Innovation in lubrication: inside Repsol Lubricants' Formulation Laboratory

The future of lubrication is written every day at the Repsol Technology Lab. At the cutting-edge Fuels and Lubricants Formulation Laboratory, innovation is the cornerstone to create high-performance products that promote a more sustainable and efficient future. 

In this article, we invite you to discover this space, unique in Spain and a pioneer in the energy sector globally. In it, basic science combines with cutting-edge technologies, such as artificial intelligence, robotics, 5G, and the internet of things to promote the development of lubricants, including new lines of renewable lubricants.

A laboratory with AI and robotics

Can you imagine a laboratory that works 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, without rest? At Repsol, it isn't science fiction, but a reality. The integration of artificial intelligence and robotics has radically transformed the lubricants development process. 

It is a robot that automates testing and the preparation of samples. This system allows scientists to make a set of formulations with minor variations, analyzing the results in a quick and precise manner, with the aim of choosing the optimal formula that will be put on the market.

Where before a technician had to prepare and analyze every sample individually, now the robot can process a large amount of formulations simultaneously, freeing up researchers to focus on data analysis and the optimization of formulas. Thanks to these technologies, the laboratory has multiplied its capacity to prepare formulations sixfold. 

As well as accelerating the testing process, AI also allows us to predict the behavior of new raw materials -like is the case with those coming from waste-, additives, or formulations. This means that scientists can anticipate the performance of a lubricant before it is physically manufactured on an industrial level, optimizing its design to obtain maximum efficiency and engine protection. 

Again, this predictive capacity significantly reduces the time and resources necessary for the development of new products, allowing Repsol to stay at the forefront of innovation in lubricants.

On the other hand, innovation doesn't stop at the walls of the laboratory. With the virtualization of the laboratory on the cloud, Repsol professionals can remotely access analytical equipment, carry out tests, consult data, and manage information from anywhere in the world. This capacity fosters collaboration between teams, accelerates the exchange of knowledge, and allows quicker and efficient decision-making.

The development of renewable lubricants at Repsol

Repsol's commitment to sustainability is reflected in the laboratory's focus on the development of 100% renewable lubricants, formulated with more than 70% of renewable vegetable base and with the same performance as conventional ones. 

In this way, our laboratory allows us to accelerate the design of new formulas that not only offer an exceptional performance, but that also reduce the environmental footprint.

In short, the Lubricants and Fuels Laboratory's approach, based on cutting-edge technology, automation, sustainability, and collaboration, makes it a global reference for innovation and the future of industry.