High performance lubricants
LUBRITECH: High performance lubricants for special applications
With FUCHS LUBRITECH GmbH, a division was founded back in 1951 that focuses on development and production of high-performance lubricants and release agents for highly specialized applications.
The product portfolio encompasses:
- High performance lubricants for open transmissions, bearings or furnaces in the cement and mining industries
- Low-temperature greases for arctic environments
- NSF H1-registered lubricants for the food industry, which also comply with the strictest halal and kosher requirements
- Bearing greases for highly economical long-term lubrication of wind energy plants
- Metal forming lubricants for the best parts quality in the forging industry
- Temperature-stable lubricants in the steel industry
- Efficient release agents in the refractory industry
- Environmentally friendly and noise-reducing lubricants in the rail transport sector
- Concrete release agents, as well as special greases for effective operation of machinery and equipment in the construction industry and for many other industrial applications
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The high level of innovative power is a key driving force in the FUCHS business model. FUCHS excels through its above industry-average speed of innovation and high degree of specialization. The objective is to continuously develop the potential of lubricants; that is, increasing efficiency as well as prolonging product lifecycles, developing multifunctional lubricants and innovative products for new technical and regulatory requirements and improving energy, process and cost efficiency. At the same time, we are committed to sustainable objectives and the aspiration to develop lubricant solutions that contribute to conservation of the environment and resources.
Great emphasis is therefore placed on research and development in the FUCHS Group. The company currently has more than 600 ongoing research and development projects that aim to evaluate the potential of new technologies such as nanotechnologies or minimum quantity lubrication. These projects are supported by around 400 engineers and scientists at 25 laboratory locations throughout the world. Approximately 10 % of the laboratory employees work in the field of research and development – and FUCHS continuously invests in the further expansion of its technical and personnel capacities. The ultra-modern Technology Center at the headquarters in Mannheim coordinates the international network of experts, brings together expertise and supports knowledge transfer on global requirements.
Research and development geared to the requirements of our customers
FUCHS engages in application-oriented development directly at and in cooperation with the customer with the aim of adapting lubricants optimally to the process and machine-related requirements. In addition to this, FUCHS attaches great importance to basic research and maintains commitments in interdisciplinary research projects and partnerships with universities, academic institutions, biotechnology companies and customers such as OEMs. FUCHS has extensive laboratory and simulation capacities. Product developments are accompanied by intensive series of tests. All lubricants used in the medical engineering sector are subjected to tests for cytotoxicity and any potential damage to cells and tissues. FUCHS is one of the few lubricant manufacturers that performs tests of this kind.
FUCHS is a global Group with German roots that has developed, produced and sold lubricants and related specialties for more than 85 years – for virtually all areas of application and sectors. With 62 companies and more than 5,600 employees worldwide, the FUCHS Group is the leading independent supplier of lubricants.
The FUCHS product program comprises more than 10,000 products and related services in six key categories:
• Special Application Lubricants
• Services
FUCHS has more than 100,000 customers from the following industries: automotive suppliers, OEM, mining and exploration, metalworking, agriculture and forestry, aerospace, power generation, mechanical engineering, construction and transport, steel, metal and cement industries, food, glass production, casting, forging industry and many others.
In close contact with its customers, FUCHS develops holistic, innovative and custom-made solutions for the most diverse applications. As a lubricant manufacturer, FUCHS stands for performance and sustainability, safety, reliability, efficiency and cost savings. FUCHS represents a promise: technology that pays back.
Guaranteed customer proximity
Across Germany, a team of more than 700 specialists works to guarantee the satisfaction of our customers. Whatever their requirements, FUCHS SCHMIERSTOFFE has the ideal lubricant for their specific applications and processes. In our technology center we link interdisciplinary expertise in a quick and efficient way – and work on innovative lubricant solutions to meet the demands of today and tomorrow every single day.
| Year of foundation | 1931 |
| Address | Germany, 68169 Mannheim, Friesenheimer Straße 19 |
| Industries | R&D, production and sales of automotive lubricants, metalworking lubricants, corrosion preventives, industrial cleaners, industrial oils and greases |
| Executive board | Stefan Knapp (chairman), Jörg Vogel and Kay-Peter Wagner |
| Holding | FUCHS PETROLUB SE |
| No. of local employees | > 700 |
| Certificates | DIN EN ISO 9001:2008, ISO/TS 16949:2009, DIN EN ISO 14001:2004, BS OHSAS 18001:2007, KTA 1401 |
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FUCHS engages in intensive research together with numerous partners
The "Pegasus" project of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology is a joint research project launched in 2009 to increase energy efficiency in the passenger vehicle drive train (motor, transmission, bearings). Ten companies and institutes are researching material and lubricant solutions that promote fuel consumption savings.
