2nd Rosefield Conference for Lubricants and Fuels

2nd Rosefield Conference for Lubricants and Fuels

The primary objective of Rosefield Energy Tech (RET) is to unite stakeholders across the value chain to foster learning, collaboration, and networking, with the ultimate goal of delivering sustainable solutions to end customers and consumers. The resounding success of the inaugural Lubricants and Fuels Conference inspired us to organize the second edition on a significantly larger scale, aligning with our mission. With tremendous support from the industry and the dedicated efforts of our team, this edition witnessed nearly double the participation of delegates and an expanded exhibition capacity, establishing itself as a one-of-a-kind gathering for the lubricants and fuels sector.

In addition to these achievements, we broadened our awards categories to celebrate the remarkable contributions of industry leaders, evaluated through a robust and structured jury process. It was an honor to host delegates and speakers from around the globe, creating unparalleled networking opportunities to drive the industry forward.The conference agenda was carefully curated to address contemporary challenges and opportunities within the lubricants and fuels sector, with a special emphasis on the ongoing industry transition driven by the alternative fuels revolution.

The "Emerging Fuel Technologies" session at the conference emphasized the crucial need for India to transition to cleaner and more sustainable fuels. Moderated by Mr. Shailendra Gokhale, the panel featured industry experts like Mr. S Lakshminarayanan from IOCL, Mr. Sanjay Kumar from HPCL, and Mr. Subhankar Sen from BPCL. The session explored the role of government policies, industry perspectives, and emerging trends in shaping India's energy landscape. The panelists discussed alternative fuel options including ethanol, biodiesel, compressed biogas (CBG), hydrogen, and electric vehicle (EV) technologies, with an emphasis on their potential to contribute to a more sustainable future.

Mr. Sethuramalingam T of Tata Motors went on to explain the diversification of fuel types, emphasizing the move from gasoline and diesel to alternative fuels like CNG, LNG, flex-fuel engines, hydrogen, biodiesel, and ethanol blends in diesel. These shifts necessitate complex modifications to engine and fuel system designs. He highlighted safety concerns with hydrogen, which requires specialized testbeds due to its high flammability and low energy density. Mr. Krishnan Sadagopan of Ashok Leyland, discussed the critical role of engine components, specifically the piston ring, in determining lubricant performance given the extreme temperatures experienced in different types of engines. He emphasized the current phase of technological transition as the "messy middle," where various fuel types like CNG, ethanol, methanol, and hydrogen coexist. 

In a session led by Mr. Sanjay Awasthi, the focus was on India’s robust economic growth and its implications for the lubricant industry. As the world’s fifth-largest economy, India is poised for continued growth, supported by a young, digitally empowered population, political stability, and infrastructure development. Awasthi highlighted key trends shaping India’s future, including a growing middle class and the government’s “Make in India” initiative, which is set to boost manufacturing and drive demand for industrial lubricants. He also projected significant growth in the automotive sector, driven by the expanding middle class.

The session on "Automotive Lubricants" at the Rosefield Energy Tech conference, moderated by Mr. Kedar Gore, explored the impact of emerging fuel technologies on lubricants amid India's shift to sustainable energy. Dr. Y.P. Rao, former CTO of Gulf Oil, highlighted the need for fuel-agnostic oils to handle ethanol blends and hydrogen, while emphasizing thinner lubricants and evolving standards. Dr. Rahul Misra of Lubrizol Corp. stressed the importance of thermal management and dielectric strength in EVs, addressing issues like thermal runaway and electrical arcing. Mr. Akhileshwar Jha of Valvoline outlined challenges with ethanol’s hygroscopic nature and announced a versatile lubricant for ethanol, CNG, and hydrogen. The session underscored the industry's need to innovate for a diversifying fuel landscape.

The "Industrial Lubricants" session at the Rosefield Energy Tech conference highlighted their critical role in supporting India's growth across sectors. Moderator Dr. T. Singh discussed the demand for high-performance lubricants to enhance machinery lifespan and meet environmental regulations, noting the rise of eco-friendly bio-lubricants despite cost challenges. Dr. Kalpendra Rajurkar of Veedol emphasized the need for advanced metalworking fluids for lightweight materials in industries like aerospace and construction. Mr. Shekhar Deshmukh of Quaker Houghton highlighted tailored lubricant solutions for the steel industry, including rolling and fire-resistant hydraulic oils. Mr. Udey Dhir of VAS Tribology Solutions stressed sustainable practices like condition-based lubricant management to reduce consumption and waste. The session showcased industrial lubricants' evolving role in meeting technological and sustainability demands.

