🚗 Ban combustion engines? – What about changing hydraulic oil? 🛢️
Why condition-based oil maintenance is a real lever for sustainability
Introduction: Sustainability does not begin with the drive system
The debate surrounding the ban on combustion engines is in full swing—politically, socially, and in the media. For the sake of the environment, fossil fuels should be reduced, emissions lowered, and resources conserved.
But while the debate continues in Berlin, practical opportunities to make concrete changes in everyday industrial life have long been available—for example, in the area of hydraulic oil.
The invisible problem: oil waste on a grand scale
Hydraulic oil is an essential operating fluid in machines and systems—whether in processing machines, presses, test benches, or automation systems.
But hydraulic oil is also based on crude oil—and in practice, it is changed far too often.
A look at current data highlights the extent of the problem. According to an evaluation by OELCHECK (2023), no critical abnormalities were found in around 25% of the oil samples analyzed – meaning that a change was not necessary.
👉 This corresponds to approximately 120,000 tons of hydraulic oil that are disposed of prematurely in Germany every year.
➡️ And with every liter, up to 3.8 kg of CO₂ emissions are added to the balance sheet.
💡 Die Berechnung beruht auf einem CO₂-Faktor, der sowohl die Herstellung und den Transport von Frischöl (1,22 kg CO₂) als auch die Entsorgung und das Recycling des Gebrauchtöls (2,58 kg CO₂) berücksichtigt – bei Verdopplung des Wechselintervalls.
The solution: Condition-based oil maintenance instead of blanket replacement
The problem is not the oil itself, but rather its unnecessary disposal.
With the right strategy, hydraulic oil can be used for much longer without compromising safety or efficiency.
🔍 Step 1: Perform oil analysis
The condition of the oil can be reliably assessed using laboratory diagnostics or mobile particle measuring devices such as the CML4 from MP Filtri. This allows you to detect:
- water content
- solid load
- additive degradation
- change in viscosity
- oil blends
💧 Step 2: Use targeted filtration
The oil is often still usable—it is simply contaminated. Suitable filter solutions can help to effectively remove particles and water.
🔧 Step 3: Extend the oil change interval
Through continuous oil monitoring and targeted maintenance, the oil can be used for significantly longer depending on the application – sustainable, cost-saving, and reliable.
Advantages of condition-based oil maintenance at a glance
✅ Reduced crude oil consumption
✅ Significantly lower CO₂ emissions
✅ Less waste disposal
✅ Lower operating costs
✅ Longer service life for machines and components
✅ Active contribution to environmental protection
Conclusion: Change less – understand more.
Ban combustion engines? Maybe.
Wasting hydraulic oil? Certainly not!
Those who perform oil changes not at fixed intervals, but based on analysis data and maintenance concepts, are acting:
- ecological,
- economically,
- and technically responsible.
Would you like to know how long your hydraulic oil can really be used for?
I am happy to help you—impartially, knowledgeably, and with a wealth of practical experience.
🔗 To the CO₂ calculator: Calculate your CO₂ savings now
📩 Contact me for individual advice or a suitable oil maintenance concept for your business.
Kategorien:
- Hydraulic oil
- sustainability
- maintenance
- Industry 4.0
- conservation of resources
- environmental technology
