API to ballot technical report on Lubricants Life Cycle Assessment

The most recent API Lubricants Group Standards Meeting was held virtually on December 15, where a motion to ballot a draft copy of API Technical Report 1533 on Lubricants Life Cycle Assessment and Carbon Footprinting — Methodology and Best Practice was made. 

The motion for a 60-day ballot was proposed by Mike Alessi, technology integration manager – advocacy, at ExxonMobil. The motion was passed unanimously by members of the API Lubricants Group.

API Technical Report 1533 is the culmination of the efforts of the API Lubricant Sustainability Working Group, which was formed in June 2021. The working group comprises Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) subject matter experts (SMEs) representing API member-companies and interested parties. It was established to identify best practices for the life cycle assessment of lubricants and specialty products in the marketplace and to promote consistency across the lubricants industry. A sub-group of SMEs was involved in drafting the technical document including representatives from Chevron, ExxonMobil, Vanderbilt Chemicals, Infineum, Phillips 66, Valvoline, KleenPerformance, Afton Chemical, Lubrizol, Motiva, Novvi and Shell.

Before receiving the motion to ballot, Jeff Harmening, team lead at the American Petroleum Institute (API), provided a brief overview of the structure and content of API Technical Report 1533. The document defines six key stages of the lubricant life cycle, applicable standards, scopes for cradle-to-grave (life cycle) and cradle-to-gate, as well as methodology recommendations for the LCA of lubricants. Common challenges for lubricant LCAs and practical advice on the application of carbon footprints are also addressed. The SMEs and the Sustainability Working Group believe the technical document will be a living document that will continue to evolve as science advances. 

API will now prepare the Lubricants Group ballot, with the ballot expected to open on December 22. The deadline for responses is February 20, 2023.