Rethinking Energy Efficiency in South Africa:
How Lubricants Drive Sustainability**
South African industry continues to face a tough balancing act. Energy costs remain volatile, regulatory pressures on emissions are increasing, and the impact of load shedding adds further strain to operations. At the same time, many companies are setting ambitious sustainability targets—but achieving them without undermining competitiveness is a challenge.
One often-overlooked opportunity lies in an unexpected place: industrial lubrication processes. What may sound like a technical detail actually holds significant potential for reducing energy use, cutting CO₂ emissions, and lowering operating costs.
Small Change, Big Impact
Klüber Lubrication, a global leader in high-performance lubricants, has developed the Klüber Energy Efficiency program to help industry tackle these challenges. By switching to advanced synthetic lubricants, machines and equipment can operate with less friction—reducing energy consumption by measurable percentages across a wide range of applications.
These savings quickly add up, especially in energy-intensive sectors such as mining, cement, steel, and manufacturing. Beyond cost reductions, the program directly supports companies in achieving their ESG and sustainability objectives.
No New Equipment, No Downtime
One of the key advantages of this approach is its simplicity. There’s no need to invest in new machinery, endure lengthy shutdowns, or allocate large budgets. Instead, every project begins with an expert analysis of existing energy sources and what energy savings are realistic?
Energy measurements are taken before and after implementation, ensuring transparent and verifiable results. For companies that already follow ISO 50001 standards, this approach integrates seamlessly with existing energy management systems.
Sustainability That Pays Off
In many cases, projects deliver a return on investment within just a few months. At the same time, they help reduce a company’s carbon footprint, ensure compliance with evolving regulations, and strengthen overall operational efficiency.
For South African businesses, this means more than sustainability—it’s a strategy for resilience in a challenging energy environment.
From First Step to Long-Term Partnership
A typical project starts with a no-obligation assessment with Klüber Lubrication. Implementation is carried out in close collaboration with on-site maintenance teams, ensuring smooth adoption without disruption. Even after completion, Klüber remains a trusted partner—providing follow-up measurements and continuous optimization to secure long-term benefits.
More information: https://www.klueber.com/za/en/products-service/services/energy-efficiency/
