Shell, TAFE tie up for co-engineering

CHENNAI: After partnering with passenger car companies like Maruti, Hyundai and Tata, the global leader in lubricants Shell is now working with tractor maker Tractors and Farm Equipments (TAFE), the flagship of Chennai-based Amalgamations' Group. Research shows that use of a suitable lubricant along with long-term co-engineering with theoriginal equipment manufacturer (OEM) can result in higher energy savings. "In passenger cars, fuel economy is no longer a product differentiator nor can it bring competitive advantage . But, energy savings and performance enhancement can," Nitin Prasad, managing director, Shell India said.  The lubricant maker said that in some cases, the hardware (or engine) gets modified. "We work in partnerships with OEMs all over the world," Cameron Watson, GM of Shell Global Solutions said, adding that lubricant has transformed into a design variable. The contours of the partnership with TAFE involves, among other things, enhancing the oil drain from the present 250 hours to 500 hours. This will be achieved using performance enhancers to the lubricant which in effect will result in energy savings and consequently financial savings. The trans-national energy giant is also working on biomass energy solutions. "Our work on the renewable energy space is research and scientific work for wind mills and biomass fuels," Prasad said. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Shell-TAFE-tie-up-for-co-engineering/articleshow/31075767.cms