Biosynthetic Technologies to start estolides production from pilot plant

Biosynthetic Technologies will start production of estolides, a new class of synthetic base oils that can be produced from renewable materials, from a pilot plant by August.
“Estolides will be positioned and [will] compete with synthetic esters and PAO base-oil categories,” said Bruce Marley, senior vice president, sales and marketing, based in Irvine, Calif., U.S.A.
Current performance data indicate that estolides demonstrate exceptional results in the areas of oxidative stability, hydrolytic stability, volatility, biodegradability and renewable carbon content, he said.
According to Biosynthetic Technologies, estolides have higher viscosity indices (VI) than nearly any other base oil. Higher VI base oils provide increased film thickness at elevated temperatures, resulting in better protection and potentially lower wear, it said. At lower temperatures, high VI base oils reduce viscous drag on moving parts, leading to higher horsepower and increased energy efficiency.