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Review

Advances and Challenges in Bio-Based Lubricants for Sustainable Tribological Applications: A Comprehensive Review of Trends, Additives, and Performance Evaluation

1
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sardar Patel College of Engineering, Sardar Patel Education Campus, Bakrol 388315, India
2
CHAMOS Matrusanstha Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chandubhai S. Patel Institute of Technology (CSPIT), Charotar University of Science and Technology (CHARUSAT), Changa 388421, India
3
McMaster Manufacturing Research Institute (MMRI), Department of Mechanical Engineering, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S4L7, Canada
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Lubricants 2025, 13(10), 440; https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants13100440
Submission received: 1 September 2025 / Revised: 26 September 2025 / Accepted: 2 October 2025 / Published: 6 October 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tribological Properties of Biolubricants)

Abstract

Bio-based lubricants are rapidly gaining prominence as sustainable alternatives to petroleum-derived counterparts, driven by their inherent biodegradability, low ecotoxicity, and strong alignment with global environmental and regulatory imperatives. Despite their promising tribological properties, their widespread adoption continues to confront significant challenges, particularly related to oxidative and thermal instability, cold-flow behavior, and cost competitiveness in demanding high-performance applications. This comprehensive review critically synthesizes the latest advancements in bio-based lubricant technology, spanning feedstock innovations, sophisticated chemical modification strategies, and the development of advanced additive systems. Notably, recent formulations demonstrate remarkable performance enhancements, achieving friction reductions of up to 40% and contributing to substantial CO2 emission reductions, ranging from 30 to 60%, as evidenced by comparative life-cycle assessments and energy efficiency studies. Distinguishing this review from existing literature, this study offers a unique, holistic perspective by integrally analyzing global market trends, industrial adoption dynamics, and evolving regulatory frameworks, such as the European Union Eco-Label and the U.S. EPA Vessel General Permit, alongside technological advancements. This study critically assesses emerging methodologies for tribological evaluation and benchmark performance across diverse, critical sectors including automotive, industrial, and marine applications. By connecting in-depth technical innovations with crucial socio-economic and environmental considerations, this paper not only identifies key research gaps but also outlines a pragmatic roadmap for accelerating the mainstream adoption of bio-based lubricants, positioning them as an indispensable cornerstone of sustainable tribology.
Keywords: bio-based lubricants; vegetable oils; renewable feedstocks; oxidative stability; tribology; additive technology; market adoption; sustainability; biodegradability; performance evaluation bio-based lubricants; vegetable oils; renewable feedstocks; oxidative stability; tribology; additive technology; market adoption; sustainability; biodegradability; performance evaluation

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Patel, J.R.; Chauhan, K.V.; Rawal, S.; Patel, N.P.; Subhedar, D. Advances and Challenges in Bio-Based Lubricants for Sustainable Tribological Applications: A Comprehensive Review of Trends, Additives, and Performance Evaluation. Lubricants 2025, 13, 440. https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants13100440

AMA Style

Patel JR, Chauhan KV, Rawal S, Patel NP, Subhedar D. Advances and Challenges in Bio-Based Lubricants for Sustainable Tribological Applications: A Comprehensive Review of Trends, Additives, and Performance Evaluation. Lubricants. 2025; 13(10):440. https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants13100440

Chicago/Turabian Style

Patel, Jay R., Kamlesh V. Chauhan, Sushant Rawal, Nicky P. Patel, and Dattatraya Subhedar. 2025. "Advances and Challenges in Bio-Based Lubricants for Sustainable Tribological Applications: A Comprehensive Review of Trends, Additives, and Performance Evaluation" Lubricants 13, no. 10: 440. https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants13100440

APA Style

Patel, J. R., Chauhan, K. V., Rawal, S., Patel, N. P., & Subhedar, D. (2025). Advances and Challenges in Bio-Based Lubricants for Sustainable Tribological Applications: A Comprehensive Review of Trends, Additives, and Performance Evaluation. Lubricants, 13(10), 440. https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants13100440

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