Traditional natural and wool grease based lubricants perform poorly in cold climates as the lubricant solidifies in low temperatures. The water repellent properties of lanolin make it a valuable lubricant which can protect metals from corrosion. However organic lubricants and anticorrosion protectants have a sythentic base which can restrict their application and performance, and can limit its use in food processing where synthetic type solvents do not comply with standards.
Locus Research collaborated with Agresearch to enhance the Prolan formulation to function effectively in extreme conditions from -20C to +30C. This was achieved by designing and scientifically developing Lanolin with specific concentrations of bio-addittives. These lubricants are the first non-synthetic based lubricants that can perform in both freezing conditions and extreme heat. The team also developed an organic lanolin bio-additive anticorrosion protectant spray coating for metals. After application, the surface of this protectant polymerises by crosslinking into a solid form, to create a highly resilient coating with strong adhesion. This new spray on protectant also forms a hydrophobic surface coating which further increases its anticorrosion properties to protect metals by repelling water. The odour
generating peptides from wool grease has also been suppressed in both the lubricant and protectant. This was achieved by incorporating small quantities of bio-based aromatic products into the formulations to reduce the perception of the characteristic wool grease odour.
Prolan has been able to increase new export market opportunities. The creation of the natural lanolin lubricant that can function effectively in extreme conditions fhas received significant interest, particularly in Scandinavian countries, and will help further position Prolan as a market leader in natural lubricants, corrosion inhibitors and Anti-seizes.
We would like to thank you and your team for your efforts in the R&D projects to establish a “Prolan Soft Grease” for cooler climates and the shiny finish “Prolan Enduro” as a spray on corrosion inhibitor.
Through the team efforts of Tech NZ, Locus Research, Ag Research and Prolan we have now been able to establish a strong export market into Scandinavia through Denrex, our Danish distributor. We have been dealing with this company for 4 years and their orders have doubled in the last 12 months. Denrex are confident about the future of Prolan in Scandinavia as it is now recommended by their customers Vesta Wind Turbines and Furuno Europe as one of their preferred electrical terminal corrosion preventatives.
The original grease that we produced went hard at approximately 10 degrees C which limited the marketing opportunities into colder climates. This problem is now resolved by the development of the new “Prolan Soft Grease” which goes hard at 0 degrees C and has allowed us to keep the market. We are sure that the Scandinavian market for the Prolan grease would have collapsed had we not completed this R&D.
The original Prolan liquid spray corrosion inhibitors always remained tacky to the touch and collected some dust and dirt. The development of the new “Prolan Enduro” spray on corrosion inhibitors has developed a product that lasts longer than the original and leaves a clean shiny finish. These products have also been exported to Scandinavia. The coordination between the companies for the development has gone well even with the Christchurch earthquake due to the project management efforts of Locus Research.
Thanks and Kind Regards
Murray & Julie Shaw
Directors Prolan
