New Environmentally Acceptable Gear Oil for Tunnel Thrusters

Kl?ber Lubrication, a worldwide manufacturer of specialty lubricants, has introduced Klüberbio EG 2-68, an environmentally acceptable 68 cSt viscosity gear oil. This new biodegradable gear oil has been designed to meet the specifications of leading thruster OEMs – particularly in smaller size thrusters such as tunnel thrusters. Klüber Lubrication will showcase Klüberbio EG 2-68 and its line of marine-specific lubricants at booth #1463 during the International WorkBoat Show, Dec. 3-5 at the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.

With the addition of Klüberbio EG 2-68 to its existing line of Klüberbio EG gear oils, Klüber Lubrication now has a complete offering for virtually all type, size and manufacturer of thrusters. Klüberbio EG oils, a series of readily biodegradable gear oils especially for thrusters and rudder propellers, are based on synthetic ester oil.

Klüberbio EG 2 oils contain more than 90 percent of renewable raw materials. Their biodegradability is 28 days according to the OECD 301 F test. Klüberbio EG 2 oils are non-toxic to marine organisms, bear the European Ecolabel and comply with the requirements of the 2013 Vessel General Permit defined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)[1] for classification as an Environmentally Acceptable Lubricant (EAL). Klüberbio EG 2 oils are compatible with standard elastomers made of NBR and FKM of leading propeller shaft sealing manufacturers.

“Klüberbio EG 2-68, along with the other oils in this series, offers a high scuffing load capacity to protect the gear teeth against damage even at high peak loads,” explains Dirk Fabry, business development manager - marine, oil & gas, Klüber Lubrication. "As the oil is resistant to oxidation and hydrolysis, it offers a significantly longer service life than other EALs. Consequently, oil change intervals are extended and maintenance and disposal costs reduced."

[1] Appendix A of the US EPA VGP (Vessel General Permit) 2013.