Guide to Biodegradable Oils

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• 19th September 2005
• Materials Handling
 

Fuchs Lubricants (UK) plc, part of the worldwide FUCHS PETROLUB AG, is well respected as the world leader in biodegradable lubricant technology. FUCHS has been working developing the environmentally friendly PLANTO range since the late 1970's, long before many of its competitors, and as a testament to the quality of FUCHS PLANTO products, many carry the coveted "Blue Angel" environmental seal of approval.

The range of PLANTO lubricants is based on either natural harvestable raw materials, such as rapeseed and sunflower oil or synthetic ester alternatives. This is not a pseudonym for poor quality though, the technical performance of these products, far outstrip those of conventional mineral oil based lubricants, offering users numerous benefits such longer life at elevated temperatures and reduced power consumption on equipment.

Fuchs PLANTO products are well respected already in industry and prestigious customers include the Eden Project. The Eden Project, one of the UK’s most popular visitor attractions, is working with Fuchs Lubricants (UK) on a project that uses only PLANTO crop based lubricants for the construction equipment used for its new Education Resource Centre.

For the building of the new exhibition area, The Eden Project has teamed up with Fuchs Lubricants (UK), and their contractors, such as McAlpine, to convert equipment from mineral oil to the Fuchs PLANTO range of biodegradable lubricants. The Eden Project, near St. Austell in Cornwall, attracts almost 2 million visitors a year and has become famous for its enormous "Biomes", which recreate the world's tropical, arid and temperate ecosystems.  Known as the eighth wonder of the world, it aims to promote understanding and awareness of the relationship that exists between the earth's plants, people and resources and recently hosted part of the Live 8 concerts.

It has now become a global centre of environmental knowledge and the second phase of its development, Big Build 2, will concentrate on the building of an Education Resource Centre, which will be used as an inspirational hub for events, workshops and exhibitions. To further demonstrate the many applications and benefits of plants, and in particular, how lubricants can be made from crops, the PLANTO products used in the centre’s erection will also feature in a major forthcoming exhibition at Eden.

The 'Plants for Tomorrow's Industries' exhibition is strongly supported by the Government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and will highlight the environmental and sustainable development benefits of using plant oils over mineral oils.

FUCHS supply a full range of biodegradable lubricants, including hydraulic, gear and engine oils as well as specialist greases, metalworking fluids and chain bar lubricants.  To detail the range, FUCHS UK has just published a comprehensive "Guide to Biodegradable Lubricants", an invaluable source of product recommendations and application advice, which can be requested from FUCHS UK (Tel: 08701 200400) or via the FUCHS UK website – www.fuchslubricants.com

Associated Links

• Hub-4 Profile of Fuchs Lubricants (UK) plc
• Fuchs Lubricants (UK) plc Company Website