The "E-Fluids" session at the Rosefield Energy Tech conference, moderated by Vikas Gupta of Nandan Petrochem, highlighted the growing importance of e-fluids in the EV industry. Santosh Kumar from Shell discussed challenges like compatibility, efficiency, and safety, emphasizing high-quality base stocks and evolving standards. Dr. Kalpendra Rajurkar of Veedol stressed thermal management, eco-friendly formulations, and India's potential in bio-sourced e-fluids. Anand Kumar from Afton Chemicals explained SAE J3200 guidelines, cost sensitivity, and the evolving lifespan of e-fluids. The session underscored the challenges and opportunities in innovating sustainable solutions for the electrified automotive sector.

Day 1 concluded with the Rosefield Awards 2024 ceremony, celebrating innovation, dedication, and excellence in the lubricants and fuels sector. Building on the success of the inaugural edition, this year’s awards recognized outstanding contributions across an expanded range of categories, honoring the industry’s brightest minds and groundbreaking achievements. The event highlighted advancements in technology, sustainability, and growth, showcasing the remarkable efforts shaping the future of the industry.

Day 2 began with the session on "India and Global Base Oil Demand”, moderated by Dhananjay Kumar Rai of HPCL, explored global base oil market trends, challenges, and opportunities. Rai discussed the impact of geopolitical conflicts, sustainability, and the shift from Group 1 to Group 2 and 3 oils. Sudip Shyam of Mocoh highlighted India's growing demand, driven by "Make in India" and robust contracts to address supply chain disruptions. Karuna Sadasivam of Ergon International focused on naphthenic base oils, their unique benefits, and growth drivers. Soma Chattopadhya of IOCL detailed India's transition to higher-quality base oils and IOC's integrated expansion approach. Sarvesh Tomar of BPCL emphasized the demand for lower viscosity lubricants, forecasting growth in Group 3 oils alongside BPCL's production and Green Hydrogen initiatives.

Following session, "India-Middle East Trade and Opportunities," led by Ranjan Guha of Adnoc Lubricants, highlighted the company’s global expansion strategy, aiming to operate in 100 countries by 2029. Guha emphasized Adnoc’s focus on high-quality, Group 3 base oil products, its innovative solutions like EV fluids and carbon-neutral oils, and the strategic benefits of operating from the UAE. He also encouraged Indian businesses to leverage their strengths in talent and quality to expand globally.

The session on "Digital & AI Integration in the Fuel & Lubricant Business" underscored the transformative potential of digital platforms and AI in revolutionizing the industry. Adnan Ahmad emphasized the urgency for adoption, warning that the sector risks obsolescence without swift action. Puneet Krishna highlighted how digital platforms streamline processes, enhance collaboration, and improve profitability, while addressing affordability and accessibility concerns. Dhruv Raj Gupta showcased real-world AI applications, such as maintenance tools and predictive platforms, advocating for a phased approach to AI adoption to boost productivity, performance, and strategic decision-making. The session emphasized the necessity of embracing innovation to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market.

The concluding session of the conference, titled "Roundtable Discussion: Collaborative Approaches to Future Challenges," was moderated by Dr. SSV Ramakumar, a distinguished industry expert with over 35 years of experience. This engaging session brought together an esteemed panel of speakers, including Ravi Chawla, Managing Director of Gulf Oil Lubricants; Arijit Basu, Managing Director of Veedol Corporation; Nitin Mengi, Chairman and Managing Director of Lubrizol India; Saugata Basuray, Executive Director of Castrol; and Srinivas Ch, Executive Director - Lubes at HPCL. The discussion focused on addressing critical challenges facing the industry while emphasizing the importance of collaboration to foster innovation, enhance sustainability, and build resilience in a rapidly evolving market.The discussion underscored the need for deeper collaboration among stakeholders, including lubricant manufacturers, additive suppliers, and OEMs, to navigate emerging challenges such as advanced engine technologies, alternative fuel integration, and stringent environmental regulations. Panelists advocated for the adoption of innovative technologies like AI-driven data analytics to enhance lubricant formulations and streamline development processes.

Addressing counterfeit products, the panel highlighted the urgency of implementing cost-effective product verification technologies and stricter regulations to protect consumers and foster fair competition. In terms of sustainability, the session emphasized Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) compliance, advocating for robust collection and re-refining platforms to incorporate re-refined base oils into formulations without compromising quality. Speakers also stressed the importance of consumer-centric strategies, noting the increasing demand for high-performance, value-driven products. Industry players were urged to prioritize digitization and innovative market approaches to strengthen distribution networks and improve accessibility. 

The conference concluded with a strong sense of purpose and collaboration, bringing together diverse perspectives to address the evolving landscape of the lubricants and fuels industry. With actionable insights, innovative ideas, and a focus on sustainability, the event successfully set the stage for future advancements and partnerships, reaffirming its role as a pivotal platform for industry leaders.