The Anglo-Dutch major has pioneered two new lubricants for trucks and buses in China.
Shell's new oils? Image: Shell China |
Shell Rimula R5 NG and Shell Rimula R3 NG are the latest products geared specfically towards natural gas engines and will be introduced to China as part of the major's broader efforts to tap into the world's fastest-growing LNG market.
The oils, designed for heavy duty trucks, buses and smaller commercial vehicles, offer a range of benefits such as longer oil drain intervals, reduced copper corrosion, deposit control and improved oxidation stability.
As natural gas engines have different combustion and after-treatment requirements than diesel engines they require specialist lubricants products.
Natural gas burns much hotter than other hydrocarbons, putting more strain on the engine and creating a more testing environments for lubes. Shell claims its new Rimula range promotes thermal stability and detergency control, resulting in higher performing oils.
Shell expects China's natural gas vehicle population to increase to 5m vehicles in 2020, up from 1.6m in 2012, as regulatory drives to reduce emissions continue.