A Sustainability Assessment of a Biolubricant

Bryony Cunningham, Nigel Battersby, Walter Wehrmeyer and Catriona Fothergill

Journal of Industrial Ecology, 2003, vol. 7, issue 3‐4, 179-192

Abstract: A sustainability matrix has been developed at Shell Global Solutions to show the environmental, social, and economic impacts of a product. The approach aims to be quicker and more cost‐effective than a conventional life‐cycle assessment by focusing on specific areas of concern through the product life cycle and then comparing products by scaling their impacts relative to one another. It provides a way of making qualitative and quantitative assessment that gives a depth to the assessment beyond data analysis. The tool includes subjective judgment, which tends to reflect current thinking in the company. Once the tool has been fully tested on all product types, the indicators that are central to the process will be assessed by external stakeholders. This article describes the development of the sustainability assessment tool and presents an example that compares the sustainability of a biolubricant (an “environ‐mentally acceptable” hydraulic fluid meeting Swedish Standard SS 15 54 34) with that of a conventional mineral‐oil‐based product. The tool provides a quick decision‐making instrument to help Shell decide which products should be marketed for the business to continue on a sustainable path. The tool also provides a more detailed level of information if a more thorough assessment is necessary.

Date: 2003
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