API develops lubricant carbon footprint standard
On March 14, during F+L Week 2025 in Bali, Indonesia, Dennis Bachelder, senior engineer at the American Petroleum Institute (API), outlined the organisation’s ongoing efforts to develop a standardised methodology for calculating the carbon footprints of lubricants. This initiative aims to provide a consistent, industry-wide approach to evaluating the environmental impact of lubricants.
Bachelder informed the audience that API is assembling a workgroup of subject matter experts to contribute to the project. This group will draw on the expertise of those who previously worked on the API Technical Report (TR) 1533, Lubricants Life Cycle Assessment and Carbon Footprinting – Methodology and Best Practice, published in 2023. The technical report represented the first step in a longer process toward establishing a formal API standard. Additionally, the workgroup will include individuals with hands-on experience in lubricant blending plants. An oversight committee is to be established to track progress throughout the development process.
Carbon emissions from cradle to gate
Bachelder emphasised that the current effort focuses specifically on the carbon footprint, which is being separated from broader lifecycle analysis efforts. The methodology will concentrate on carbon emissions from “cradle to gate”—the emissions from raw material extraction through to logistics and delivery to the customer. While cradle-to-grave considerations will not be included, they were considered in the carbon footprinting analysis.
A white paper has been developed to set boundaries for the carbon footprinting framework. The white paper defines the project’s scope, offers normative references, and provides key principles that will guide the work. This paper was submitted to the World Business Council’s Strategic Committee on Evaluation for review and validation.
A methodology for lube blending plants
During his presentation on Standard Setting for Lubricant Sustainability and Carbon Footprinting, Bachelder outlined the primary goal: to create a methodology that lubricant blending facilities can adopt quickly and easily. The framework will rely on data either available directly from the blending plants or credible, specific data on energy usage and its associated carbon impact. The methodology will also account for any efforts to reduce or abate the carbon footprint during the production process.
Carbon footprint reporting will provide a total greenhouse gas emissions figure, along with a breakdown of fossil fuel emissions. Bachelder explained that reporting will be done by company, identifying the company name as well as the specific product name.
Bachelder encouraged those interested in the initiative to reach out to API for the opportunity to get involved.