Crude oil is a finite resource. Set against this background, substitutes are also required in the lubricants industry. Renewable raw materials include vegetable-based oils, such as rapeseed oil. The discussions on "food competition" from technical use of vegetable oils have led to searches for alternative raw materials that are not suitable for food or fodder production. FUCHS is therefore participating in the interdisciplinary initiative "Advanced Biomass Value" of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). This project focuses on the development of an integrated recovery chain for conversion of third generation algae and yeast-based biomass. The objective here is to produce aviation fuels, functional lubricants, and new building materials. Lipids which are contained in certain types of algae can be used to produce high-grade lubrication components.
In the BMBF research initiative "Zero Carbon Footprint", the recycling of carbon-rich waste streams is being investigated for production of functional biomass. The project aims to generate reusable materials from waste. The keyword here is waste-to-value. The carbon contained in industrial waste water, sewage sludge and flue gas is to be converted into valuable building blocks for industrial production through microorganisms that use the waste as substrates. For FUCHS, the focus of research activities lies in the field of functional base oils and additives. Complex molecules are to be gained through enzymatic modification for use as base fluids or additives.
The research alliance "Technofunctional Proteins" of the BMBF is researching the structure-function relationships of vegetable proteins that are not suitable for food and fodder production. The project is dedicated to the use of modified proteins as additives within the scope of lubricant manufacture. Proteins of this kind can be gained from agricultural waste materials.
Electric mobility also requires lubricants. The increased use of electric motors to drive individual mobility and their further development are placing new requirements on lubricants. Even if no conventional engine oils are used, electric vehicles and in particular those with high power densities still require both lubrication (for rolling bearings and transmissions) and cooling. Electric drives in automobiles therefore require new approaches, not only in an attempt to comply with specific requirements, but also to improve the overall system with new solutions. One way in which FUCHS addresses these questions is in the ongoing EU project entitled "Optimized Electric Drivetrain by Integration (ODIN)". Robert BOSCH GmbH is the coordinator of this project, and FUCHS is the lubricant partner.
Act together
In 2012, the FUCHS mission statement was developed with the objective of providing employees throughout the world with orientation for their daily actions. The model rests on three pillars, which continue to characterize the success of FUCHS to this day:
- LUBRICANTS. FUCHS focuses on lubricants and offers solutions for all requirements and fields of application in the world of lubricants.
- TECHNOLOGY. FUCHS claims technological leadership in strategically important fields of application and is acknowledged as the number one technology partner by its customers. Not only does FUCHS focus on its own lubricants, it also takes a holistic approach, paying close attention to the processes in place at its customers.
- PEOPLE. FUCHS' dedicated corporate culture, coupled with its loyal and motivated workforce, is the strategic key to its success. Our employees form the basis for this success.
Together, they describe not only our business model, but also the attitude of the entire company.
The five values of the mission statement
- Trust is the basis of our self-understanding.
- We deliver leading technology and first class service to our customers.
- Identify and create FUCHS Value Added.
- Provide space for innovation to explore new paths.
- Act with an entrepreneurial spirit.
- Empower employees with responsibility and accountability.
- We acknowledge our responsibility towards our stakeholders, society and environment.
- Show appreciation and recognition.
- Act with fairness towards our partners and employees.
- Foster an open minded discussion culture.
- We walk the talk.
- Committed to technical leadership.
- Maintain a consistent track record of performance.
- Act in a responsive and transparent way.
- We believe in a high level of ethics and adhere to our Code of Conduct.
Industrial lubricants
Whether generating and transmitting energy, reducing or transmitting driving forces, generating cooling or compressed air, or for machine tool applications and in many other areas of production, industrial lubricants have a key task to perform. Many processes only run smoothly with specially-made lubricant solutions. Safety, machinery, processes and systems in particular must be taken into consideration here. FUCHS industrial lubricants can make a significant contribution to improving productivity and efficiency as well as reducing energy consumption, for example in hydraulic systems, gear units and many other applications.
Furthermore, rapidly biodegradable lubricants from FUCHS present a real alternative to hydrocarbon-based lubricants.
German sponsorship award
FUCHS believes that every company carries a great deal of social responsibility alongside its responsibility as a business. Active involvement in tackling a wide range of social challenges is firmly anchored in our corporate culture and has a long tradition. In line with this principle and under the motto "Helping People", FUCHS has supported exemplary initiatives and projects in Mannheim's social establishments with the sponsorship award since 2000. The sponsorship award, under the patronage of the mayor of Mannheim Dr. Peter Kurz, is awarded on an annual basis. The total prize fund of €50,000 is distributed to an average of between seven and fifteen projects. The contributions are mainly to be used to support creative social projects. Charitable organizations based in Mannheim and complying with our sponsorship rules can apply for the award. The prize winners will be selected from all submitted applications together with the Work and Social department of the City of Mannheim and subsequently awarded in an official ceremony. This year's ceremony will take place on October 26, 2016.