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  4. Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants*

Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants*

Discover our range of high-performance, Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants* – designed to help you stay compliant and provide equipment protection.

Reliability meets Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants*

Castrol Bio Range complies with current 2018 US Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (VIDA) criteria for Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants (EALs)* as it meets 2013 US Vessel General Permit (VGP) biodegradation, bioaccumulation, and toxicity requirements.

 

Today, marine vessels face increasing challenges. Tougher environmental regulations, harsher operating conditions, and growing pressure to protect the environment. Traditional lubricants that once met operational needs may now fall short in compliance, sustainability, and performance – especially in sensitive marine environments.

 

For operators looking to meet the demands of compliance, sustainability, and performance, Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants (EALs)* provide the solution.

 

Castrol’s Bio Range delivers high performance for both onboard and submerged equipment – helping you meet global environmental regulations including, US VGP and VIDA requirements.

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Explore the Castrol Bio Range
Why choose the Castrol Bio Range?
The Castrol Bio Range is part of the Path360 family
Frequently asked questions

Explore the Castrol Bio Range

Stern tube oil

Castrol BioStat ST is an advanced EAL* providing a very good level of lubrication, wear protection, and corrosion resistance. Designed for stern tubes, CPP systems, and stabilisers, it offers good oxidation performance and hydrolytic stability in both fresh and emulsified conditions - enhancing reliability and component life.

Thruster gear oil

Castrol BioTrans GB is an EAL* for marine gearboxes. Formulated with fully saturated synthetic esters, it delivers extreme pressure performance with a good level of lubrication, corrosion protection, and oxidation performance – ideal for thruster gears, CPP systems, and deck machinery.

Multipurpose EP grease

Castrol BioTac MP2 is an EU Ecolabel registered EAL* multipurpose EP grease. Designed to provide corrosion protection, oxidation stability resistance, and reduced wash-off for medium to low speed bearings, open gears, and wire ropes on deck machinery.

Hydraulic oil

Suitable for cranes, winches, windlasses, lifeboat davits, and similar equipment, Castrol BioBar protects hydraulic systems and hydrostatic transmissions on vessels. It offers a wide operating temperature range, long service life, and reduced spillage risks.

Open gears grease

Castrol BioTac OG is a highly tenacious, high-load carrying EAL* for open gears. Highly resistant to water wash-off with very good corrosion protection, it is ideal for marine applications such as rack and pinion mechanisms on self-elevating drilling rigs.

Marine product finder tool

Unsure which product is best for your fleet? Try our DMS tool for the right answer.

Why choose the Castrol Bio Range?

Protect your equipment

Since 2010, Castrol has led the way in pioneering EALs* – combining extensive field experience with approvals from leading OEMs worldwide.

Protect the environment

Castrol’s Bio Range is biodegradable, minimally toxic, and non-bioaccumulative.

Help you stay compliant

Designed to meet 2018 US VIDA standards for Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants (EALs)*, following the 2013 VGP criteria.

Support your sustainability goals

Products that replace mineral oils and reduce your environmental impact – delivering protection, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency.

The Castrol Bio Range is part of the PATH360 family

Castrol's PATH360 is our holistic sustainability programme, expanding sustainable thinking into every facet of our business.

 

  • Saving waste
  • Reducing carbon
  • Improving people’s lives
Find out more about PATH360

Frequently asked questions

Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants (EALs)* are designed to reduce environmental impact in marine and industrial operations. Meeting U.S. EPA VGP (2013) and VIDA requirements for biodegradability, low toxicity, and non-bioaccumulation, EALs* can help minimise harm to marine ecosystems and help reduce the ecological footprint compared to conventional mineral oils.
EALs* can be used in any seal or surface on shipboard equipment where oil or oily mixtures may escape directly into surrounding waters. Oil-to-sea interfaces occur on both submerged and overboard-extending equipment. Typical applications include: azimuth thrusters, bow and stern thrusters, controllable pitch propellers (CPP), mechanical equipment subject to immersion, paddle wheel propulsion systems, rudder bearings, stern tubes, stabilisers, propulsion pods, and wire ropes.
Yes – OEMs increasingly recommend EALs* for critical marine applications to support regulatory compliance and equipment protection. OEM approval involves rigorous testing – covering technical performance, laboratory and field evaluations, and environmental assessments such as biodegradability and toxicity. Many OEMs validate EALs* against recognised standards, including the U.S. EPA Vessel General Permit (VGP) and EU Ecolabel, with approvals shared through official product lists or approval letters.

The Castrol Bio Range is engineered to match or exceed the performance of traditional mineral-based lubricants in key areas such as lubricity, wear protection, corrosion resistance, and thermal stability. While conventional lubricants provide reliable performance, they pose environmental risks due to poor biodegradability, higher toxicity, and potential bioaccumulation.

 

In contrast, EALs* deliver comparable protection and operational efficiency while offering biodegradability, minimal toxicity, and non-bioaccumulative properties. Although EALs* may have a higher initial cost, they support regulatory compliance and significantly reduce environmental impact – making them the preferred choice for sustainable marine operations.

Looking for something else?

Marine services

Learn about Castrol’s marine services – including scheduling support, condition monitoring, and consultancy solutions which can help optimise vessel performance.

Marine applications

Explore the marine sectors we support – from deep sea to dredgers, ferries to fishing vessels, and a variety of offshore operations.

Marine products

Explore our range of high-performance marine products. Designed to meet the latest environmental legislation, industry-specific OEM requirements, and the needs of your fleet.

Marine product finder tool

Use our DMS tool to find the recommended engine oil for your fleet. Select your location and enter the required information.
*A lubricant, including any oil or grease, that is ‘‘biodegradable,’’ ‘‘minimally toxic,’’ and ‘‘not bio accumulative’’ as defined by US VGP 2013.