German specialty chemicals company Lanxess launched an organic lubricant additive for passenger car and high-performance engine oils, the 'Additin RC 3502', which it says has been specifically developed to reduce friction and deliver sustained performance and anti-wear protection. The friction modifier is non-corrosive, compatible with all synthetic and mineral engine oils and has zero SAPS (sulfated ash, phosphorous, sulfur).

The company's Additives business unit (ADD) has a broad portfolio of lubricant products for different applications and industries, which includes base oils, lubricant additives, additive packages and formulated lubricants that it says helps clients meet increasingly stringent, legally prescribed standards for emissions and fuel efficiency. The automotive industry is currently focusing particularly closely on the latter, and the new friction modifier from Lanxess caters to this development, since an effective engine lubricant plays an important role in fuel efficiency.

Dr Frank DeBlase, application technology manager in the Lubricant Additives business line of ADD, said: “The new Additin RC 3502 is a durable organic friction modifier developed for today’s extended drain, high mileage applications, typically up to 20,000 miles, with exceptional solubility in the full range of commercially available passenger car and high-performance engine oils."

In addition, the company says Additin RC 3502 provides a bonus of ‘boosting’ additive-additive interactions directly at the frictional surfaces where surface-active anti-wear additives, detergents and molybdenum dithiocarbamates work. This property, combined with an excellent friction reduction capability and durability, translates in engine dynamometer testing (ASTM D8114) to the friction reduction required for fuel economy gains in ILSAC GF-5+ and GF-6, new industry specifications with even higher demands on fuel economy.