Eco-informed grease choice: turning the page on lithium

Prof. Sergei Glavatskih

Summary

Lithium greases have long been the most widely used systems due to their versatility and historical cost-effectiveness, but they are now facing mounting challenges. Rising demand from the battery sector creates supply risks and price volatility, while environmental concerns over lithium mining, coupled with the potential classification of lithium salts as reproductive toxins, further undermine their long-term viability.

Anhydrous calcium greases are emerging as a sustainable and technically robust alternative. Calcium is abundant, inexpensive, and less environmentally demanding to extract, resulting in a lower carbon footprint and greater long-term security of supply.

From a tribological perspective, anhydrous calcium greases deliver competitive load-carrying capacity, wear resistance, and stability in bearing applications, providing performance that meets or even exceeds many industrial requirements.

Thus, calcium-based greases not only ensure reliable tribological performance but also align with sustainability imperatives. In an era defined by eco-informed material choices, calcium greases represent a compelling path forward to reduce resource dependency and environmental impact while maintaining strong technical performance.