Some companies may formulate lubricants to deliver exceptional results solely for one or two criteria. But at GS Caltex India we do not follow the same as we know that too much focus in only one area may derail the process and may negatively impact other critical performance areas says Jayanta Ray, General Manager – Industrial and OEM, GS Caltex India Pvt Ltd.

When it comes to heavy equipment used in construction and mining, how do oils and lubricants optimize the shelf life of the machine?
In general, the cost of lubricants accounts for less than 3-4 per cent of a manufacturing company’s total operational expenditure. Yet lubrication can deliver significant business value through improved system efficiency, reliable equipment protection and longer oil and equipment life.

Some companies may formulate lubricants to deliver exceptional results solely for one or two criteria. But at GS Caltex India we do not follow the same as we know that too much focus in only one area may derail the process and may negatively impact other critical performance areas. We do not develop lubricants for the sole purpose of being able to claim a high number in terms of energy efficiency or any other single attribute. We follow a balanced formulation methodology to look at all critical factors of performance and focus on formulating our lubricants to deliver optimized performance for specific applications.

Any lube oil consists of three main components: base oil, viscosity modifiers and an additive package containing friction modifiers, detergents, inhibitors to protect copper parts and emulsifiers to keep water droplets in suspension. The entire chemistry plays a role in the performance during severe operating conditions. The high-performance lubricants from GS Caltex offer ultimate reliability at all temperatures, lower oil consumption, significantly lower fuel consumption and specifically extended service intervals thereby optimising equipment life.

What are some of the factors in an equipment/machine that needs to be looked at closely to ensure the oils/lubricants offer the best results?
First, let us understand the key lubrication points in an off-highway vehicle. Lubrication areas include engines, transmissions, hydraulics, differentials and final drives, grease points, gear reducers etc. Operators of construction equipment are always looking for methods and techniques to improve quality of production which in turn improve the efficiency of operation, provide cost savings and ensure safety at the site.

Two most important factors of reliability and efficiency decide equipment availability during the life cycle of construction equipment thereby driving Total cost of ownership. For example, the high performance lubricants from GS Caltex offer you ultimate reliability at all temperatures, lower oil consumption, significantly lower fuel consumption and specifically extended service intervals. Whenever engines run freer and more reliably, operating costs are lower if only because they consume less. And just one per cent lower fuel consumption means; depending on operating conditions, fuel savings of several hundred rupees per vehicle per year.

What are some of the products you offer for the heavy equipment utilized in the mining and construction industry?
GS Caltex offers a complete portfolio of brands for the infrastructure and construction sector as below:
• Engine Oils – Kixx Platinum and dynamic range of engine oils
• Gear Oils – Kixx Geartec range of oils
• Hydraulic Oils – Kixx Hydro range of oils
• Grease – Kixx Premium Grease range

Product Benefits of Construction and Mining portfolio can be outlined as below:
• GS Caltex Kixx Range Engine Oils high-performance synthetic engine oil that can help increase engine efficiency and improve engine fuel economy compared to other engine oil grades most commonly used.
• GS Caltex Geartec branded synthetic driveline products can help to provide outstanding performance as well as to reduce mechanical energy losses.
• GS Hydro HD Series of hydraulic oils provides quantifiable increases in hydraulic equipment efficiencies and output, resulting in the potential for reduced energy consumption and operating costs.

To summarize, GS Caltex products are the reflection of the power of technology and innovation packaged into superior quality lubricants which have already benefitted many OEMs in India and abroad. Over the past few years, we have developed relations with leading construction equipment manufacturers as mentioned above as proof of our performance. 

This has contributed to our market position and guarantees the outstanding performance of GS Caltex products. Whether grease for bearings in vehicles and machinery or hydraulic oils for all sorts of applications or engine and gear oils for all the vehicles operating on construction sites – GS Caltex is the single source for the world-class lubricants.

How much of a role do you see Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative playing in rejuvenating the oils and lubricants sector?
India is the third-largest lubricants market globally, which has always attracted major MNCs from across the globe. However, India being a net importer of energy products and its technology dependency on such imports has impacted India’s economy. Recently, the government has set up an ambitious target to reduce energy import dependency by 10 per cent within 2022. Already the government has taken several measures to augment domestic oil and gas production and reduce dependency on imports for meeting the energy requirements of the country.

“Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan” is one step to make India self-reliant and oil and lubricants sector can play a major role in this initiative. Many PSUs like ONGC have asked their vendors to go local. GS Caltex since inception manufactures its products in state of art LOBP near Navi Mumbai. Such small steps will go a long way in building comprehensive energy security in India in the long run.