Comparison of synthetic and mineral lubricant environmental impacts using the Life Cycle Assessment Methodology.

Today engine technology requires a lubricant of higher performance due to longer drain intervals, higher temperature and improved after-treatment durability and fuel economy. To meet those new requirements, new oil formulations are using more and more hydrocracked and synthetic base oils together with new additive package. We can therefore wonder how this will impact on the Life Cycle Assessment of those lubricants whose objective remains to lubricate engines during a certain period of time.

The results of this study will show that LCA is the only way to fully evaluate environmental impacts of a lubricant. In our study, we will see that a synthetic lubricant produces more Greenhouse Gases (GHG) during its production stage while during its use on the car the tendency will be inverted.