Sustainability is no longer a mere choice, but it is now embedded into the very core of every activity, saysShankar Karnik, General Manager, Industrial Lubricants, ExxonMobil Pvt. Ltd. In an interview,he sheds light on the recently launched Mobil DTETM 20 Ultra series, new trends and innovations in the lubrication industry and growth plans for India market.
Q. As ExxonMobil recently launched Mobil DTETM 20 Ultra series, please elaborate on the benefits of the product. Which key industries does it cater to?
The new Mobil DTE 20 Ultra Series is designed for all industries with hydraulic oil applications. The oil is designed to deliver upto 2x longer oil life and exceptional performance in harshest conditions and help industries achieve unprecedented performance goals easily. The new series lowers maintenance frequency, minimizing man-machineinteraction, which makes the site safer for industrial workers. The oil also provides improved deposit control of 89.2% for longer oil life and precision operations, & delivers superior wear protection to extend component life.
Q. What specific challenges faced by machine shops/manufacturing sector does Mobil DTE 20 Ultra address?
Hydraulic systems across industries need maintenance due to both oil and machine factors. As the oil oxidizes with time, deposits are formed causing replacement of both oil and filter. Moreover, often times even valves, pumps and
other parts of the machinery wear with age wherein the damaged components require replacement.This maintenance can be reduced and made effortless by using Mobil DTE 20 Ultra as it plays a major role in slowing down equipment ageing and decrease maintenance efforts.
Q. According to you, which new trends and innovations will shape the future of lubrication industry and propel its growth?
According to a report by Grand View Research, the global lubricants market was 36.36 million tons in 2014 and is projected to grow to 43.87 million tons by 2022, at an estimated CAGR of 2.4%. The emerging growth trends that are expected to propel the demand for lubricants both globally & in India are:
High demand from automotive:
Increasing demand for lightweight passenger cars and heavy-duty commercial vehicles has fostered global automotive production,which in turn is conducive to the development of lubricants for multiple application in this field.
Industrialization:
Rapid industrialization in countries like India, China, Brazil, and Mexico has encouraged applications in industrial machinery maintenance, thus driving the lubrication sector
Burgeoning Construction sector:
Lubricants are extensively utilizedin construction and in infrastructure sectors for hydraulic oil, bearings, engine oil and wire rope applications. In addition to all this, the demand and acceptance of biobased counterparts to reduce harmful environmental effects are projected to boost global lubricants industry demand.
Q. Comment on the requirements and challenges related to Indian manufacturing sector. How does ExxonMobil’s lubricants meet these requirements?
Tool life and uptime are critical to the success and profitability of the Indian manufacturing industries. ExxonMobilTM invests heavily on research and development to help the sector overcome these challenges. MobilTM lubricants are formulated with product compatibility in mind since machine and machine tool lubricants are often comingled. They are designed to work together and minimize the impact of cross contamination. In addition to this,we also provide a range of technical services to help keep machine shops running at peak efficiency while also extending machine and oil life, reducing downtime and lowering operating costs.
Q. How important is the selection of right lubricant for right applications? How does ExxonMobil assist customers in choosing the right lubricant?
We have observed that incorrect lubricant usage – even over usage of lubricants – can severely hamper productivity. For instance, disregarding the manufacturer’s recommendations for any piece of equipment or component could potentially lead to failure of the equipment or affect the machine’s warranty. With usage of lubricant closely linked to varying factors like environmental conditions, speed, load and temperature, getting the usage right is imperative for manufacturers.
Whenever a new machine or component is installed, one of the first things to be addressed is the type of lubricant to use. Typically, the equipment will come with a recommendation from the manufacturer, including the directives on viscosity. Base oil viscosity is one of the most important properties manufacturers consider when making a lubricant recommendation. It should take into account the speed, load and ambient temperatures. While this is a great start when choosing a lubricant, keep in mind that the working environment of the component or machine could be outside the manufacturer’s tested parameters.Using the appropriate grade and type of lubricant is essential for proper bearing performance. Failure to choose the right lubricant can lead to shortened bearing life. This is where professionals like Mobil Serv come in with their expertise to give the perfect lubrication solutions.
Backed by more than 130 years of lubricant development and a rigorous quality management system, Mobil Serv Lubricant Analysis is trusted worldwide for the integrity and accuracy of our product test data. Mobil’s state-of the- art laboratories process more than one million samples every year. The data and recommendations we deliver help customers be more productive and efficient, avoiding costly unscheduled downtime while enhancing safety & environmental care.
Q. What is your future vision and growth plans for India market?
We at ExxonMobil aim to develop breakthrough technologies that can benefit business and have a positive impact on society. Therefore, as a company we lay enormous emphasis on ongoing investment in research and development (R&D), working side-by-side with the world’s leading original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Currently, we follow “India step-out study”, ExxonMobil’s strategy for the Indian market. We have also stepped up our branding and advertising initiatives. We are growing at a high rate in terms of volume, revenue, products, sectors etc. We have launched a number of products to cater to all the four areas & soon the market will see more.
Q. Elaborate on the company’s efforts in the direction of developing sustainable and eco-friendly metalworking fluids.
Today sustainability is no longer a mere choice, but it is now embedded into the very core of every activity. At ExxonMobil,our ultimate goal is to improve our customers’ competitiveness through our commitment to being thetechnology leader with the highest level of application expertise, in a sustainable way. Our innovative products and services help deliver tangible performance benefits in the areas of safety, environmental care and productivity.In terms of safety, innovations in product formulations and services deliver long lubricant life, which can help minimize employee equipment interaction and mitigate the potential risk of employee injury.
Purely in environmental terms, ExxonMobil’s commitment to minimizing environmental impact has created technologically advanced products and services.This is achieved through optimized oil drain intervals, which can help reduce used oil volume and product packaging. Many of our advanced technology lubricants lower overall traction versus mineral oils, helping to reduce the amount of fuel or energy consumed while operating,and have potential to reduce energy costs and associated emissions.
