New D1 specification in China - Infineum Insight

China is the largest heavy-duty vehicle market in the world. Over 40 million trucks were thought to be on its roads at the end of , more than 11 million of which are medium or heavy-duty diesel. In , new truck sales reached more than 4 million. In our view, some 95% of these sales could be domestic brands, which makes it surprising that the China heavy-duty lubricant market currently uses the API specifications. With these locally produced vehicles being somewhat different to North American trucks, their lubricant requirements are not fully supported by these existing specifications. With that in mind, initiated by some of the big OEMs, oil companies and related associations, the industry set out to develop a China specific heavy-duty engine oil specification.

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It has taken a considerable amount of time and effort plus dedication and cooperation, but finally the D1 specification for heavy-duty engine oils is ready for launch.

China’s current national diesel engine oil specification, GB-, is based on the API engine oil specifications from API CD to CI-4 categories. The real driver for the development of the D1 specification is that the current specification is not matched to the hardware configurations that have been adopted by Chinese OEMs to meet the stringent emissions requirements of China VI legislation.

There were three key drivers for the new specification:

• The China VI emissions and fuel consumption standard is unique to China (driving cycle/limitations etc.).

• Aftertreatment and operational changes are needed to meet the stringent China VI emissions limits - especially particulate matter and NOx.

• The Made in China Strategy encourages independent specifications development.

These specification development efforts aim to ensure that oils sold in China meeting the D1 specification match the needs of the domestic OEM engines that are designed to conform to the latest emissions regulations.

The Chinese Lubricants Standard Alliance Committee was tasked with developing the standard. Formed in , and now comprising 31 members from OEMs, oil and additive companies and industry bodies, the work groups focussed on test procedures and the development of the oil specification. Their outputs have been passed through China National Standard Committee (GB) experts group review so that the final standard can be adopted into GB, where it will sit above API CI-4.

The key differences

While D1 performance is based on API CK-4 it will differ from this quality level in many details. One of the main differences is that all the engines used for D1 tests are from Chinese OEMs.

Since all the engine tests for the specification were developed using local engines, you could say that they are all brand new engine tests.

The limits set for the new D1 draft specification are shown below.

Lubricant development challenges

One of the key questions for oil companies is how does the D1 specification compare with API CK-4? The antiwear, antioxidation, soot dispersancy and piston cleanliness performance requirements for D1 are all quite similar to those of API CK-4. However, local requests, such as turbo deposit prevention and fuel dilution, have been incorporated.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Aleman Moil.

The key technical differences between D1 and API CK-4 are summarised in the table below.

Another question we can anticipate is does D1 have base oil interchange (BOI) and viscosity grade read across (VGRA) rules? Currently, both BOI and VGRA rules are not allowed in D1. However, the D1 committee has drafted a test plan to set up BOI/VGRA rules, although this work is still in progress.

When published, this new mandatory specification, will be a must have for all heavy-duty engine oil suppliers wishing to supply China VI capable vehicles.

Without this seal of approval heavy-duty products will need to be marketed at a lower performance level.

Infineum is ready to deliver market-driven technology solutions that meet the requirements of the new D1 specification to support both OEMs and oil marketers.

Chevron (China) Chemicals Co., Ltd. (Chevron Oronite China) is established in China to manage all functions of Chevron Oronite including sales, products and technology, and manufacturing.

Chevron Oronite China first established its presence in China with a sales office in Beijing back in . Twenty-five years later,  our footprint in China has expanded with another sales office and Technology Support Center in Shanghai, and the new manufacturing plant in Ningbo, Zhejiang province.

Chevron Oronite celebrated our 25 years in China with an event at our manufacturing facility in Ningbo, China. The construction of the plant faced several challenges which included the global COVID-19 pandemic and several severe weather-related events. Despite these unexpected obstacles the plant was finished in accordance with the planned schedule and, most importantly, was completed without any major injuries or incidents.

The celebration of our 25th anniversary as well as the successful operation of the Ningbo plant was an important milestone. Here are a few photographs from the event.

Chevron Oronite China is engaged in the activities of sales, technical services, and product development of lubricant and fuel additives out of its two locations in Beijing and Shanghai. Product line coverage includes a broad array of engine oils, marine lubricants, industrial oils and specialty chemicals. The customer base ranges from major Chinese oil companies, global and regional oil companies, and numerous domestic lubricant companies.

We conscientiously adapt to the Chinese culture and tailor our product performance and services to the unique characteristics of the Chinese market. It is our goal to be the global additives company most admired for its people, partnership and performance.  

Chevron Oronite sees continuous growth in China and the need for additional capacity globally. In our new manufacturing plant in Ningbo began blending and shipping operations. Expansion of the plant is in progress. When fully implemented, the size of the Ningbo plant will rival our largest manufacturing base in Singapore. 

For more information, please visit China Lubricant Factory.