Visit the Kluber Lubrication GB web site

New plant expands rolling oils capabilities

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Dec 4, 2006

Shell Lubricants has opened a state-of-the-art rolling oils production facility in Dortmund, Germany.

Shell Lubricants has opened a state-of-the-art rolling oils production facility in Dortmund, Germany to develop and produce rolling oils, thus incorporating proven controlled particle size (CPS) technology to meet the ever increasing demands of the metals industry.

This new facility will enable Shell lubricants companies to provide a one-stop-shop for the metals industry, offering high quality factory plant maintenance (FPM) lubricants, speciality greases and rolling oils, on a global basis.

Roger Moulding, Vice President Specialities for Shell Lubricants commented: "Shell lubricants companies are now able to provide a full range of proven rolling oils and associated products including protectives".

"These specialist products add to Shell's comprehensive range of speciality greases and factory plant maintenance lubricants and allow us to meet the entire lubrication requirements of metals operators".

Following the acquisition of Croda Chemicals International's (CCI) rolling fluid and production engineering business in January 2006, Shell Lubricants has now successfully integrated CCI's range of rolling oils into its metals product portfolio.

As well as producing Croda specification rolling oils, the new facility will house a product development team that will continue to upgrade and extend the rolling oils portfolio.

Shell's current range of rolling oils (incorporating Croda specification rolling oils) already delivers a number of financial, productivity and environmental benefits to customers.

Current customers enjoy significant cost savings due to increased roll life, reduced power consumption, reduced oil consumption and subsequent disposal costs.

Customers have also experienced productivity and environmental improvements through reduced downtime, excellent load reductions and lower usage of rolling oils and cleaner waste products.

The production of rolling oils at the new facility is further proof of Shell's commitment to the primary metals industry.

Shell lubricants companies are already major suppliers of lubricants and lubricant related services to many of the largest steel houses worldwide and have strong relationships with a number of major Original Equipment Manufacturers and key industry associations.

In the last 12 months, Shell Lubricants have introduced a number of products aimed at helping metals operators to increase productivity and reduce downtime including a specialist product for use in steel mill bearing oil circulating systems (Shell Morlina SD) and a revitalised range of mineral and synthetic industrial gear oils (Shell Omala, Shell Omala HD and Shell Tivela S).

"In addition to the one-stop-shop range of lubricants, metals operators will in future be able to benefit from having access to Shell lubricants experts at a local level to assist in reducing downtime and increasing productivity", said Moulding.