Counterfeit automotive lubricants is a global issue, impacting both consumers and manufacturers. The spread is fueled by the high profit margins associated with selling imitation products at significantly lower prices. These fakes often use substandard base oils, insufficient additives or even recycled waste products, resulting in lubricants that offer drastically reduced protection and performance compared to the genuine products. This not only damages a vehicle’s engine but also undermines consumer trust and brand reputation.
In Africa, the automotive market is a critical sector that contributes significantly to the region’s economy. However, the industry is heavily shadowed by the proliferation of counterfeit lubricants in the market. Industry stakeholders, manufacturers and vehicle owners are facing a substantial economic losses associated with this issue. These counterfeit products often flood the market, infiltrating legitimate supply chains and deceive unsuspecting consumers.
“Counterfeiting is a major concern in the automotive industry, especially for spare parts and lubricants, where safety and brand reputation are critical. ValiGate®, developed by SCRIBOS, combines advanced security features with a digital platform that provides real-time insights into product authentication and counterfeit hotspots”, explains Ninon Mathe, International Key Account Manager at SCRIBOS.
Additionally, as a consumer, it is important to be aware of the risks associated with counterfeit lubricants in the market. These illicit products not only pose a threat to your vehicle’s performance but also endanger your safety on the road.
“Counterfeit automotive lubricants pose significant challenges to the automotive sector, causing loss of revenues, damages and accidents,” asserts Guankai (GK) NG – Business Development Director at Nabcore.
Knowing how to identify these counterfeits is key for protecting your investment and ensuring your safety.
Innovations and Solutions in Combating Counterfeit Automotive Lubricants
Years back, the primary method of identifying counterfeit lubricants relied on visual inspection – checking labels for inconsistencies, examining packaging for imperfections and noting discrepancies in the product’s viscosity or color. However, sophisticated counterfeiters became adept at mimicking even the most minute details, rendering visual inspection largely ineffective.
This demanded a multi-faceted approach incorporating advanced technologies and collaborative efforts across the industry. In response to this persistent problem, various innovations and solutions have been developed to combat this problem.
According to Guankai, “To combat this growing issue, there are 2 types of new solutions that can be adopted across the supply chain: Smart Packaging and Product Markers.”
Additionally, from advancements in authentication technology, collaborative industry efforts and consumer awareness campaigns, stakeholders are actively working towards safeguarding the market and protecting consumers from the risks associated with counterfeit lubricants. These include:
Advanced Packaging Technology
Manufacturers are employing sophisticated packaging techniques to make counterfeiting more and more difficult. This includes unique labeling with tamper-evident features, serialized packaging, holographic security seals that exhibit 2D/3D effects and color shifts, along with specialized security inks (like UV inks only visible under UV light or thermochromic inks that change color with temperature), makes replication significantly harder. RFID tags and QR codes are also increasingly used to verify product authenticity in real-time. This allows instant checks against genuine product databases and flags duplicates or unknown codes.
“At the heart of ValiGate® is a serialized, copy-proof QR code containing an encrypted, patented pattern that cannot be replicated. Any attempt to copy the code results in degradation of the embedded security pattern, making counterfeiting immediately detectable,” Mathe highlights. “Its key advantage is that it can be printed directly onto products or packaging using standard Flexo, Offset, or HP printing technologies, eliminating the need for separate security labels and ensuring seamless integration into manufacturing,” she adds.
In his opinion, Guankai adds that, “Unique security codes such as Anti-copy codes or Encrypted QR codes can be printed directly onto lubricant bottles to become smart packaging. These security codes can also be printed onto tamper-evident labels and applied as product seal.”
Tamper-Evident Seals and Closures
Moving beyond simple caps, manufacturers are using more sophisticated seals and closures that are extremely difficult to replicate without specialized equipment. These can include heat-shrink sleeves with unique patterns and complex cap designs that show visible signs of tampering.
