To find out more about LANXESS’ Naugalube® APAN S, visit the website at https://lanxess.com/en/products/products/n/naugalube–apan