Source: Sinochem News

　　From October 11 to 14, the 23rd National Lubricating Grease Technology Exchange Conference, themed "Technological Innovation and Green, Low-Carbon Development," was held in Chongqing.

　　"Our industry is at a new historical juncture: driven primarily by artificial intelligence, marked by a new energy revolution, and shaped by intensifying geopolitical competition among major powers—these factors are profoundly reshaping every sector, presenting fresh challenges for the development of the grease industry." In her opening remarks, Zhao Xiaomin, Deputy Director of Sinopec Petrochemical Research Institute Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as the Petrochemical Research Institute), highlighted that China's annual grease production has consistently accounted for more than 33% of the global total for many years. The country has established a relatively complete grease industry system, characterized by an extensive range of grease varieties, comprehensive analytical and product standards, independently designed and manufactured testing and production equipment, and the capability to meet nearly all application needs within the mechanical industry. She expressed her hope that enterprises and the industry will closely align their efforts with national priorities and development goals, swiftly integrating into the broader process of achieving the "dual carbon" targets. In particular, she urged the industry to accelerate its transition toward high-quality growth, continuously advancing innovation in lubrication theory, product development, and application practices. Simultaneously, she emphasized the importance of fostering sustainable progress across the entire industry—from optimizing raw material sourcing to reduce carbon emissions and enhance environmental friendliness, to improving energy efficiency in manufacturing processes, and refining product performance. Moreover, she stressed the need for companies to remain steadfastly committed to lawful and compliant operations, embracing innovative ideas, methodologies, and technologies to expedite product iteration cycles. By doing so, they can deliver high-performance, cutting-edge grease products and technical solutions tailored to support the development of China's emerging machinery and advanced equipment. Ultimately, this will help elevate the global standing of China's grease industry, strengthening the influence of "Made in China" and Chinese brands on the international stage. Through these concerted efforts, the industry will play a pivotal role in driving China's fundamental transformation from a grease production powerhouse to a technological leader, making significant contributions to the nation's long-term economic and industrial advancement.

　　Speech by Wayne Mackwood, President of the National Lubricating Grease Institute (NLGI) and Global Technical Director for Detergents and Lubricants at Lanxess.

　　The conference featured 14 specially invited keynote speeches, 56 submitted academic papers, and 41 PPT presentations, showcasing abundant achievements and delivering compelling content.

　　Guo Xiaochuan, Advisor of the Grease Group under the Petroleum Refining Branch of the China Petroleum Society, delivered the "Annual Work Report" and, on behalf of the Lubricant Grease Specialized Committee (hereinafter referred to as the Grease Specialized Committee) of the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation, introduced the "Initiative on Prohibiting the Use of Chlorinated Paraffins in Lubricating Greases."

　　Professor Zhang Jianrong from the Institute of Rock Mechanics delivered a keynote report titled "Research on the Influence of Lubricant Additives on Micro-Pitting Corrosion."

　　Li Qichang, the former Secretary-General of the Special Committee, provided an interpretation of the "Policy Assessment Report on Pollutant Emissions and Environmental Management in the Lubricating Grease Industry."

　　Senior Engineer Yao Lidan from the Institute of Rock Mechanics delivered a keynote report titled "Analysis of China and Global Grease Production in 2024."

　　The keynote speeches delivered by other renowned experts from home and abroad cover a wide range of topics, spanning both macro-level and cutting-edge issues such as development opportunities in the low-altitude economy, as well as specialized areas like critical technologies for offshore wind turbine bearings, research on the impact of additive-induced micro-pitting, and lubrication mechanisms under extreme operating conditions. Additionally, the presentations pay close attention to practical applications, including environmental regulations, carbon footprint certification, and related implementation practices.

　　Shell and Volkswagen have both refined energy conservation and carbon reduction into quantifiable, measurable indicators, providing significant inspiration for the industry's green transformation.

　　This conference featured in-depth and constructive discussions on cutting-edge topics, including new materials development, energy-saving and cost-reduction strategies for industrial lubricants, green process innovation, the exploration of artificial intelligence, the promising prospects of robotics, and wear mechanisms in wind turbine gearbox bearings. Participants delved deeply into key issues such as "the synergistic complementarity between sulfonates and polyureas, the optimal combination of short- and long-chain carbon structures, and the screening and optimization of conversion agents." Moreover, molecular simulations were employed to analyze dispersion forces, while AI-driven approaches were explored to refine formulation processes. Innovative ROF+ testing methodologies were also showcased, alongside rigorous water pressure tests conducted on shield tail seals. Leading manufacturers openly shared their most advanced products and technologies with peers, fostering open collaboration and mutual learning to drive continuous improvement across the industry.

　　The meeting also hosted a Lubricating Grease Technology Exchange Forum. The forum was chaired by Liu Qinglian, Advisor of the Lubricating Grease Group under the Petroleum Refining Branch of the China Petroleum Society.

　　A joint meeting of the Lubricating Grease Professional Committee of the Petroleum Refining Branch of the Chinese Petroleum Society and the Steering Committee of the Lubricating Grease Professional Committee of the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation was also held concurrently with the conference.

　　Sun Hongwei, Deputy Director of the Grease Group under the Petroleum Refining Branch of the China Petroleum Society, highlighted in the closing summary of the conference that this event provided a comprehensive exploration of the latest theories, technologies, methodologies, and applications in the grease industry. He described it as a truly remarkable feast of knowledge, injecting powerful momentum and Chinese wisdom into our collective efforts to navigate industry transformations and overcome the critical challenges hindering the advancement of lubrication materials.

　　This conference was hosted by the Petroleum Refining Branch of the China Petroleum Society, with co-organization from the Lubricant Grease Professional Committee of the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation. A total of 384 representatives from 199 domestic and international organizations attended the event, including Sinopec, PetroChina, CNOOC, the Research Institute of Petroleum Processing, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tsinghua University, the National Institute of Metrology, research institutions specializing in land, sea, and air sectors, as well as industry leaders such as Shell, Mobil, Castrol, Fuchs, and DuPont. The conference concluded successfully.