Green lubricants to revolutionize the steel industry's climate impact
Research at Luleå University of Technology paves the way for fossil-free alternatives that could reduce the environmental impact and energy consumption of steel production.
Lubricants are an invisible yet essential part of steel production. They keep machines running, reduce friction, and extend the lifespan of equipment. However, over 95 percent of today’s lubricants are fossil-oil-based, posing a significant challenge to the steel industry’s transition toward carbon neutrality. At Luleå University of Technology, researchers are working to develop green and fossil-free alternatives that could transform the future of the industry.
“Lubricants are often an invisible yet crucial part of industrial processes. Making them fossil-free could have a profound impact on both the environment and energy consumption,” says Yijun Shi, Professor of Machine Elements at Luleå University of Technology.
Yijun Shi, Professor of Machine Elements at Luleå University of Technology.
As part of the FINAST project (Research and Innovation in Norrbotten for Advanced Green Steel Production and Manufacturing), fossil-free solutions are now being explored to replace traditional mineral-oil-based lubricants. The project includes mapping the lubrication needs of the steel industry, lab testing green lubricants, and conducting pilot tests in full-scale industrial environments. The goal is to develop sustainable solutions that meet the industry's technical requirements while reducing its climate footprint.
“We start by identifying the areas where green lubricants can replace traditional products without compromising performance,” Yijun Shi explains.
To evaluate their potential, the new lubricants are tested at the component level, focusing on tribological performance – how moving surfaces interact. Additional environmental and safety studies will clarify how fossil-free alternatives can improve workplace conditions and reduce emissions.
“These tests are essential to demonstrate to the industry that sustainable alternatives can perform as well as, if not better than, today’s products,” Yijun Shi concludes.
The project is a crucial step in the steel industry’s journey toward carbon neutrality and is supported by the EU’s Just Transition Fund and Tillväxtverket. If successful, green lubricants could play a significant role in reducing the fossil footprint of steel production.
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