Biobased Lubricant Additives


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As environmental concerns continue to grow, vegetable oils are finding their way into total-loss lubricants for military applications and outdoor activities such as forestry, mining, railroads, dredging, fishing and agricultural hydraulic systems.

Lubricants based on vegetable oils offer significant environmental benefits as well as providing satisfactory performance in a wide array of applications. Government initiatives combined with advances in the technology of bio-based lubricants are expected to expand the market for such products.

FUNCTIONAL additives improve the performance of commercially available bio-based industrial oils such as hydraulic fluids, biodegradable oils for heavy equipment, bio-based drip fluid for agricultural equipment and even some mineral oil-based lubricants for high-temperature applications.

Additional Information

Frequently Asked Questions About Biobased Additives

1. What are biobased lubricant additives?

They are polymer or ester-based additives designed to improve the performance of biobased, biodegradable, or EAL (Environmentally Acceptable Lubricant) formulations.

2. Are Functional Products’ biobased additives themselves biodegradable?

Not always — the formulated lubricant is biodegradable; the additive’s role is to enhance biodegradable oil performance without introducing toxicity or persistence. FUNCTIONAL branded additives can be varying degrees or biobased or biodegradable on their own.

3. What programs regulate biobased lubricants?

Major frameworks include the USDA BioPreferred, European Ecolabel (LuSC), US EPA Cleangredients, and US Vessel General Permit (VGP) programs.

4. What is the European Ecolabel LuSC list?

It’s the Lubricant Substance Classification list — a database of pre-approved, tested, and non-toxic components that meet biodegradation and aquatic safety standards.

5. What is the difference between “biobased” and “biodegradable”?

Biobased refers to renewable carbon content (ASTM D6866), while biodegradable means the product breaks down naturally, typically measured via OECD 301B (>60% = readily biodegradable).

6. Do Functional Products’ biobased additives meet Ecolabel standards?

Yes — many are LuSC-listed (on the Lubricant Substance Classification whitelist) for use in certified EAL lubricants under specific ranges of allowable treat rates.

7. Are any products NSF HX-1 approved for incidental food contact?

Yes — V-508, V-584, CI-426, V-732, and DM-400 meet NSF HX-1 standards.

8. Where are Functional Products’ biobased additives made?

All are designed and manufactured in Macedonia, Ohio (USA) under ISO 9001:2015 (with design) certification.

9. What makes Functional’s biobased technology unique?

Unlike simple vegetable oil blends, Functional develops polymer-based additives that deliver petroleum-like stability and performance at competitive cost.

10. What do viscosity modifiers (VMs) do in biobased lubricants?

They increase film thickness and viscosity index, ensuring stable flow at high and low temperatures.

11. What are the main Functional biobased VMs?

V-515, V-521, and V-508, each engineered for different viscosity targets and applications.

12. What is FUNCTIONAL V-515 used for?

A high molecular weight, tacky VM ideal for bar & chain oils, rock drill oils, and total loss greases.

13. What makes FUNCTIONAL V-521 different?

A low pour point, shear-stable VM for HETG/HEES hydraulic fluids and mobile municipal or all-weather lubricants.

14. What is FUNCTIONAL V-508?

A versatile, high-temperature VM for synthetic esters and PAGs, offering NSF HX-1 approval and LuSC listing.

15. Can VMs also act as tackifiers or antimisting agents?

Yes — V-515 provides both tack and mist suppression in high-speed lubricants.

16. What treat rates are typical?

2–10 wt% for viscosity building and 1–3 wt% for tack enhancement.

17. Are the biobased VMs Ecolabel-listed?

Yes — all major V-series VMs appear on the LuSC whitelist for Ecolabel formulations.

18. Do biobased viscosity modifiers affect pour point?

V-521 is optimized to minimize pour point impact, maintaining fluidity in low-temperature oils.

19. Why use tackifiers in biobased lubricants?

They improve film cling and anti-sling performance in total loss systems like chainsaws, wire ropes, and forestry lubricants.

20. What is FUNCTIONAL V-584?

A vegetable oil-based tackifier designed for natural and synthetic esters, offering >60% biodegradability and NSF HX-1 approval.

21. What is FUNCTIONAL V-572?

A concentrated high-viscosity tackifier that also boosts thickening efficiency in biobased greases. It’s a highly multipurpose thickener for biobased chainsaw and saw guide oils.

22. What is FUNCTIONAL V-188P2?

A biodegradable OCP tackifier for polyalphaolefin (PAO) or biobased PAO systems, with Ecolabel and NSF HX-1 status. This supports EAL formulas based on the “PAO and related” or “PR” ISO fluid designation.

23. Which tackifier is best for H1 food-grade lubricants?

V-584 and V-188P2 — both are HX-1 approved and compatible with EAL formulations.

24. Can biobased tackifiers reduce mist?

Yes — high molecular weight tackifiers such as V-515 and V-584 also serve as antimisting polymers.

25. What typical treat rates apply?

0.5–3 wt%, depending on viscosity target and base oil.

26. Are tackifiers compatible with synthetic esters and PAGs?

Yes — our technical team can direct you to the proper tackifier for vegetable oil, complex ester, and PAG base stocks.

27. Are any tackifiers USDA BioPreferred?

While not directly certified, their biobased content exceeds 60%, meeting typical USDA standards. We’d be glad to submit our products for USDA review as needed.

28. Do tackifiers affect biodegradability or toxicity?

No — all V-500 Series tackifiers are non-toxic and approved for EAL use.

29. What do pour point depressants (PPDs) do?

They prevent wax crystallization in vegetable and ester base oils, extending low-temperature operability.