Unique Container Designs
Custom-designed bottles with intricate molds are harder to copy than generic containers. These may include embedded logos, textures and unique shapes. Some brands are even exploring materials beyond standard plastic, which are more difficult or costly for counterfeiters to source and process.
Blockchain Technology
Blockchain’s decentralized and immutable nature offers a powerful tool to track lubricants throughout their supply chain. Each stage of production, distribution and sale can be recorded on a blockchain, making it impossible to introduce counterfeit products undetected. This enhances transparency and accountability within the supply chain.
Real-Time Anti-Counterfeit Management
Modern anti-counterfeiting management platforms offer a multi-layered approach to tackling this prevalent problem. These platforms leverage various technologies to provide comprehensive protection.
“For brands, the SCRIBOS 360 platform provides real-time insights, live scan data, alerts, and detailed reports, enabling effective anti-counterfeiting management,” says Mathe. “A strong example is TotalEnergies, which has adopted ValiGate® in combination with SCRIBOS 360, to protect its global lubricant product range. This integration has streamlined operations and allows consumers worldwide to authenticate products with ease, setting a new benchmark for anti-counterfeiting in the automotive industry.”
Chemical Fingerprinting and Spectroscopy
Sophisticated analytical techniques like spectroscopy (FTIR, Raman) and chemical fingerprinting are used to verify the lubricant’s chemical composition and compare it against the manufacturer’s specifications. This can involve adding trace elements or complex chemical markers that can be detected through advanced laboratory analysis. These methods can quickly and accurately identify counterfeit products based on variations in their chemical makeup.
In his words, Guankai adds that, “Product Markers such as Nano-taggants are further advancements that can be added directly and mixed into the lubricants or plastic bottles during production. Product markers provide forensic security through identification of unique material characteristic, enabling quick detection of counterfeit lubricants with portable scanners.”
Smartphone Authentication Apps
Many manufacturers are developing mobile apps that allow consumers to scan QR codes or unique markings on lubricant containers to verify authenticity. These apps connect to databases containing information about legitimate products and can alert users to potential counterfeits. Mathe further explains, “ValiGate® empowers consumers through a simple smartphone authentication process. Without needing an app, users can scan the QR code to instantly verify product authenticity, enhancing trust and confidence.”
“The combination of physical and digital technologies empowers consumers to authenticate their product purchases via smartphones,” affirms Guankai. He went on to add that, “Verification of security codes allow consumer engagement and tracking of the lubricants from production to distribution. This ensures traceability and builds trust with customers.”
Consumer Education
Raising consumer awareness about the dangers of counterfeit lubricants is equally important. This can involve easily accessible information on company websites, media campaigns and partnerships with consumer advocacy groups. Educating drivers on how to identify suspicious products and where to purchase genuine lubricants can significantly reduce the demand for fake products.
Enhanced Collaboration and Law Enforcement
Industry collaboration is crucial in combating counterfeiting. Manufacturers are working together to share information, develop best practices and support law enforcement efforts to identify and prosecute counterfeiters. International cooperation is also vital to address the transnational nature of this criminal activity. Moreover, working closely with customs and border control agencies to identify and intercept counterfeit lubricants entering the country is crucial. This involves sharing information, training officers in identifying counterfeits and participating in joint operations.
“Technology alone can assist brand owners to prevent loss of revenue due to counterfeiting. However, collaboration among manufacturers, retailers, and technology providers is still essential to safeguard consumers and ensure that only high-quality lubricants reach the market,” concludes Guankai.
The challenge of counterfeit Automotive lubricants poses a significant threat to vehicle performance, consumer safety and brand integrity. As technology advances, so do anti-counterfeiting solutions offering promising ways to authenticate products and track their origins. The fight against this issue has spurred considerable innovation, leading to advancements in several key areas to detect and deter the proliferation of counterfeit lubricants safeguard both drivers and manufacturers.
