As emissions norms tighten and technological advancements revolutionise off-highway equipment, GS Caltex remains at the forefront of lubrication innovation. In this interview, GS Caltex discusses its tactics for staying ahead of market trends and developing cutting-edge lubricant solutions tailored to the industry’s evolving needs.

The Indian mining and construction equipment industry is poised for significant growth in the coming years. How does GS Caltex plan to capitalise on emerging opportunities and strengthen its market presence in these sectors?

India’s construction equipment industry will probably target over US$ 4.5 billion worth of investments in the next 6-7 years as demand for infrastructure projects increases daily. With strong growth in the Indian economy in the next five years, one of the main challenges for Key Lubricant Players is to be a part of this acceleration yet act sustainably to benefit the environment and society at large. GS Caltex, one of the leading MNC Lubricants Players to support the Indian Construction and Mining segment, is well leveraging the growth potential of the demand existing in the market. One critical element of our proposition is providing high-performance lubricants and value-added services. GS Caltex finished lubes have the advantage of using highly improved KIXX LUBO Base Oils with superior characteristics necessary for efficient operations in the construction and mining industry.

With stricter emissions norms and technological advancements impacting off-highway equipment lubrication, how does GS Caltex stay ahead of market trends and develop lubricant solutions that meet the industry’s evolving requirements?

GS Caltex Kixx-branded Lubricants ensure sustainable performance in all their initiatives, which include Plastic Recycling, Energy Savings and Conservation, Responsible Sourcing, Green Logistics Partnerships, Waste Management, and Biodiversity Conservation, to name a few. A lower carbon footprint is key to sustainability. Although fuels used in the transportation sector contribute to the majority of the carbon footprint, lubricants can enable lowering fuel consumption. Therefore, lubricant manufacturers like GS Caltex are critically reviewing high-performance, climate-friendly options for their raw materials, starting with base oils.

Can you explain your initiatives to leverage advanced technologies to develop innovative lubricant products and contribute to sustainability efforts in the construction and mining sectors?

GS Caltex is partnered with developing High-Performance Kixx  Lubricants in CK4 and FA4 categories for the Indian market. GS Caltex has also made consistent R&D efforts to develop eco-friendly lubricant products to maintain engine oil performance. As a result, hybrid-specific Kixx HYBRID engine oil was launched in 2020, EV-specific Kixx EV engine oil was launched in 2021, and ‘Kixx BIO1’, Korea’s first eco-friendly engine oil made from plant-based raw materials, was launched in 2022.

GS Caltex has consistently pursued R&D and open innovation to uncover opportunities and secure differentiated technological capabilities in various fields, including hydrogen, Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU), and eco-friendly asphalt/polymer products. GS Caltex is now a fully integrated Lubricants Player that has been supporting the Indian construction and mining industry for a decade.

Can you provide insights into the technological innovations incorporated into your lubricant products to enhance equipment performance and longevity?

We have already invested in developing our PAO-based Kixx range (Kixx HDX EURO ) to meet future demands of the construction and mining sector. Product categories meeting API CK4 and API FA4 standards are also in our portfolio basket. Apart from the same, we have expanded our Hydraulic Oil portfolio to offer Extra Long Life Hydraulic Oil ( Kixx Hydro HVL  ) and Zinc Free Hydraulic Oil ( Kixx Hydro HV AF ). We have also expanded our synthetic grease portfolio to focus on Hi Temperature Grease ( Kixx Therma 2 ), Moly Grease ( Kixx Molytex 2 ), and Kixx Advance Grease range for construction and Mining Industry for various applications. All these product categories are designed to meet the extreme conditions of the mining industry and have proven testimonials across leading industries in the sector.

How do you plan to introduce environmentally friendly lubricant products?

The global market is slowly but surely witnessing a shift towards bio-based industrial lubricants. In addition to the environmental advantages, bio-based industrial lubricants provide better lubrication and viscosity.  A Leading lubricant brand, Kixx, is proud to announce the “global launch of Kixx BIO1 0W-20 fully synthetic engine oil, a robust eco-friendly formulation that combines fuel economy with outstanding engine protection and wear prevention.

Manufacturers are also focusing on sustainability measures, such as recycling and reuse of industrial lubricants, to reduce their carbon footprint. Lubricant manufacturers have also started providing their customers with onsite and offsite lubricant recycling equipment and services.

Using speciality additives and synthetic base oils, companies like GS Caltex are formulating industrial lubricants more efficiently to address environmental protection and sustainability.