
Shell PANOLIN Lubricants
Shell PANOLIN is our range of high-performance lubricants tested (e.g. OECD 301 series criteria) for a biodegradable profile,1 and lower aquatic environmental impact 2, including reduced environmental persistence, suitable for use in environmentally regulated applications and sectors 3.

More Industry, Less Impact
Across the Shell PANOLIN range, we offer lubricants designed to deliver outstanding equipment protection in demanding operating environments. A range of high-performance 4 lubricants tested (e.g. OECD 301 series criteria) for ready biodegradability, 1 designed for demanding industrial applications including construction, marine, forestry, and agriculture. Backed by over four decades of expertise 5.
Key Benefits
Longer oil life
Shell PANOLIN products help reduce lubricant consumption, waste and maintenance requirements 2, 6. Shell PANOLIN S4 HLP Synth 32, 46, and 68 are the first Bosch Rexroth-approved HEES hydraulic fluids, demonstrating their capability in demanding hydraulic applications.6
Reduced downtime
Shell PANOLIN lubricants can help customers operate without compromise. Our S4+ higher-performance products combine extended oil life, excellent oxidative stability, and superior equipment protection to maximise uptime, improve efficiency, and reduce environmental impact. Leveraging advanced saturated ester technology, Shell PANOLIN lubricants deliver outstanding performance under demanding conditions, while excellent water separation, shear stability, and high viscosity indices help protect equipment and extend service life. 7, 8, 9, 10
Operate in demanding conditions
Shell PANOLIN lubricants help customers operate with confidence in demanding environments 2. Evaluated against readily biodegradable criteria (e.g. OECD 301 series criteria), 1 and engineered for performance, they provide reliable protection across extreme temperatures, high loads, and challenging operating conditions. With excellent shear stability, wear protection, water resistance, and corrosion protection, Shell PANOLIN lubricants help maximise equipment reliability, efficiency, and service life 3,4,5,6.
Designed to meet environmental regulations
Shell PANOLIN is our range of high-performance lubricants tested (e.g. OECD 301 series criteria) for a biodegradability profile,1 and lower aquatic environmental impact 2, suitable for use in environmentally regulated applications and sectors 3.
For example Shell PANOLIN S4 Hydraulic OS C EAL meets Ospar requirements and Shell PANOLIN S4 HLP Synth EAL meets US VGP requirements.
Environmentally Acceptable Lubricant (EAL) is a term defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for lubricants that meet specific criteria for biodegradability, minimal aquatic toxicity, and low bioaccumulation potential, as established under the 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP).18
Shell uses the EAL designation within selected product names to help customers easily identify lubricants that meet these requirements. These products are typically supported by independent third-party certifications, such as the EU Ecolabel, which verify their environmental performance.
Shell PANOLIN EAL lubricants are designed to comply with VGP requirements for marine and offshore applications and are also used in certain environmentally regulated applications onshore, particularly in regions such as the Nordics and Germany where demand for environmentally acceptable lubricants (EALs) is well established 19.
Sectors and Applications
Shell PANOLIN lubricants have been trusted across a range of sectors for a lot of years.

Construction

Mining

Agriculture

Hydropower

Marine

Forestry
See where Shell PANOLIN products can be used in your construction equipment by exploring our 3D application guides below.
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Disclaimers
1 All Shell PANOLIN lubricants biodegradability claims are substantiated by component-based biodegradability test data as a % by mass according to OECD 301B and available in Technical Data Sheets. When certified by EU Ecolabel our products claim "biodegradable as per the requirements of EU Ecolabel (EEL)". In addition our products meet industry standard requirement requesting biodegradability testing of the finished lubricants in accordance with ISO 15380, EN 17181:2019 and EN 16807:2016.
[Note: ISO 15380, EN 17181:2019 and EN 16807:2016 are not recognised by the Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive (ECGTD) as substantiation for a claim of "Biodegradable, Readily Biodegradable" as testing is conducted at Product-Level and is not a certified Ecolabel Scheme, this is a technical description of an industry standard and test methods used in the Industry to screen products]
For example at least 87% on mass of Shell PANOLIN S4 HLP Synth 46 components are readily biodegradable achieving a passing result of ≥60% according to OECD 301B and meets the requirements of EN 17181:2019, a modified OECD 301B based test method for determining the aerobic biodegradation of fully formulated lubricants.
2 Offers reduced impact of leaks or accidental spillage into aquatic environments compared to conventional mineral oils thanks to their biodegradability profile. (Publication EPA 800-R-11-002).
3 For example: Shell PANOLIN S4 Hydraulic OS C EAL 22 is particularly suited for subsea, offshore, and marine applications where CEFAS and OSPAR compliance is required. Shell PANOLIN S4 HLP Synth EAL 46 is particularly suited for applications mandating Ecolabels and compliance with US EPA 2013 VGP requirements for environmentally acceptable lubricants.
4 Indicated by S4 and above in our product names.
5 Shell Naturelle products were marketed for over 25 years and PANOLIN since 1980s. We have retained the formulations and approved during the acquisition and all that has changed is the name of the product for customers.
6 In comparison to unsaturated type HEES, Shell PANOLIN S4 tier are typically formulated with saturated esters and oil life is measured in accordance with Industry Standards ISO 4263-3. Actual effects and benefits may vary. No guarantees provided.
7 The product oil-drain interval and maintenance procedures are influenced by equipment type and operating conditions; results may vary. No guarantees are provided. Follow your equipment manufacturer’s recommendations.
8 In comparison to unsaturated ester type HEES. Shell PANOLIN S4 HLP Synth fluids were developed to increase the oil life, with an outstanding dry TOST life of over 6000 hours (modified ASTM D943 test).
9 Oxidation Stability tested in accordance with Industry Standards D2070 and in comparison to unsaturated ester type HEES, particularly on our S4 products.
10 Shell PANOLIN S4 Gear oils also have high VI providing shear stability which helps protects components over a wide temperature range tested using industry standard DIN 51360-6 and Shell PANOLIN S4 Gear has excellent shear stability, tested according to industry standard CEC L048-00-A.
11 Offers reduced impact of leaks or accidental spillage into aquatic environments compared to conventional mineral oils thanks to their biodegradability profile. (Publication EPA 800-R-11-002).
12 Shell PANOLIN S4 hydraulics range* are designed to protect machines over a wide temperature operating range and high viscosity index fluids enable increased hydraulics efficiency, in comparison to typical HM mineral oils, tested in line with standard ASTM D97, ASTM D2270 and DIN 51360-6. The range also
13 Shell PANOLIN S4 Gear oils also have high VI providing shear stability which helps protects components over a wide temperature range. *Excluding Shell PANOLIN S4 NSF 46
14 Shell PANOLIN S4 Gear has excellent shear stability, tested according to industry standard CEC L048-00-A.
16 Excellent foam control and demulsibility properties (water separation) are coupled with load carrying characteristics that help to reduce consumption in products such as Shell PANOLIN S4 Stern Tube EAL.
17 Shell PANOLIN S4 HLP Synth The first Bosch Rexroth approved HEES hydraulic oil, is designed to help equipment operate without interruptions. Measured using industry standards. Actual effects and benefits may vary. No guarantees provided.