A new environmentally acceptable lubricant (EAL) has been launched in to the marine market by ROCOL.
BIOGEN Marine Rope Dressing is for use on crane wire ropes, container lashings, lifeboat falls, shackles and small winch ropes.
The target markets for the product are shipping, ports and docks, dredging and deep sea fishing industries.
“It is designed to help customers improve their operational performance and meet their environmental responsibilities at the same time.” Brendan Kendrick, Business Development Director at ROCOL said.
“Wire ropes are like complex machines, requiring dedicated lubricants to perform. Although simple in appearance, the intricate construction and multitude of demands placed on wire ropes means that, like any machine, they must be lubricated to achieve optimum performance and service life.”
In order to extend the life of wire ropes, it is vital to reduce internal friction during load applications. The bend fatigue life of a lubricated wire rope can be up to 60% longer than that of a non- lubricated rope.
The lubricant has already been certified as US Vessel General Permit (VGP) compliant and is pending a European Ecolabel approval.
Whilst the VGP does not specify that EAL’s must be used for above deck equipment is ‘strongly encouraged’, a step which means it is expected that it will be mandated in the next revision of the VGP.
