There are many ways for plastics processors to become more energy efficient besides just changing out light bulbs in the plant. Following a successful study conducted in partnership with Evco Plastics (DeForest, WI) and ExxonMobil, the Mobil DTE 10 Excel premium hydraulic oil has been verified as an energy-efficient technology by Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy program.

Mobil DTE 10 Excel hydraulic oil is the first lubricant to be studied and incentivized by Focus on Energy, which works with Wisconsin businesses and residents to reduce energy waste. The planning for this study was initiated and perfected by a group of 12 engineers from ExxonMobil, Evco Plastics, Focus on Energy and Lube-Tech & Partners. The study was completed in April, with full results and validation released in June.

The verification demonstrated a reduction of 3.2% electricity demand in one of Evco’s 300-ton plastic injection molding machines. Overall, the study confirmed that Mobil DTE 10 Excel oil can provide an allowable payback range of between 1.5 and 8 years, depending on operating conditions.

“Working closely with ExxonMobil allowed us to find a new way to be energy efficient,” said Bernie Degenhardt, Automation Manager at Evco Plastics. “Sustainable practices are important aspects to modern manufacturing, and through this comprehensive study we were able to verify that a lubricant can be a new and important way to improve efficiency.”

Mobil DTE 10 Excel oil is formulated to help reduce power consumption and increase machine output, resulting in lower energy costs over the long term. In addition to its efficiency benefits, Mobil DTE 10 Excel helps minimize maintenance costs and downtime by keeping systems clean up to three times longer than conventional, mineral-based oils in bench testing.

“We’ve always discussed the important role that lubricants can play in helping industrial operators improve energy efficiency and reduce total cost of equipment ownership, and this verification is further proof of that view,” said Michelle Ruiz, the ExxonMobil Lubrication Engineer who led the assessment. “This study further reinforces the value that lubricants—and Mobil DTE oils, in particular—can bring to operators.”

Evco Plastics has nine manufacturing facilities strategically located throughout the world, with an emphasis on design for manufacturability, strategic engineering and innovative technology. Founded in 1964, the company employs more than 1,200 people and operates 170 injection molding machines ranging from 28 to 3,500 tons.