Lube News, Updates on the Industry | Burke Oil

GREEN Hydraulic Fluids-Doug's Tip of the Month (Happy St. Paddy's Day)

Written by Doug Vrooman | Mar 17, 2026 3:00:01 PM

This St. Patrick’s Day, we’re highlighting products that help keep operations running smoothly while reducing environmental impact. Environmentally friendly lubricants and hydraulic fluids are designed to biodegrade more readily, minimize toxicity to aquatic life, and in many cases incorporate renewable or bio-based ingredients, helping protect soil and waterways in the event of leaks or spills. Environmentally Friendly Hydraulic Fluids are a great choice for Landscapers, DPWs, Golf Courses, Tree Services, Paving Companies and Municipalities – Schools, where green, lawns and the environment are a concern or consideration.

Environmentally Friendly Hydraulic Fluids can be manufactured with either Mineral based oils or Vegetable based oils. They can be either Inherently Biodegradable or Readily Biodegradable. They consist of the latest technologies in additives which eliminate the additives that are considered toxic, like Zinc and other heavy metal-based additives.

Inherently biodegradable is defined as > 20% but < 60% biodegradability as measured by OECD 301A-F testing. Readily biodegradable products are those that biodegrade quickly and completely (≥ 60% by OECD 301A-F/ASTM D7373 testing) within 28 days. They have the natural ability to biodegrade to their natural state when subjected to sunlight, water, and microbial activity. Readily biodegradable products are environmentally preferable.

Here at Dennis K Burke, we offer both Vegetable based and Mineral based Readily Biodegradable products such as:

Renewable Lubricants® Bio-AW Hydraulic Fluid

  • Vegetable Based

  • Readily Biodegradable

  • Zinc Free

  • Non-toxic

  • High Viscosity Index (VI)

  • Excellent Wear Protection

  • Excellent Solvency – Reduces deposits and varnish

 Renewable Lubricants Bio-fleet™ AW Hydraulic Fluid

  • Mineral/Petroleum base - Direct replacement for petroleum hydraulic fluids

  • Readily biodegradable, environmentally non-toxic, not bio-accumulative

  • Excellent oxidation stability and cold temperature performance

  • Improved oxidation stability over straight plant/vegetable oil formulations

  • Super high viscosity index provides energy efficiency in equipment

  • Environmentally friendly, zinc free formula

  • Highly filtered formulation meets or exceeds OEM pump particle count

  • Formulated with Stabilized technology increasing VI past synthetic levels

  • Great demulsification properties, inhibiting moisture and rust in both fresh and salt water

Petro Canada Environ MV R Hydraulic Fluid

  • Mineral Based

  • Readily Biodegradable

  • Zinc Free

  • Non-toxic

  • High Viscosity Index (VI)

  • Excellent Wear Protection

  • Excellent Solvency – Reduces deposits and varnish.

  • Excellent Hydrolytic Stability

Dennis K. Burke also offers Inherently Biodegradable products:

Phillips 66 Powerflow NZ Hydraulic Fluid

  • Mineral Based

  • Inherently Biodegradable

  • Zinc Free

  • Non-toxic

  • High Viscosity Index (VI)

  • Excellent Wear Protection

  • Excellent Solvency – Reduces deposits and varnish.

  • Excellent Hydrolytic Stability

Petro-Canada Environ AW and MV Hydraulic Fluid

  • Mineral Based

  • Inherently Biodegradable

  • Zinc Free

  • Non-toxic

  • High Viscosity Index (VI)

  • Excellent Wear Protection

  • Excellent Solvency – Reduces deposits and varnish.

  • Excellent Hydrolytic Stability

Going green isn’t just for St. Patrick’s Day. Environmentally friendly lubricants and hydraulic fluids are formulated to reduce environmental impact through biodegradability, lower aquatic toxicity, and in some cases renewable base oils, helping protect the land and waterways where equipment operates. Please reach out to your Sales Representative or me (Doug Vrooman – Sr Technical Advisor) with your application and needs for best recommendation!