Low Temperature Solutions

Reliable Performance of Lubricants at Low Temperatures

Evonik’s pour point depressants help lubricant formulators and manufacturers to meet low temperature requirements in automotive and industrial equipment. VISCOPLEX® pour point depressants (PPDs) improve the low temperature characteristics of mineral oil and vegetable oil-based lubricants. For end users, VISCOPLEX® PPDs help ensure consistent product performance down to lowest potential operating temperatures, while lubricant manufacturers can rely on optimized solutions at competitive net treat rates across their lubricant portfolios.

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Our Product Brand

VISCOPLEX® Pour Point Depressants

VISCOPLEX® pour point depressants help overcome the most severe viscometric demands of modern lubricants by controlling the flow behavior at low temperatures. They deliver robustness across base stock groups, performance packages and applications, so vehicles, equipment can operate smoothly in any weather.

Lubricants must meet various specifications for robust low-temperature performance, whether they are engine or gear oils, hydraulic fluids, compressor oils, or transmission fluids. However, for lubricants to perform reliably over wide temperature operating ranges, maintaining fluidity in the cold is an essential design factor of the lubricant formulation.

VISCOPLEX® PPDs help meet the most severe low temperature viscosity requirements of modern lubricants, delivering robust performance across base stock groups, performance packages, and applications at cost-optimized dosage rates.

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Key Benefits

Optimized solutions with superior performance at optimized treat rates across a wide range of formulations
Extensive expertise and responsive technical support, backed by comprehensive low temperature testing capabilities in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific
Logistics flexibility through a reliable global manufacturing and distribution footprint

VISCOPLEX® PPD in Action

Illustration showing crystal growth stages with and without PPD, highlighting improved cold flow at low temperatures.

Controlled wax crystallization by VISCOPLEX® PPD results in low temperature performance of lubricants

Without adjusted low temperature properties, the waxy components in mineral oil tend to form large crystals that agglomerate and eventually fully immobilize the oil. As a result, engines and equipment are no longer lubricated adequately, which initially compromises performance and, in the worst case, cause damage and engine or equipment failure.

To prevent this, formulators add pour point depressants (PPDs) to their lubricants. These additives lowers the pour point and improve low temperature fluidity in accordance with lubricant specifications, helping to ensure an extended temperature operating window (TOW). This enables vehicles and equipment to operate smoothly at low temperatures.

Long-Standing Expertise in Pour Point Depressants

Evonik Oil Additives has a long history of experience with pour point depressants dating back to the 1930s: In 1937, one of its predecessor companies, Rohm and Haas, patented the world’s first polymeric pour point depressants based on polyalkyl methacrylates (PAMAs). Even after more than 80 years, PAMAs continue to be regarded as the best PPD chemistry available today, with a proven track record around the world.

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Today, Evonik offers a wide range of VISCOPLEX® pour point depressants and supports customers in selecting the right product for their specific requirements. Some pour point depressants offer broad applicability and are suitable for a wide range of applications. However, to achieve optimal balance of treatment rate, performance, and cost efficiency, pour point depressants should be selected according to the specific needs of each application to account for the various factors influencing low-temperature behavior.

This flexibility is based on polyalkyl methacrylates, the chemical foundation of our PPDs, combined with our experts’ decades of experience with low-temperature mechanisms and extensive application know-how in the use of PPDs. In some cases, the test methods developed by Evonik Oil Additives have become industry standards.

Reliable Performance Expanded to Renewable or Rerefined Base Oils

As efforts increase to incorporate more circular raw materials into lubricants, renewable or rerefined base oils are being used more frequently. The use of new base oils in formulations can affect low-temperature behavior. The broad range of VISCOPLEX® pour point depressants provides solutions to these emerging challenges. At the same time, Evonik continues to expand and refine its portfolio to meet evolving market requirements.

Our Promises to Formulators

Achieving the desired solution in the low temperature performance of lubricants is a major challenge, as it depends on various factors, including the base oil and additives used, the application, and its specific requirements. Our experts work closely with you to develop low-temperature solutions that effectively balance the various factors.

State-of-the-art regional technology centers and manufacturing facilities connected through a global supply network, enable us to reliably provide high-quality optimized products and solutions to customers worldwide.

Meeting the Specification of Next Generation Engine Oils According to ILSAC Specification - PPD Solutions for GF-7

ILSAC GF-7 is the next generation of gasoline-fueled passenger car engine oil specifications of North American OEMs. Based on proposed changes, this new motor oil category will raise performance standards calling for engine oil additives to contribute to fuel economy, engine cleanliness and reduced wear.

New regulations are driving the need for performance upgrades and more rigorous testing to ensure performance of both used and aged oil. The inclusion of aged oil low-temperature requirements creates another layer of sophistication that formulators must take into consideration. Together, these requirements increase the time and cost involved in developing reliable, robust engine oil that continue to perform under extreme temperature conditions. This is where Evonik is uniquely positioned to partner with formulators in developing the next generation of engine oils.
With more than 70 years of experience in developing innovative low temperature polyalkyl methacrylate (PAMA) technology, Evonik's team of experts is ready to test and formulate low-temperature solutions that comply with GF-7 requirements.

Years of extensive research and testing led to the development of the ASTM D 7528 Romaszewski Oil Bench Oxidation (ROBO) test, which helps customers evaluate PPDs and develop formulations that meet the ILSAC GF-7 specification. Work with Evonik now to help ensure that your products meet the stringent requirements of the ILSAC GF-7 specification and stay ahead of the curve as GF-8 already approaches on the horizon.

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INFOBOX

VISCOPLEX® Pour Point Depressants
Well-Equipped for New Requirements
Comprehensive Testing

The oil additives specialists at Evonik offer several series of pour point depressants, all based on PAMA chemistry. Most products in these series provide excellent shear stability, ensuring their suitability for a wide range of lubricant applications. Selected grades with a higher molecular weight also contribute to the lubricant’s viscosity.

VISCOPLEX® 1-series products are PPDs with a long history of broad applicability across a wide range of lubricant applications. In most cases, they remain an excellent and cost-effective choice.

VISCOPLEX® 10-series PPDs are designed for use in lubricants formulated with circular or renewable feedstocks. These products improve pour point performance and cold temperature storage stability of biodegradable lubricants made from vegetable oils and other bio-derived or ester-based lubricants.

New lubricant specifications and the use of varying base oil and additive compositions are prompting formulators to continuously refine their lubricant design. This means that lubricant manufacturers are evaluating and adjusting formulation components that influence the low-temperature behavior of oils. Evonik’s experts help formulators identify the optimal PPDs and treat rates for these evolving requirements.

Testing the low-temperature properties of lubricants can be a complex process, as no single test can guarantee that an oil or fluid will remain free-flowing across a wide range of conditions. Consequently, various test methods have been developed over the years, many in response to specific issues encountered in the field.

For more information, please contact us

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