SK Lub's Low-Viscosity Engine Oil Methodology Officially Recognized by Ministry of Environment for Greenhouse Gas Reduction Effectiveness

SK Lubricants members are checking the external business methodology related to low-viscosity engine oil developed by SK Lubricants on the Ministry of Environment's carbon reduction site (Offset Registry System). Photo by SK Innovation

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghoon Jeong] SK Lubricants' carbon neutrality (net zero) efforts have been recognized by the Ministry of Environment.

SK Lubricants announced on the 26th that at the recently held Ministry of Environment Emission Certification Committee, the "Methodology for Improving Vehicle Fuel Efficiency through the Use of Low-Viscosity Engine Oil," developed for the first time in Korea by SK Lubricants, was approved as an external project methodology.

The Ministry of Environment's approval of the methodology developed by SK Lubricants this time is significant in that the fuel efficiency improvement and greenhouse gas reduction effects of low-viscosity engine oil are widely known facts. By registering the methodology utilizing this, its effects have been officially recognized. In a situation where it is difficult to convert all vehicles to eco-friendly cars in a short period, low-viscosity engine oil is expected to become a new means for immediate greenhouse gas reduction.

Low-viscosity engine oil refers to engine oil with relatively low viscosity. While higher viscosity better protects the engine, it has the disadvantage of reduced fuel efficiency improvement. Based on industry-leading technology, SK Lubricants has succeeded in developing low-viscosity engine oil and launched products on the market that improve fuel efficiency while providing excellent engine protection performance.

As a result of real vehicle tests conducted by SK Lubricants on freight vehicles using low-viscosity engine oil, the amount of carbon dioxide reduction per vehicle compared to conventional engine oil was found to be between 1.4 tons and 2.8 tons annually, depending on vehicle weight and fuel consumption. A reduction of 2.8 tons of carbon dioxide is equivalent to planting approximately 424 pine trees.

Meanwhile, external projects refer to greenhouse gas reduction projects carried out outside companies subject to the emissions trading scheme allocation. To conduct an external project, a business plan must be submitted and approved based on a methodology approved by the Ministry of Environment.

Also, a methodology is a comprehensive guide that includes standards and procedures applied to calculate and monitor the amount of greenhouse gases reduced, absorbed, or removed from greenhouse gas emission facilities and activities. If there is no suitable methodology for an external project, companies may develop one themselves.

Cha Gyutak, President of SK Lubricants, said, "With the approval of this methodology, we can have our carbon reduction achievements recognized, and we will promote the spread of low-viscosity engine oil use to contribute to achieving the national greenhouse gas reduction targets in the transportation sector." He added, "SK Lubricants will continue to actively discover and implement low-carbon and decarbonization-related businesses to accelerate carbon neutrality."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.