KYB said it has developed an environmentally friendly hydraulic fluid for shock absorbers.

The newly developed SustainaLubeliminates the environmental risks associated with petroleum, according to KYB. The  

Full release to the market is planned for 2026.

The new fluid contributes to carbon neutrality by switching from petroleum-derived base oil to naturally derived base oil. It absorbs CO₂ from the atmosphere during cultivation of the plants used for the base-oil raw materials, also reducing CO₂ emissions during transportation, according to KYB.  

SustainaLub is biodegradable up to 60% or more according to the Eco Mark certification standard (OECD301). The base-oil and additive formulation is recyclable, reducing environmental issues in the long term, KYB noted.

“As a specialized global manufacturer of hydraulic equipment, KYB has long been involved in maintaining and improving the safety and comfort of automobiles,” the company said in a news release. “Using that experience, we are striving to achieve environmental balance without compromising performance or reliability. Not only does SustainaLub improve maneuverability and stability by applying it to the various damping force valves that we already offer, but it also improves the feel of the product by applying friction-control technology, for example KYB Prosmooth shock absorbers.”

Replacing petroleum-based oil in KYB shock absorbers with this new hydraulic fluid will save up to 15.6 million liters of oil per year, according to KYB.

Tested in Japan

All new KYB products undergo reliability evaluation at the KYB Development Center in Japan.

“Thorough performance and quality evaluation involves both bench tests and actual vehicle testing on our state-of-the-art test track,” KYB said. “This in-house design of a hydraulic oil recipe is unique to a manufacturer specializing in shock absorbers.”

The KYB team participating in the All Japan Rally Championship JN-2 class introduced SustainaLub to their vehicles from Round 6 onwards They analyzed and verified the performance and durability in the harsh race environment, KYB noted.  

In addition, SustainaLub was trialed in the vehicle used in the Lexus ROV (Recreational off-Highway Vehicle) Concept customer-experience program. It was used for Lexus’s first ROV equipped with a hydrogen engine. The data accumulated also contributes to technology development for future practical applications, and work toward the realization of a carbon-neutral society.

“KYB plans to ultimately apply the technology to all hydraulic products involved in realizing a sustainable mobility society,” the company said. “As a specialized manufacturer of hydraulic equipment, KYB has long been working to improve the ride comfort and handling stability of automobiles. Based on this experience, KYB will continue to pursue advances in performance and reliability while keeping environmental impact at the forefront of development.”