Hybridisation is a key bridging technology for the industry on the road to net zero. To support this transition, Infineum has extensively researched the impact of hybrid operating conditions on lubricant performance and identified performance features that signify robust in-field hybrid capability. The Infineum Hybrid Test protocol evaluates lubricant performance under severe hybrid operating conditions. It provides a ‘beyond the spec’ assessment of hybrid performance for products that meet existing industry standards. The protocol is low-cost and requires less than half a gallon of oil to complete, representing a minimal contribution to waste and emissions during product development.

As the automotive industry further shifts towards full electrification, 
new requirements for vehicle fluids are emerging, from thermal management to help cool down engines or electrical conductivity properties, to gearbox lubrication for fully electric vehicles. We are leading the way in e-fluid formulation and, in 2023, we launched an enhanced portfolio for power transmission fluids, offering solutions 
for the vehicle’s entire driveline.

While progress is continuing in the development of electric vehicles, the internal combustion engine will likely remain a big part of the future of mobility in some applications and markets. Here, the development of engines running on fuels such as green hydrogen, ammonia and methanol will be key to decarbonising our transportation systems. However, the combustion of hydrogen 
for example, as compared to gasoline and diesel fuel, presents 
a different set of dynamics regarding engine hardware. Lubricant technology will need to be modified to meet the specific needs 
of these engines and may become critical to their technical and commercial success.

In an exciting move forward, in 2023 our Alternative Fuels team has developed lubricant technology for hydrogen-powered engines in the heavy-duty market. Our new technology is now commercially available and will help hydrogen engines improve pre-ignition performance.

Within the marine sector, our marine lubricants and fuels team 
have pioneered innovative solutions to enhance the application of fuels such as ammonia and methanol. This has enabled the maritime industry to advance on its path towards decarbonisation.

Infineum is exploring a large pipeline of new business opportunities at different stages of commercial and 
technical feasibility.

One of the most promising is magneto-rheological fluids, powders and greases that instantaneously and reversibly modify their rheologic properties in the presence of a magnetic field. The potential applications are diverse, including shock absorbers steering, and braking systems for automotive applications, actuators and controllers for gaming and electronics, aerospace, robotics, prosthetics, white goods, civil engineering and more.

We are also using our unique capabilities and proprietary chemistry to develop materials for lithium-ion batteries, helping to increase their energy density and decrease the cost of stored energy. These advancements hold the potential to be scaled up for commercial applications in E-mobility systems or static energy storage in the near future.