Date: October 13, 2026
Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM CEST
The webinar will be held in English.
- Participation is free of charge for ÖTG members.
- For non-members, the fee is 80 Euros for the 2-hour webinar.
Registration will be available shortly. We look forward to your participation!
Abstract
The Assessment of Alternative Greases Thickeners
Lithium soap greases have dominated the world stage from their introduction in 1940 through present day with 56 % of the market. Market supply volatility and the adverse classification of lithium hydroxide as a reproductive toxin have led to lithium thickened greases being less desirable. Grease makers are seeking alternatives for multipurpose and high-performance greases.
Current potential lithium soap alternatives are mixed lithium-calcium soaps and anhydrous calcium greases. Alternatives to lithium complex greases are urea-derivatives and calcium sulfonates complexes. The strengths and weaknesses of these alternatives are reviewed and gaps in performance identified.
Other recently developed alternative thickeners, thermally stabilized anhydrous calcium, pre-formed diurea derivatives, and a hybrid calcium grease will also be discussed.
This presentation examines these alternative thickeners as potential replacements for lithium soap products for both the commodity and premium markets.
About Gareth Fish PhD
Gareth Fish is a Senior Technical Fellow at Lubrizol with more than 38 years of experience in the lubricants industry. He is internationally recognized as an expert in tribology and lubricating greases.
Some highlights of his distinguished career:
- PhD in Tribology and BSc (Hons) in Chemistry from Imperial College London.
- Author of 106 technical papers and recipient of 23 awards, including 9 Best Paper Awards.
- Has taught more than 110 courses on tribology and lubricating greases.
- Recipient of the NLGI Achievement Award in 2020, recognizing his outstanding contributions to lubricating greases.
- Member of the NLGI Board of Directors and Chair of the NLGI Basic Grease Course; also actively involved in SAE and ASTM, where he chairs the Lubricating Grease Committee.
- NLGI Certified Lubricating Grease Specialist (CLGS), Chartered Scientist, STLE Fellow (2022), and Certified Lubrication Specialist (CLS).
- Previous positions at the UK Ministry of Defence and GKN Automotive in both the UK and the United States.
With nearly four decades of industry experience spanning research, education, standardization, and industrial applications, Gareth Fish has made significant contributions to the advancement of tribology and lubricating grease technology worldwide.