Metalworking fluid formulators have been waiting for the curtain to rise and reveal the United States Environmental Protection Agencys decision on the use of chlorinated paraffins. Over the past three years, the stage seemed set for a new era of manufacturing extreme pressure agents without medium-, long- and very-long-chain CPs.
Well, recently the EPA changed its tune. The agency entered into consent orders allowing three companies-Dover Chemical, Inovyn and Qualice-to manufacture and import chlorinated paraffin substances, a sharp reversal from the administration of president Barack Obama, which sought to ban CPs due to environmental concerns.
Notices of commencement are now being submitted to the EPA to categorize CPs as existing chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act, as requested by industry representatives including the Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association. Under TSCA, manufacturers and importers of CPs will be required to test products for aquatic toxicity and biodegradability, as well as update safety data sheets.
Still, formulators who were worried that eliminating CPs would negatively impact them and their customers seem to be enjoying the EPAs newest song, as it eliminates the pressure to reformulate products in their entirety.
Our big announcement at LubesnGreases is the debut of the 2017-2018 Lubricants Industry Factbook. Organized by topic in graphic format, it shows the latest worldwide statistics, outlooks and trends for base oils, finished lubes and additives-segments that our editors receive the most questions about.
As usual, this annual resource has been mailed to our print and digital readers in the U.S. and Canada and to international paid subscribers. To purchase additional copies of the Factbook for colleagues inside and outside your organization, visit www.LNGFactbook.com and order a print copy or a downloadable PDF.
The 2017-2018 Factbook was prepared by director of editorial projects Lisa Tocci and art director Ricardo Lianez. We would also like to thank the industry experts who shared data for this resource and the advertisers who made the production and delivery to our audience possible.
Howard Briskin
HBriskin@LubesnGreases.com