THEMarketREPORT
NE W S • BRIEFIN G • N EW P RODU CTS • T EC H NOLO GY
Vivo Energy launches new Shell oil
with PurePlus Technology
Shell Lubricants
wins Sub-Saharan
Africa Frost and
Sullivan Award for
product leadership
F
Yusuf Kipruto
V
Left to right Vivo Energy lubricants sales manager Mr Stephen Gikonyo and the MD
Mr Polycarp Igathe pose with models during the launch
ivo Energ y Kenya, t he
official Shell licensee, has
launched new Shell Helix
Ultra lubricants with Pure
Plus technology into the market. Other
new products in the Helix range were also
launched. They are: the Shell Helix HX3
SAE40, Shell Helix HX5 15W40, Shell Helix
HX7 10W40 and Shell Helix HX8 5W30.
Speaking during the launch, Vivo Energy
lubricants sales manager Mr. Stephen Gikonyo
said the new lubricants introduce a new
chapter in region’s lubricant landscape in the
region.
“Lubricants with this technology are made
from natural gas. We all know that majority
of the base oils are derived from crude oils,
which has impurities in it. The Gas To Liquid
technology ensures that we get crystal clear
base oil which is 99.5% pure” he said.
Speaking during the launch Vivo Energy
Managing Director Mr. Polycarp Igathe
lauded the innovation, saying the constantly
changing business environment demands that
companies use innovation to stay ahead of the
market.
“Today marks a great day for Vivo Energy
since our entry into the country three years
ago. The company’s belief in the promise and
potential of the country has enabled us make
great strides into the industry,” he said.
“This new products made from an industry
revolution from Shell global now available in
the market. They offer great value to our clients
and encourage our distributors, retailers, and
business partners to embrace these products,”
he added.
6
“Some of the benefits derived from
using these lubricants are improved engine
cleanliness because the base oil is 99.5 percent
pure. Research has actually shown that while
using the Shell Helix Ultra gives a consumer
a 3 percent fuel economy, while allowing easy
cold start and low oil consumption’, said Mr
Gikonyo.
This observation was further echoed by
Shell technicians during their launch in 2014,
who said that the Shell PurePlus Technology
base oils have consistently lower viscosity at
cold temperatures (-25° to -40C°) so they start
lubricating an engine straight away from a cold
start. These properties translate into important
performance benefits for the engine, including
improved cleaning, wear protection, and fuel
economy. Mr. Igathe also took the platform to
encourage the government to encourage local
blending of lubricants in the country to boost
the economy.
“Shell has one of the largest Lubricant Oil
Blending Plants in the region and employs
many Kenyans in our plants. It is a pity that
finished lubricants are imported as baseoils
through the watch of relevant government
bodies,” he said.
“Policy enforcement must be made to
ensure that only virgin base oils are imported
and local blending encouraged.” He added.
“The economy is growing, industries
are opening, infrastructure is developing,
machinery is being imported from Asia,
Europe and America, all these equipment
need to be lubricated and we have the local
capacity to adequately supply these industries
and further develop the lubricant industry in
Kenya,” said Mr. Igathe. ■
rost and Sullivan has recognized
Shell Lubricants with the 2014 subSaharan Africa award for product
leadership. Frost and Sullivan
said the award was conferred on the firm in
recognition of the strides that Shell had made
in the base oil production using its Pearl gas to
liquid plant in Qat