Industries / Mining and tunnel construction

Water-based substitutes in mining and tunnel construction. These are the advantages of smart fluids.

Less downtime, more safety and environmentally friendly down to the ground – our water-based cooling lubricants and hydraulic fluids from TotalEnergies have been specially developed for the extreme requirements of mining and tunnel construction. They are flame-retardant, biodegradable and offer strong performance – even under high pressure.

Whether tunnel boring machine, longwall support or shotcrete pump: With TotalEnergies hydraulic fluids and our water-based cooling lubricants, you minimize the risk of fire, reduce environmental risks in the event of leaks and achieve the same or even better performance than conventional hydraulic oil. With our partner TotalEnergies, we support you with a precisely coordinated transformation service: from needs analysis to rollout.

Together with our partner TotalEnergies, our goal and aspiration is to completely replace all oil-based substitutes in a machine with water-based fluids from a uniform base. In this way, we prevent cross-contamination and ensure maximum purity and safety in all application scenarios.

15 minutes

Specific options

Non-binding

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Applications in metalworking and mechanical engineering

Application options in detail

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Frost and corrosion protection

Frost and corrosion protection reliably protects cooling systems and metal surfaces from freezing, rust and deposits – for long-lasting machines and stable processes.

  • Cooling systems for machine tools
  • Heat exchangers and heating systems
  • Vehicle radiators and engines
  • Industrial plants with water circuits
  • Storage or transport containers with metal parts

Advantages at a glance

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Increased occupational safety

Our fluids are non-flammable and reduce the risk of explosions in a methane gas environment. Ideal for underground applications.

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Environmentally friendly operation

99 % biodegradability in 28 days. Leaks pollute the soil and water significantly less than with oil-based hydraulic fluids.

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Stable under extreme conditions

Pressure, heat, dust: Our fluids remain powerful and stable – even with long operating times and heavy equipment.

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Certified quality

Our products meet international standards for environmental compatibility and occupational safety. Over 20 years of experience make us a reliable partner.

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All-round support

We take care of the entire changeover, including system cleaning, initial filling, training and aftercare. Safe. Fast. Systematically.
More about our transformation service

Let's find out together how oil-free fluids can make your production more effective and cost-efficient.

In our brief discussion, you describe your current situation – and receive a non-binding initial assessment of how your processes can become oil-free, safe and more efficient.

Book an appointment

Service

Transformation as a service.

Your path to oil-free machines and processes.

Fluid Competence accompanies you reliably with our partner TotalEnergies. We are there for you at every step of the transformation – from the initial analysis to the successful switch to high-performance, water-based substitutes. Our transformation service combines technical expertise with practical support – so that you can concentrate on the essentials. We remain at your side even after the changeover: with regular laboratory analyses and targeted adjustments, we ensure that your processes remain powerful and efficient.

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Step 1: Case consultation

In our case consultation, you describe your situation to us and receive a non-binding initial assessment of your transformation potential.

15 minutes

Specific options

Non-binding

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Step 2: Requirements analysis

Together we analyze your machines, your processes and the requirements of your industry. The aim is to provide a reliable basis for decision-making.

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Step 3: Transformation concept

After the analysis, we put together a concept for you. Your transformation plan contains time frames, responsibilities and specific measures.

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Step 4: System setup

The system setup is the central technical step in your changeover. We clean, check and fill your systems – structured, documented and accompanied on site.

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Step 5: Connection cost optimization

The use of smart fluids also changes your requirements and specifications. We help you to minimize all follow-up costs – in a structured and fully documented manner.

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Step 6: Process optimization and monitoring

After the changeover, we ensure that your systems continue to run optimally in the long term. With monitoring, laboratory analyses and targeted adjustments, we get the best out of your fluid.

Products

Smart products for smart processes.

We, Fluid Competence, develop water-based cooling lubricants and other technical functional fluids. Each product is individually and reliably adapted to our customers.

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Cooling lubricants and lubricants

Our water-based smart fluids combine cooling, lubrication and rinsing action in one fluid. Without mineral or bio-oil. Developed in the laboratory, tested in practice, ready for use in all machining processes.

