While it's still finding its way, green technology is becoming more and more readily available within the construction industry. In this Q&A panel, we asked oil and lubricant manufacturers to identify where they are with current technology, what benefits it provides and where they see green going in future.

Which products or product lines offered by your company for construction and/or heavy-duty use would be considered "green" fluid technology?
Shell: We recently introduced Shell Rotella T6 full synthetic diesel engine oil that promotes fuel economy performance, and Shell Tellus EE to help increase the energy efficiency of hydraulic systems.

ConocoPhillips: Our "green" products generally can be divided into three groups. Firebird re-refined lubricants are formulated with greater than 50% high-quality, re-refined base stocks. This product line was specifically developed to encourage recycling of used oil and to minimize the environmental impact of its disposal. 

Synterra and Ecoterra ashless (zinc-free) anti-wear hydraulic fluids are intended for use in mobile equipment operating in environmentally sensitive areas. They do not contain heavy metals. They do include both readily biodegradable and inherently biodegradable fluids, thus offering reduced environmental impact in case of leaks or spills.