This research work investigates the environmental impact and tribological performance of glycerol-based lubricants, highlighting their potential as innovative, green lubrication solutions. It starts with a comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) comparing glycerol-based lubricants with traditional mineral and vegetable-based options. The study assesses environmental impacts through various stages, from raw material extraction to production, with a focus on sustainability metrics such as global warming, resource scarcity, eutrophication and acidification, and toxicity. The second phase of the research involves detailed tribological testing using a micropitting rig under both rolling and sliding contact conditions to evaluate the friction and wear characteristics of glycerol-based hydraulic lubricants under varied operational conditions. These tests explore the lubricants' ability to reduce wear and maintain film thickness under dynamic loads, providing insights into their practical applications and potential as sustainable alternatives to conventional lubricants. 

The results show the dual benefits of glycerol-based lubricants, where across all considered environmental impact categories, the pure glycerol lubricant showcases a significant reduction, about 96.5% lower than the mineral-based group II base oil and 40.6% lower than that of vegetable-based rapeseed refined oil. Additionally, in tribological testing, glycerol hydraulic lubricants consistently maintained friction coefficients that were lower by 20% compared to those of a reference mineral-based lubricant. These results support the wider adoption of glycerol-based lubricants, improving sustainability in industrial lubrication practices.