The EU Ecolabel specification is the premium approval to be obtained for environmentally acceptable lubricants (EAL). The EPA Vessel General Permit (VGP) 2013 requires that all ships over 79 feet use EAL lubricants in all ship-sea interfaces. EAL lubricants must meet requirements for biodegradability, non-bioaccumulation, low toxicity, and renewable content for Ecolabel. Both Ecolabel and VGP will be renewed and updated in 2018. This presentation will review these specifications and discuss the changes and challenges from the lubricant formulator’s point of view.
Dr. Paula Vettel is Technical Director, Formulations and Regulatory, at Novvi LLC. She has a Ph.D in Organic Chemistry from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She had 11 years of experience with Amoco Petroleum Additives in the research and development of engine oil additives and formulation development and 16 years research experience with D.A. Stuart Company in the areas of automotive and industrial gear oils, hydraulic fluids, straight oils, forging compounds, and mining hydraulic fluids. She has been with Novvi LLC in Emeryville, California, U.S.A., for eight years, developing new industrial and automotive lubricants using renewable synthetic base oils. Paula is an active member of ASTM, STLE, SAE, and ACS.
