Press release
Oil Additives
June 13, 2017

Evonik advances innovation in lubricants with its new Friction & Motion Competence Center

  • Evonik’s Friction & Motion Competence Center focuses on reducing energy loss caused by friction
  • Generates synergistic growth by combining product and technology competencies to achieve flow efficiency

DARMSTADT, GERMANY - Evonik’s Resource Efficiency Segment has unveiled its new Friction & Motion Competence Center in Darmstadt, Germany. Fully equipped and operational, the Competence Center acts as a technology platform focusing on the development of mid- and long-range innovations for the lubricant market.

“About 15 to 20 percent of the energy consumed each year is used just to overcome friction. So there's a great need for products that can reduce that energy loss,” says Dr. Johannes Ohmer, Managing Director, Evonik Resource Efficiency GmbH.

This fact, combined with the noticeable trend towards car-sharing, e-mobility, and autonomous vehicles, as well as other emerging technologies, such as robotics and drone transportation, require new solutions for reducing friction losses.

“That’s a challenge we are ready to accept," says Dr. Günter Schmitt, Director of the Friction & Motion Competence Center. Evonik envisions a future in which significant additional revenues in the intermediate and long term are derived from the synergy of combining various product and technology competencies within Evonik’s Resource Efficiency Segment.

“There are many areas within Evonik that can be tapped to generate a stream of lubricant innovations. That’s why we established the Friction & Motion Competence Center, and that’s why we have built these dedicated laboratories,” explains Dr. Ralf Düssel, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Evonik’s Oil Additives Business Line.

For example, he adds, rather than limiting their focus exclusively to the potential of lubricant additives, the scientists at the Friction & Motion Competence Center will also examine fluid systems, surface designs and high performance polymers.

As a leading provider of oil additives, Evonik develops technologies that boost efficiency with its DRIVON™ technologies in engine oils, driveline fluids and gear oils. With the Friction & Motion Competence Center, Evonik focuses on innovations that contribute to the resource-efficient lubricant solutions of tomorrow.

Company information

Evonik is one of the world leaders in specialty chemicals. The focus on more specialty businesses, customer-orientated innovative prowess and a trustful and performance-driven corporate culture form the heart of Evonik’s corporate strategy. They are the lever for profitable growth and a sustained increase in the value of the company. Evonik benefits specifically from its customer proximity and leading market positions. Evonik is active in over 100 countries around the world with more than 35,000 employees. In fiscal 2016, the enterprise generated sales of around €12.7 billion and an operating profit (adjusted EBITDA) of about €2.165 billion.

About Resource Efficiency

The Resource Efficiency segment is led by Evonik Resource Efficiency GmbH and supplies high performance materials for environmentally friendly as well as energy-efficient systems to the automotive, paints & coatings, adhesives, construction, and many other industries. This segment employed about 9,000 employees, and generated sales of around €4.5 billion in 2016.

Disclaimer

In so far as forecasts or expectations are expressed in this press release or where our statements concern the future, these forecasts, expectations or statements may involve known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results or developments may vary, depending on changes in the operating environment. Neither Evonik Industries AG nor its group companies assume an obligation to update the forecasts, expectations or statements contained in this release.