Biodegradable lubricants and greases – EALs
Offshore Support Vessel using biodegradable lubricants, VGP compliant and EU Ecolabel, whilst docking at an offshore wind turbine
Protect your equipment and the environment
Businesses are under pressure to deliver more, while also protecting the environment they operate in. This means they must adapt to changing standards and regulations – and use fewer resources, without compromising performance. All of this requires the proper maintenance and protection of equipment – an area in which biodegradable lubricants can help.
Lubricants play a vital role in keeping the world moving and vessels operating efficiently. As the world’s need for mobility, distribution and production increases, so does the demand for lubricants. However, there is a need to balance the increasing demand of lubricants with the environmental impact to accelerate positive change.
- Ocean traffic is increasing - The world’s trading fleet surpasses 60,000 vessels.1
- Pressure to decarbonize shipping is growing – The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) targets a 70% carbon intensity reduction by 2050, driven by corporate supply chain decarbonization efforts.2
Shell PANOLIN - Biodegradable Lubricants
Read the transcript
Read the transcript
Title: Shell PANOLIN – Biodegradable Lubricants
Duration: {0 :32} minutes
Description:
{Shell PANOLIN Biodegradable Lubricants brand and sector video}
Shell PANOLIN – Biodegradable Lubricants Transcript
{Section 1 – More Industry}
[Background music plays]
Noisy, mechanical machine sounds and rhythmic music
{Video Montage 1}
Video footage close up shots of machinery in montage. Cogs, cargo ship cranes, construction site excavators, tractors, dump trucks, ship in water, cargo ship breaking the waves.
[Text displays]
More commerce
More transport
More food
[Voiceover 1]
{Voiceover}
Shell PANOLIN offers a wide range of high performance biodegradable lubricants.
[Text displays]
More raw materials
More cargo
More industry
{Section 2 – Less impact}
[Background music plays]
Quiet, softer music. Peaceful environment sounds.
{Video Montage 2}
Peaceful open ocean with cargo ship. Long shot of farming a field. Bridge built in environment.
[Text displays]
Less Impact
[Voiceover 2]
{Voiceover}
With unrivalled protection for your equipment and the environment you’re working in.
{Section 3 – Brand Screen}
{Still image}
Shell PANOLIN. More Industry. Less Impact.
[Background music plays]
The sound of Shell
What is an EAL? – Environmentally Acceptable Lubricant
Efforts to reduce environmental impact are increasing:
- The US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Vessel General Permit (VGP) requires biodegradable lubricants for all vessel oil-to-water interfaces in US waters.3
- Europe strongly favours biodegradable lubricants, and Australia recommends their use.4
Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants (EAL) are defined by the US EPA as fluids that are biodegradable, minimally or non-toxic and non-bioaccumulative.5
Learn more about EALs through the Frequently Asked Questions
Shell biodegradable lubricants can help customers to meet the marine and offshore needs
The Shell biodegradables range contains products from Shell Naturelle and introduces Shell PANOLIN, a range of biodegradable lubricants that brings together decades of experience and experts in biodegradables research and development. The wide range of biodegradable lubricants offered under Shell PANOLIN are helping our customers to safeguard sensitive ecosystems without compromising equipment performance.
All fluids in this range are readily biodegradable and have low aquatic ecotoxicity. In case a specific environmental standard or scheme compliance is required, we offer a range of certified fluids (EALs) including VGP compliancy, EU Ecolabel, OSPAR, CEFAS and USDA Bio-Preferred.
The Shell PANOLIN and Shell Naturelle range of biodegradable lubricants are approved by leading manufacturers for use in applications that have a potential oil-to-sea interface.
Product Range
High-performance 6 biodegradable lubricants and greases help customers to manage their product-related sustainability needs while protecting their equipment and the ecosystem they operate in. The right biodegradable lubricants and ongoing monitoring can help extend equipment life and lower total cost of ownership. For the latest information please check our technical data sheets as well as the Port services guide for port and pack size availability.
Hydraulic Fluids
Shell PANOLIN S2 Hydraulic EAL
An unsaturated synthetic ester-based hydraulic fluid approved for use in major manufacturers’ stabilisers and controllable-pitch propellers and thrusters and holding ISO 15380 (HEES) and DIN 51524 part 2 and 3. EU Ecolabel registered for VGP 2013 compliance. The ISO grades 46 and 48 are fire resistant, denoted with “DU” in the product name.
Shell PANOLIN S4 HLP Synth EAL
A fully saturated synthetic ester-based hydraulic fluid approved for use in major manufacturers’ stabilisers and controllable-pitch propellers and thrusters. EU Ecolabel and VGP 2013 compliant.
Shell PANOLIN S4 HLP Synth
A fully saturated synthetic ester-based hydraulic fluid approved for use in major manufacturers’ stabilisers and controllable-pitch propellers and thrusters. Bosch Rexroth approved for ISO grades 32, 46 and 68, and full range readily biodegradable, OECD 301B >60%.
Shell PANOLIN S4 Hydraulic OS EAL
A fully saturated synthetic ester-based hydraulic fluid designed for offshore and subsea applications like ROVs. VGP 2013 compliant, OSPAR Yellow (Norway) and CEFAS OCNS Group A (UK/NL).
Gear and Stern Tube Fluids
Shell Naturelle S4 Gear Fluid
A fully saturated ester-based gear fluid for use in thrusters and propulsion drives, and certain stern tube designs. Excellent loadcarrying performance while maintaining biodegradability. All ISO grades are VGP 2013 compliant.
Shell Naturelle S4 Stern Tube Fluid 100
A non-emulsifying fluid made from fully saturated esters. Approved by the major stern tube and seal manufacturers. Designed to offer excellent lubrication.
Greases
Shell PANOLIN S5 Grease EAL V120P 2
An advanced biodegradable extreme-pressure grease for use in plain and roller bearings, and for general vessel lubrication. Approved by major rudder carrier manufacturers. EU Ecolabel and VGP 2013 compliant.
Shell Naturelle S2 Grease A600P 1.5
A high-performance fully biodegradable lubricant for use on wire ropes, cables and open gears offering high resistance to water wash-off while maintaining outstanding adhesion properties. EU Ecolabel and VGP 2013 compliant.
Shell PANOLIN S5 Grease EAL A460 0
An NLGI 0 grease with outstanding load-carrying capacity for use in sliding and rolling element bearings and marine applications where resistance to water washout is required. 3K industry-approved for rudder stocks. EU Ecolabel and VGP 2013 compliant.
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Disclaimer
1Department for Transport, Shipping Fleet Statistics for 2020 (PDF, 693 KB)
2Shell report, “Decarbonising shipping: All hands-on deck,” 2020 (PDF, 14.4 MB)
3Shell Global, “Decarbonising shipping” page
3United States Environmental Protection Agency, webpage on Vessel General Permit
4Global Eco Labelling; OSPAR Commission; United States Environmental Protection Agency; Kline Report on Biodegradable Lubricants 2016 and 2020
5US EPA Vessel General Permit 2013 and the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act
6Shell PANOLIN S4 hydraulics range is designed to protect machines over a wide temperature operating range, and high viscosity index fluids enable increased hydraulics efficiency, in comparison with typical HM mineral oils, tested in line with standards ASTM D97, ASTM D2270 and DIN 51360-6. The range also has good cold flow behaviour, reducing the risk of metal-on-metal wear.
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