As industries evolve and technological advancements usher in newer, more efficient machinery to the industrial world, the demand for greases and lubricants is growing significantly. Lubricants play a vital role in ensuring the smooth operation and longevity of industrial equipment. However, new market forces are changing lubricant manufacturers’ ability to reliably deliver products to their customers when they need them. Because of a renewed emphasis on electrification in the auto market that has resulted in a surge in demand for raw materials like lithium, grease and lubricant manufacturers must adapt to new supply chain challenges and ensure their products remain available now and in the future. Part of this equation is reducing dependency on lithium-based greases. Oxford University has cited that the demand for lithium far outweighs the current supply of raw materials mined. By 2030, the demand for lithium is projected to range from 250,000 to 450,000 tons, whereas in 2021, the world only produced 105 tons (not 105,000 tons) of lithium. Additionally, according to Statista, 80 per cent of the world’s lithium is currently used for batteries, while only 4 per cent is used for lubricants and greases. With such volatility surrounding this resource that is in high demand in a growing market, grease manufacturers are turning to new chemical compounds to provide reliability for customers who need greases for their equipment to function properly. As the lubricants industry navigates these disruptions, it has become crucial to explore new solutions and prioritize the responsible sourcing of raw materials. Here are some strategies to consider.

Optimizing greases for performance Greases are manufactured specifically to meet the original equipment manufacturers’ (OEM) specifications for heat and speed in each machine. Greases serve the purpose of reducing wear and friction in a kinetic component and, depending on the speed of the moving parts within that component and the resulting heat that it produces, greases can change in thickness and viscosity. As heat and speed increase, viscosity decreases – making a lubricant thinner than it is when a customer buys it off of the shelf. This is why greases are made with certain thickeners that help maintain the necessary viscosity, consistency and structural stability that allow it to effectively protect and lubricate the machine’s components. The value of these thickeners cannot be overstated. They allow greases to withstand extreme conditions, such as high temperatures, heavy loads and even corrosive environments. One of the most popular thickeners used to produce greases to date is lithium. However, as mentioned, grease manufacturers’ ability to reliably source lithium for their greases in the future is now in question. With that in mind, many grease producers are streamlining their lines of products to produce greases and lubricants that provide the same protection without the use of lithium. The challenge lies in concocting a formula with new ingredients that meets the same OEM specifications for heat and speed. While challenging, the industry has already demonstrated that new thickener compounds can produce similar, or even better performance than past greases, and create products that enhance the efficiency, reliability, and lifespan of machinery. After all, necessity is the mother of invention. Identifying new raw material sources Some OEMs may highly recommend certain compounds such as a lithium-based grease for a given machine, despite the high demand for it elsewhere in the market. Even if new compounds like calcium sulfonate have demonstrated higher performance capabilities than lithium complex and do not require additives to meet performance requirements, users may wish to stick with lithium-based greases while they are still available. Because this demand still exists, grease manufacturers are getting creative with how they can obtain the raw materials they need. Recently, new techniques have come to light to recycle materials from oil and gas reservoirs formerly thought of as waste and extract lithium, and other high-demand resources. This technique is known as direct lithium extraction, and it stems from new technologies developed by lithium mining companies to get their hands on lithium however they can – even if it comes from the brine of oil reserves that is harvested when extracting oil. In the past, companies have simply discarded the brine that wasn’t useful to produce oil, but now mining companies and lithium producers alike see this new harvesting technique as a growing way to obtain valuable lithium when it is needed. Adapting to a changing landscape Some of the other strategies grease manufacturers should consider when producing greases that will stand the test of time (and the supply chain) include: • Diversification of compounds. As mentioned in relation to lithium, relying on a single source for raw materials can be risky in a volatile raw materials market. Exploring alternative thickeners derived from sourceable materials, such as bio-based alternatives or recycled materials, can help reduce dependence on resources that are either competitive or limited, and mitigate supply chain disruptions. • Collaboration with suppliers and customers. Most grease manufacturers engage in partnerships with suppliers so they can facilitate the development of sustainable solutions that align with their customers’ needs. These partnerships are fundamental to the product development process, as working together with buyers enables the suppliers to enhance their product’s availability and reliability; in addition to sharing knowledge and resources that can help customers protect their industrial equipment. • Agile supply chain management. Embracing technology-driven approaches like advanced analytics and automation can help optimize supply chain operations and predict where disruptions may occur before they happen. By improving visibility into the supply chain with strategies like product demand forecasting and analytics-assisted inventory management, manufacturers can increase their exposure to potential problems and more effectively mitigate disruptions to ensure they’re producing a steady flow of their products into the market. As the demand for greases and lubricants continues at a steady pace, and demand for raw materials like lithium grows drastically, manufacturers must adapt to ensure the availability of their products today and in the future. By optimizing grease formulations with new thickeners and exploring alternative, sustainable materials that also meet OEM heat and speed specifications, manufacturers can address the growing scarcity of resources like lithium and give customers the solutions they need. By embracing collaboration, streamlining product offerings and implementing agile supply chain management practices, manufacturers will overcome these disruptions and pave the way for a sustainable and reliable future.