Elevance Announces Advances in Renewable Synthetic Lubricant Basestocks with Elevance Aria

At the 9th annual ICIS Base Oils and Lubricants conference, Dec. 4-6, 2013, in New Jersey, Elevance Renewable Sciences, Inc. announced recent developments in renewable synthetic lubricant basestocks designed to provide differentiated performance in broad markets such as engine and gear lubricants, metalworking, industrial and hydraulic fluids, and greases, and highlighted Elevance Aria WTP 40, a newly developed, high-viscosity lubricant basestock that combines the composition and properties of two key synthetic basestock technologies into a single, high-performance product.

“We have synthesized novel lubricant basestocks showing excellent wear resistance performance and lubricity and have progressed development of these,” said Robin Weitkamp, Elevance Senior Vice President, Lubricants and Additives. “Our initial development of lubricant components has created novel architectures that result in improved performance aimed at addressing today’s challenging lubricant industry requirements.

“For instance, preliminary evaluations of Aria WTP 40 have demonstrated balanced additive solvency, lower friction, excellent wear resistance, increased deposit control and cleanliness, high viscosity index, and improved shear stability. The data predicts increased performance across a wide range of temperatures, clean operation and better lubrication leading to improved equipment durability.”

The company also discussed how Elevance’s Inherent renewable building blocks enable novel basestock and additive architectures that demonstrate improved performance in unique lubricants and additives. Inherent renewable building blocks’ versatile chain lengths and di-functional structures enable the synthesis of lubricant components suitable for greases, metalworking fluids, and industrial and transportation lubricants. Further, Inherent™ products can create new families of basestocks that combine the benefits of two key synthetic basestock technologies — synthetic esters and PAOs — into a single, high-performing molecule that provides advanced lubricating properties and excellent compatibility characteristics.

Elevance has had broad success in product co-development across a variety of platforms, and is selectively expanding evaluation and development of new lubricant solutions, including Aria WTP 40, with additional strategic partners. Elevance’s ideal partners share the vision and dedication to innovate within lubricant and fuel component markets, are willing to leverage resources, and are committed to the development and commercialization of customized projects.

The company’s 180,000 MT joint venture biorefinery now operating in Gresik, Indonesia, gives Elevance and its partners the materials to develop and commercialize high-performance renewable lubricant components and finished lubricants. For example, Inherent™ C18 Diacid, a long chain diacid, is already commercially available as a lubricant component feedstock.

Weitkamp said: “We see the opportunity to change the direction of the lubricant market and create profitable growth by collaborating with companies committed to developing and commercializing next generation, high-performance renewable lubricants and lubricant additives.”