“Are bio-based oils worth the extra cost to switch lubricants? Are they as effective as mineral base oil and synthetic lubricants?”
The vast majority of lubricants used in industrial applications are formulated with mineral base oils. The remaining are synthetic base oils and a small percentage of vegetable- or animal-based oils. While mineral oils are effective and often well-priced, their environmental impact can be problematic, particularly when it is estimated that up to 50 percent of lubricants end up in the environment. Most synthetics are challenged by their lack of biodegradability as well.
