Six Sustainable Solution Categories, One Structured Programme
Sustainability assessment in lubricants is complex. There is no single industry methodology that applies across all lubricant types, applications, performance requirements and environmental criteria. This can make it difficult for formulators, OEMs and procurement teams to compare options consistently or to identify where a product may offer a specific sustainability-related benefit.
The IMCD Sustainable Solutions Programme provides a structured way to classify lubricants, base oils, additives and formulation components against defined criteria. Instead of treating sustainability as an absolute claim, the programme helps identify where a product may contribute to a more sustainable formulation, supported by relevant data and category-specific requirements.
Why Sustainability Assessment in Lubricants Needs Structure
Lubricant formulation involves balancing technical performance, application conditions, regulatory requirements, raw-material availability and customer expectations. Sustainability-related considerations add another layer of complexity, particularly when different certification schemes, test methods or environmental indicators are used.
This is why general claims are not enough. A structured approach helps define which product attribute is relevant, which criteria apply and what evidence is needed. This creates a clearer basis IMCD Sustainable Solutions Programme, which translates these considerations into six Sustainable Solution categories.
The IMCD Sustainable Solutions Programme
The IMCD Sustainable Solutions Programme aims to simplify sustainability assessment by applying defined criteria, technical calculations, thresholds and supporting data.
The programme is not intended to label a product as “sustainable” in absolute terms. Instead, it identifies where a product, base oil, additive or formulation component may support a more sustainable solution in one or more specific categories.
Six Sustainable Solution Categories for Lubricants
Lubricants & Energy uses six categories to describe where a product may contribute to a more sustainable formulation approach. A product can qualify in one or more categories, depending on the supporting criteria and data available.
| Category | What qualifies — criteria and examples |
|---|---|
| Circular & Renewable | This category includes bio-based and biodegradable products, products from renewable sources, recyclable products, or products certified under recognised schemes such as ISCC. Biodegradability may be assessed against OECD 301 to 310 test methods where relevant. For lubricants, this category can be relevant to environmentally acceptable lubricants, applications with higher exposure risk, or formulations where renewable carbon content, biodegradability or certification status are part of the selection criteria. |
| Durability & Maintenance | This category includes products and formulation components that extend in-use lifetime, reduce maintenance requirements or lengthen the time to first maintenance. For finished lubricants, this can be relevant where improved durability reduces oil change frequency, supports longer service intervals or helps maintain equipment performance over time. The sustainability benefit is linked to in-use performance and should be supported by appropriate application data. |
| Emissions, Waste & Resources | This category covers raw materials and technologies that help reduce the use of scarce resources such as land or water, supported by Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) calculations. It also includes products which help to reduce the carbon footprint of the finished formulation. In lubricant applications, this may include products where reduced waste generation, lower resource intensity or improved lifecycle indicators are relevant to the customer’s selection process. |
| Material Efficiency & Innovation | This category applies to technologies that support improved formulation efficiency, including biotechnological processes, performance improvements, and formulations that achieve the required technical result with fewer or more efficient ingredients. For formulators, this may include additives or components that help simplify a formulation, reduce treat rate, improve multifunctionality or support performance with a more efficient use of raw materials. |
| People, Health & Safety | This category focuses on chemistries with improved safety or hazard profiles. It includes non-bioaccumulative, non-toxic, non-hazardous chemistries, as well as the replacement of substances of very high concern, CMR substances, PBT substances and vPvB substances. In lubricant formulation, this may include alternatives to substances under regulatory or customer review, or technologies that help reduce hazard classification while maintaining the required performance profile. |
| Productivity & Energy | This category covers products that support process improvement, higher raw-material efficiency or reduced energy consumption during manufacture or in use. In lubricant applications, this may include technologies that help reduce frictional losses, improve operating efficiency or support lower energy demand in specific equipment or process conditions. |
Where the Categories Apply in Lubricant Formulation
The Sustainable Solutions categories map onto practical routes that formulators already consider when developing or optimising lubricant formulations. These routes are not separate from performance requirements. They need to be evaluated alongside viscosity, oxidation stability, compatibility, wear protection, thermal behaviour, safety profile and application-specific standards.
The programme can be applied across different lubricant and energy-related applications, including industrial oils, greases, automotive lubricants, metalworking fluids and energy-related formulations. While the six categories provide the overall structure, detailed subcategories help further classify the portfolio against more specific criteria and data requirements. This allows each product or technology to be reviewed in relation to its formulation role, intended application and available supporting evidence.
How IMCD Supports More Sustainable Lubricant Solutions
As a speciality chemical distributor, IMCD connects supplier technologies with customer formulation needs across lubricant and energy applications. This position supports a practical role: helping customers identify products that fit defined Sustainable Solutions categories and align with their technical, regulatory and performance requirements.
For lubricant formulators, the key question is not whether a product is “sustainable” in absolute terms, but which sustainability-related criteria it supports and whether the relevant data is available. IMCD can help customers review available technologies, understand the applicable category criteria and identify where supporting evidence is needed for a specific formulation or application. This keeps sustainability-related discussions grounded and provides a clear next step for customers who want support with product selection.
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