ILMA Compoundings – December 2019 - 17

Product Trends and Demand
The type of equipment manufacturers produce determines
the lubricants needed, and Robert Salgueiro, regional
market manager for Infineum, said the mobility landscaping
is changing at a rapid pace. This is being driven by regulatory requirements that are leading to more efficient vehicles
and by equipment manufacturers that are working to get
maximum efficiency from the powertrain. Across the world,
tighter emission limits are being mandated. "Globally, the
trend is to try to reduce greenhouse gas emissions," he said.
As a result, low-viscosity lubricants will continue to play a
critical role, Salgueiro said while discussing the 2019 Infineum
Trends report during ILMA's Annual Meeting. He added that
there are continuing advances in electrification, and the primary
challenge with the technology is the sheer diversity of solutions
available to each original equipment manufacturer (OEM).
That means lubricant manufacturers will have to meet product
specifications for a wider number of engine requirements.
"The position of the electric motor dictates the contact it
will have with the motor and the type of fluid that can be
used," Salgueiro said.
He added that the rising demand for passenger vehicles
worldwide is driving market growth and investment in
production capacity, and by 2025, there will be 1.3 billion
vehicles globally.
Salgueiro said ILSAC GF-6, a new passenger car lubricant specification, is pressing ahead, and the first allowable
use date is set for May 1, 2020. The standard is intended to
deliver a number of improvements relative to ILSAC GF-5,
including fuel economy and fuel economy retention, engine
durability, wear protection for idle-stop and low-speed
pre-ignition minimization, according to Infineum.
In the small engine space, Salgueiro said the global
motorcycle market looks set to rebound, with demand
expanding 4.4% in the next five years. The electric scooter
and e-motorcycle market will grow 5% to 8%. "There are
opportunities to develop motorcycle-specific lubricants
to support OEM hardware," he said, adding that some

"The motorcycle oil market could
feel impact of electrification
sooner than the passenger
vehicle lubricant market."
Robert Salgueiro, regional market
manager, Infineum
manufacturers are launching electric models. "The motorcycle oil market could feel impact of electrification sooner
than the passenger vehicle lubricant market."
For commercial vehicles, legislation continues to tighten
emissions globally, and OEMs are exploring a number
of options to improve fuel efficiency, including truck
platooning and autonomous technology with predictive
cruise control, Salgueiro said. He added that autonomous
technologies would likely mean OEMs need more durable
lubricants that can work 24/7. "The lubricant specification
landscape is becoming increasingly complex," he explained.
In addition, the basestock industry continues to face
challenges, Salgueiro said. "The drive for sustainability is
driving the market. Right now, it is legislation that is driving
demand for higher-performance products and higher-performance stocks," he said.

The Presidential Election
The 2020 U.S. election is on the horizon, which is creating some uncertainties for ILMA members and could
affect the regulatory environment. "Whenever there is an
election year, things slow down a little bit because people
are expecting a new administration," Ogburn said. "If the
White House changes parties, people think there are going
to be more regulations and inspections. That isn't necessarily
the case, but it is always something up for grabs."
Long is a freelance writer and journalist. She can be reached
at 925-750-7163 or mindy@mindylong.com.

ILMA Compoundings – December 2019

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