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Frost and corrosion protection

Our oil-free protective fluids prevent corrosion and frost damage – ideal for cylinders, machine parts or complete systems.

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Slideway fluid

Our special fluids for slideways and bed ways offer maximum adhesion with minimum wear – completely without mineral base oils. Ideal for CNC systems and machining centers.

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Chainsaw fluid

Our oil-free fluids for chainsaws offer reliable lubrication and high adhesion. Whether in forestry operations or private use, they offer maximum material compatibility and are biodegradable.

Good questions.

Why are water-based hydraulic fluids advantageous in underground applications?

There are special requirements underground: Heat, dust, confined spaces – and a high safety risk. Our fluids are flame-retardant or even non-flammable, which significantly reduces the risk of fire. At the same time, they are biodegradable, making them the ideal choice for underground applications where environmental protection and employee safety are top priorities.

Our fluids are used in tunnel boring machines, hydraulic presses, conveyor systems, mine railroads and support systems, among others. These systems require fluids with high pressure absorption, low viscosity and low risk of foaming. Our special formulations offer all this – and at the same time reduce the risk of gumming or deposits.

Our water-based substitutes are up to 99% biodegradable and in many cases are not considered hazardous substances. This means: less damage to the environment and people, no costly disposal of used oil and less downtime. This is an enormous advantage, especially when working in water-bearing rock strata or near groundwater.

We work together with well-known OEMs and authorities. Our products have been tested many times, including for pressure resistance, material compatibility and temperature stability. They also meet international standards such as DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 or the requirements for HFA/HFC fluids in potentially explosive atmospheres. Detailed test reports and approvals are available on request.

The changeover is carried out in close coordination with the customer. We analyze the system, clean the machine, carry out initial filling and actively support the pilot phase – including training, analysis and fine-tuning. This ensures that operations continue seamlessly. Our customers particularly appreciate the fact that they have a contact person at their side right from the start.

Our fluids are designed for use in extreme conditions. We offer variants with excellent low-temperature fluidity that function reliably even at temperatures below -20 °C. At the same time, they remain stable in hot tunnel areas – without sacrificing viscosity or lubricity.

COMPARISON

Detailed comparison: oil, bio-oil and smart fluids

FeatureOilOrganic oilSmart Fluids
FlammabilityFlammable - high fire riskLow, but not ruled outNon-flammable - water-based eliminates risk
Corrosion protectionAgent - basic protection, reacts with waterMedium to high - tends to hydrolyze in damp conditionsVery high - molecular barrier prevents corrosion
Environmental compatibilityStressful - Difficult to break downBiodegradable, but unstableBiodegradable - residue-free and stable
Health risksToxic vapors possibleLow, but ageing can release unstable compoundsNone - No vapors or residues
Storage stabilityHigh - but sensitive to contaminationLimited - hydrolysis and oxidation possibleVery high - additives ensure long-lasting stability
Flammability
Oil

Flammable - high fire risk

Organic oil

Low, but not ruled out

Smart Fluids

Non-flammable - water-based eliminates risk

Corrosion protection
Oil

Agent - basic protection, reacts with water

Organic oil

Medium to high - tends to hydrolyze in damp conditions

Smart Fluids

Very high - molecular barrier prevents corrosion

Environmental compatibility
Oil

Stressful - Difficult to break down

Organic oil

Biodegradable, but unstable

Smart Fluids

Biodegradable - residue-free and stable

Health risks
Oil

Toxic vapors possible

Organic oil

Low, but ageing can release unstable compounds

Smart Fluids

None - No vapors or residues

Storage stability
Oil

High - but sensitive to contamination

Organic oil

Limited - hydrolysis and oxidation possible

Smart Fluids

Very high - additives ensure long-lasting stability

Let's find out together how oil-free fluids can make your production more effective and cost-efficient.

In our brief discussion, you describe your current situation – and receive a non-binding initial assessment of how your processes can become oil-free, safe and more efficient.

Book an appointment