ExxonMobil launches new synthetic electric motor grease scientifically proven to save energy

Mobil SHC Polyrex™ 102 EM grease can deliver a significant return on investment

• Mobil SHC Polyrex™ 102 EM synthetic grease can help increase electric motor efficiency and reduce operational and maintenance costs*
• $500 investment in this synthetic grease could deliver more than $11,000 in potential annual energy savings in a typical plant**
• New grease helps extend electric motor life and is suitable for fill-for-life applications

Spring, TX – ExxonMobil has launched Mobil SHC Polyrex™ 102 EM synthetic electric motor grease. Testing has proven the grease’s ability to increase the mechanical efficiency of electric motors, which power a vast range of industrial machinery, while delivering excellent equipment protection.

During proprietary bearing energy efficiency rig tests, in which ExxonMobil’s research team collected two million data points, the grease reduced torque by up to 40 percent compared with a mineral-based alternative, which results in an increased motor efficiency of up to 0.24 percent.*

Through this enhanced efficiency, Mobil SHC Polyrex 102 EM can help industrial operators reduce their electricity bills. For example, a $500 investment in Mobil SHC Polyrex 102 EM grease in a plant with 100 electric motors could provide more than $11,000 in potential energy savings each year.**

This efficiency benefit can also help global industry reduce its carbon footprint. Electric motors account for approximately 40 percent of total global energy consumption today. And, their overall energy consumption is expected to grow in the years to come, as the global industrial electric motor market is forecasted to reach $29.5 billion in sales by 2021.

“With more than 300 million electric motor driven systems at work in industry today, operators understand that minimizing their electricity consumption directly improves their profitability,” said Toby Hlade, Americas grease products technical advisor at ExxonMobil. “Mobil SHC Polyrex 102 EM, our newest synthetic grease, gives operators an easy way to save energy and deliver the highest level of equipment protection.”

Suitable for use in electric motors of any size, Mobil SHC Polyrex 102 EM helps maximize wear protection and increase electric motor life, even at temperatures up to 180°C. These benefits can help reduce maintenance costs, extend re-greasing intervals, and improve equipment uptime, as well as enhance safety by extending maintenance intervals.

Mobil SHC Polyrex 102 EM is also ideally suited for fill-for-life applications.

For more information on ExxonMobil’s Mobil SHC™ line of synthetic greases, please click here.

* The energy efficiency of Mobil SHC Polyrex™ 102 EM Grease is based on its performance compared to mineral oil-based Mobil Unirex™ N2 electric motor grease. The technology used reduces ball bearing torque up to 40%, depending on motor speed and under controlled conditions. The energy efficiency claim for this product is based on reducing motor bearing frictional losses, which are typically 0.6% of motor output. Efficiency gains will vary based on operating conditions, bearing design and applications.

**Calculation based on ExxonMobil data comparing the performance of Mobil SHC Polyrex 102 EM to Mobil Unirex N2, a conventional, mineral-based electric motor grease. Calculation assumes a plant-wide grease conversion of 100 electric motors rated at 100HP each, running continuously during the year. The assumed electricity cost is $0.10/kWhr with an energy efficiency improvement of 0.17%. The investment cost assumes the conversion of all 100 motors from a mineral-based product to Mobil SHC Polyrex 102 EM synthetic grease.

¹ International Energy Outlook 2016 by US Energy Information Administration
¹ Industrial Motors Market – Forecasts 2016 to 2021 – report by Knowledge Sourcing Intelligence.