This month’s Spotlight Feature Article looks at mining lubricants, which continue to ensure optimum mining equipment performance in extreme conditions. While for BEVs, dielectric fluids are a vital part of the mix, which includes TotalEnergies’ Rubia EV fluid: a product that circulates in the module and is in direct contact with the cell to offer the best operating conditions.
Wholly-owned subsidiaries of Shell plc in Switzerland, the UK, US and Sweden have entered into agreements to acquire the Environmentally Considerate Lubricants (ECLs) business of the PANOLIN Group, a transaction that brings with it an offering of biodegradable lubricants.
The transaction includes the PANOLIN brand, ECL product formulations, intellectual property, technical expertise and technology, international customer base and a portfolio of products – for hydraulics, gears, universal tractor transmission oils, biodegradable engine oils, turbine oils, chainsaw oils and greases for machine lubrication, including leading OEM-approved products, Shell said.
ECLs are biodegradable lubricants and can help contribute to a more sustainable future, offering greater protection for wildlife and ecosystems in the event that they come into contact with the environment, in comparison with conventional lubricants, the company explained. They enable customers to reduce the risks of operating in sensitive environments. The global market for ECLs is expected to grow significantly over the coming years, according to Shell.
Following completion of the transaction, Shell will manufacture, distribute and market the PANOLIN portfolio of ECL products alongside its Shell Naturelle branded products. The acquisition will strengthen Shell’s presence in the mining, construction, agriculture, renewable power, hydropower and offshore wind sectors, it said.
Shell expects to fully integrate the business into its global lubricants business within two years after completion, aligning with Shell’s Powering Progress strategy to accelerate the transition to a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050.
Machteld de Haan, Global Executive Vice President of Shell Lubricants, said: “We are entering into this strategic acquisition to grow our presence in the global industrial lubricants market, through differentiated, value-added propositions for our customers. Once completed, the acquisition will enable us to complement our existing range of sustainable products in response to increasing customer demand.”
All PANOLIN staff who currently support the ECL business in Switzerland, the UK, US and Sweden are expected to join Shell.
Subject to regulatory clearance and the satisfaction of closing conditions, the deal is expected to be completed by early 2023.
FUCHS Lubricants, a manufacturer of lubricants for the mining industry, has started constructing a £5 million ($6.2 million) raw materials warehouse at its UK headquarters in Staffordshire, England.
The warehouse is the latest step in a £10 million investment program at FUCHS UK. It has seen the introduction of a range of innovative manufacturing plant machinery and a new multi-line pallet loading robot arm, which will help fill the 4,000 pallet spaces the facility is expected to have.
Building work began in August and the framework structure and roof have now been completed, while the external cladding is now well underway.
The fully automated High Bay warehouse is due for completion in the June quarter of 2020 and will significantly increase the amount of raw materials the business can store on site, according to the company. Its construction will also allow an existing building to become a specialist packaging warehouse.
Mark Gray, Head of Operations at FUCHS UK, said: “We have an ambition to place FUCHS Lubricants at the forefront of R&D, manufacturing and distribution of lubricants in the UK. This raw materials warehouse represents a significant investment for the business, and a further step towards that goal. The warehouse includes sophisticated automation, which will futureproof the business and create cost-saving benefits.”
Two wire guided driverless Very Narrow Aisle trucks will operate in the warehouse, benefitting from high travel and lift speeds, without operator intervention. The warehouse has the ability for automatic or manual storage place allocation.
