Lubricant Additives & Performance Packages

Lubricant additives and performance packages are the chemistry that turns a base oil into a finished lubricant. A base oil on its own does not resist oxidation, control wear, keep an engine clean or hold its viscosity under heat. The additive package does that, and the package is what separates a commodity oil from a product that meets an OEM specification.

INTBES supplies additive packages for engine oils, hydraulic fluids, gear oils, greases and industrial lubricants, in drum, IBC and bulk quantities. Each package is supplied with a technical data sheet and a recommended treat rate, so the blender can build a finished product against a known specification.

What a package contains

A modern package is a blend of functional components, each doing a specific job:

• Detergents and dispersants — keep deposits and soot suspended so the engine stays clean.
• Anti-wear and extreme-pressure agents — form a protective film on metal surfaces under load.
• Friction modifiers — reduce friction and improve fuel economy.
• Oxidation and corrosion inhibitors — slow the breakdown of the oil and protect metal surfaces.
• Viscosity modifiers and pour-point depressants — hold the viscosity across the temperature range.
• Foam inhibitors and seal-conditioning agents — keep the oil stable in service.

How the package is chosen

The choice starts with the specification the finished oil must meet. An API or OEM specification defines the performance tests the oil must pass, and the additive supplier designs a package that meets them at a stated treat rate. The blender then matches the package to the base oil: a Group I base oil and a Group II base oil respond differently, and the treat rate is adjusted accordingly.

That is why the package is sold with a technical data sheet, not as a generic chemical. The sheet states the treat rate, the base oil compatibility and the performance claims the package supports.

Applications

Additive packages serve four channels. Lubricant blenders build engine oils, hydraulic fluids and gear oils. Grease makers use additive packages for soap-thickened and complex greases. Industrial users add packages to process oils and metalworking fluids. Traders supply packages to regional blenders who do not have in-house formulation. The right package depends on the finished product and the specification it must meet.

Supply and logistics

Additives ship in drums, IBCs and bulk. Loading port, laycan, Incoterm (FOB, CFR, CIF, DAP) and inspection are agreed in the offer. The shipment travels with a certificate of analysis and a technical data sheet. Because the products are chemical blends, storage temperature and shelf life are stated on the data sheet and confirmed before the shipment is fixed.

Quality assurance

Each lot is sampled at loading and tested against the agreed specification. The certificate of analysis is issued before the vessel sails. If the lot falls outside the window, it is not released, which protects the blender from a package that would change the finished oil’s performance.

Frequently asked questions

What is a treat rate? The percentage of additive package added to the base oil to build the finished lubricant. It is stated on the technical data sheet for each package.

Can one package serve several finished products? Some packages are designed for a family of products; others are specific to one specification. The data sheet states the intended use.

Are the packages compatible with Group I and Group II base oils? Compatibility is stated per package. The treat rate is adjusted to the base oil type, and the technical data sheet covers the difference.

What documents come with the lot? Certificate of analysis, technical data sheet, bill of lading and the commercial invoice.

Request an offer

Send the finished product, the specification it must meet and the volume, and the trading desk will return a package recommendation, an indicative price and a loading window. For the base oil side, see base oil SN150 and SN500.

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