30. What are the key biobased PPDs from Functional?

PD-585, PD-555C, and PD-564.

31. What makes PD-585 special?

A PMA polymer PPD effective in soy, canola, and fatty esters, listed under LuSC and EPA Cleangredients.

32. What is PD-555C used for?

A low-viscosity, low-treat PPD ideal for semi-synthetic blends of vegetable and Group III oils, or more saturated vegetable oils.

33. What about PD-564?

Formulated for estolide and bio-PAO base fluids, reducing pour point without affecting viscosity. These types of PPD affect the crystallization of the synthetic base fluid molecules rather than acting on the crystallization of wax impurities.

34. Can PD-585 also act as a VM?

Yes — at 2–10%, it functions as a shear-stable PMA viscosity modifier in ester oils.

35. Are biobased PPDs Ecolabel or Cleangredients listed?

PD-585 is both Ecolabel LuSC and EPA Cleangredients approved.

36. What are the typical treat rates?

0.25–1 wt% for pour point control; 2–5 wt% for viscosity boost.

37. Which PPD is best for full ester systems?

PD-564, optimized for synthetic estolide and HEES lubricants.

38. Do PPDs reduce biodegradability?

No — Functional’s PMA chemistry maintains readily biodegradable performance.

39. What are Eco and EAL additive packages?

They are pre-formulated blends that simplify Ecolabel-compliant lubricant design.

40. What are key Eco Packages?

BC-15, CI-426EP, GA-533, HF-580, RD-540, RD-540CP, SGP-567, WA-60SF.

41. Which are registered on the LuSC list?

GA-533, HF-595, SGP-563, DF-400, and DM-400.

42. What makes HF-595 unique?

An Ecolabel-listed ashless AW/R&O hydraulic package, designed for HEES and HETG fluids.

43. What is the difference between Eco-Friendly and EAL packages?

Eco-Friendly = low-hazard, reduced labeling.
EAL = certified biodegradable and low-toxicity under LuSC.

44. Are Functional’s EAL packages marine-approved?

Yes — they meet US EPA VGP requirements for marine and offshore lubricants.

45. What do DF-400 and DF-500 do?

Both are Ecolabel-listed defoamers; DF-500 targets vegetable and fatty esters, while DF-400 suits PAO and mineral oils.

46. What does DM-400 provide?

A LuSC-listed demulsifier, NSF HX-1 approved for EAL lubricants.

47. What is SGP-563 used for?

A 1.5 wt% Ecolabel forestry/saw guide package, excellent for chainsaws and bar oils.

48. What is GA-533?

A 4 wt% Ecolabel EP gear and rock drill additive package, suitable for closed gear or air tool oils.

49. What does “EAL” mean?

Environmentally Acceptable Lubricant — defined by biodegradability, low toxicity, and non-bioaccumulation under VGP and Ecolabel rules.

50. What are PLL, ALL, and TLL classifications?

Partial, Accidental, and Total Loss Lubricants — categories in Ecolabel for environmental risk based on use (e.g., hydraulic vs. chain oil).

51. What biodegradation levels are required?

At least >75% readily biodegradable for TLL (total loss) fluids per Ecolabel criteria.

52. What are toxicity limits for Ecolabel components?

Aquatic toxicity must be >100 mg/L (D-rated) for fish, algae, and invertebrates.

53. Do additives need to be on the LuSC list to make an Ecolabel claim?

Yes — only LuSC-approved components can be counted as Ecolabel-compliant.

54. How does Ecolabel relate to US EPA VGP?

European Ecolabel compliance automatically qualifies under the US VGP as a recognized EAL program.

55. What are Cleangredients-approved additives?

EPA Cleangredients lists safe, low-toxicity components for environmentally preferable lubricants, including PD-585.

56. What base oils qualify for Ecolabel fluids?

Vegetable oils, esters (adipate, polyol, complex, estolide), biobased PAOs, and PAGs.

57. What is a LuSC “EEL Rating”?

Each listed component receives a biodegradation and toxicity grade, e.g., “100% A/100% D” = readily biodegradable, non-toxic.

58. How can formulators verify Ecolabel compliance?

Check the LuSC component list or request certification data from Functional Products Inc.

59. What are biobased base oils?

Renewable triglycerides (vegetable oils) or synthetic esters made from plant or natural feedstocks.

60. What synthetic base stocks does Functional offer?

V-732 (EPO) and V-705 (proprietary polyolefin) — high VI and shear-stable base stocks. V-732 and the ethylene-propylene-oligomers favor high temperature gear oils while V-705 favors low temperature hydraulics.

61. What are polymeric ester base stocks like V-5019 and V-5048?

High-viscosity, biodegradable polymer esters (up to 75% biobased content and 71% biodegradability) for heavy duty lubricants and greases.

62. Can V-732 or V-705 be blended into biobased oils?

Yes — they build viscosity and shear stability without compromising biodegradability.

63. How should vegetable oils be stabilized?

Add 0.5–1.5 wt% phenolic antioxidant and 1.0 wt% PPD for storage and cold protection.

64. What is “semi-synthetic” biobased lubricant formulation?

A blend of vegetable oils and synthetic esters to balance cost, oxidation stability, and biodegradability.

65. What vegetable oils are preferred for biobased lubes?

High-oleic soybean and canola oils for oxidative stability and pour point control.

66. How should biobased additives be blended?

Warm base oil to 60–80°C with stirring, add additive slowly, and introduce defomer last to preserve function.

67. What treat rates are typical for additive packages?

1–3% for full packages; 0.05–1% for performance boosters like defoamers and PPDs.

68. Where can I get samples or data sheets?

Contact us to start a project or read our TDS/SDS documents in the Literature section.