If you manage a steel plant, run a fleet of commercial vehicles, or oversee maintenance at a factory, you have probably come across the name “HP Lithon Grease” more than once. And for good reason.
HP Lithon is one of India’s most trusted industrial greases — made by Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) under their HP Lubricants brand. It has been protecting bearings, shafts, and machinery across India’s heaviest industries for decades. But here is where many plant managers and maintenance teams go wrong: they buy “Lithon grease” without knowing which grade or variant is right for their specific application.
Use the wrong grade, and you are looking at premature bearing failure, increased maintenance costs, and unplanned downtime. Use the right one, and your machinery runs smoothly, your bearings last longer, and your maintenance team has one less fire to fight.
In this guide, we break down everything you need to know about HP Lithon Grease — the different grades, their specifications, where each one should be used, and how to get the right one for your needs. Whether you are a procurement manager at a steel mill or a fleet maintenance supervisor looking for the right grease for your trucks and loaders — this guide is for you.
| Available at Lube Tradeways: We are an authorized HPCL CFA and Distributor in Chandigarh, stocking the complete HP Lithon grease range. Call +91 84277 70838 or visit www.lubetradeways.com. |
What Is HP Lithon Grease?
HP Lithon Grease is a range of first-quality lithium soap-based greases manufactured by HP Lubricants (HPCL). Lithium soap greases are the most widely used industrial greases in the world — and for good reason. They strike an excellent balance between performance, temperature range, water resistance, and cost-effectiveness.
At its core, HP Lithon is built on a lithium soap thickener combined with high-quality mineral base oil, enhanced with additives that provide:
- Water resistance: the grease does not wash out or emulsify in wet or humid environments
- Corrosion inhibition: actively protects metal surfaces from rust and oxidation
- Oxidation stability: the grease does not degrade or harden prematurely even during long service intervals
- Mechanical stability: retains its structure and does not bleed or separate under working conditions
The Lithon series was developed to meet the varied requirements of bearing manufacturers and industrial operators across India. It meets IS:7623-1993 and IPSS 1-09-006 standards — making it a recognized and approved product for use in SAIL and other major steel plant operations.
| Key Fact: HP Lithon Grease is approved for use in SAIL (Steel Authority of India Limited) steel plants, meeting IPSS standards — a mark of its quality and reliability in the toughest industrial environments. |
HP Lithon Grease Grades: The Complete Range
HP Lithon comes in multiple grades and variants, each designed for specific conditions and applications. Here is a complete overview:
| Grade / Variant | NLGI Grade | Temp Range | Key Features | Best Application |
| Lithon 2 | 2 | Up to 130 deg C | Standard multipurpose, water-resistant, corrosion inhibited | General industrial bearings, motors, pumps |
| Lithon 3 | 3 | Up to 130 deg C | Firmer consistency, better seal retention | High-speed bearings, machine tools |
| Lithon EP1 | 1 | Up to 140 deg C | Extreme pressure additive, pumpable, good for auto-lube | Centralized lube systems, conveyors, slow-speed heavy bearings |
| Lithon EP2 | 2 | Up to 140 deg C | EP additive, high load capacity, shear stable | Steel mills, paper mills, railway axle boxes, heavy machinery |
| Lithon EP2 (Steel) | 2 | Up to 140 deg C | High weld load, designed for sponge iron plants | Steel plant bearings with extreme pressure requirements |
| Lithon EP2 (S) | 2 | Up to 140 deg C | Good pumpability, meets SAIL/IPSS specs | Centralized grease systems in steel plants |
| Lithon M2 Plus | 2 | Up to 200 deg C+ | High-temp, special adhesion, unique EP additives | Blast furnace area bearings, high-heat zones |
| Lithon Industrial 2 & 3 | 2, 3 | Up to 130 deg C | Meets IS:7623-1993, IPSS 1-09-006 | Steel mills, paper mills, electric motors, generators, pumps |
| Pro Tip: When in doubt between Lithon 2 and Lithon EP2, choose EP2. The extreme pressure additive provides extra protection with no downside for standard bearing applications. For centralized auto-lube systems, always go with Lithon EP1 (softer grade) for better pumpability. |
HP Lithon Grease in Steel Mills: A Detailed Guide
Steel manufacturing is one of the most demanding environments any lubricant can face. Bearings and equipment in steel plants deal with:
- Extremely high temperatures near furnaces, casters, and rolling lines
- Heavy shock loads during rolling, pressing, and forming operations
- Water and steam exposure from continuous cooling systems
- Scale, dust, and metal particle contamination
- Long operating hours with minimal downtime for maintenance
This is why choosing the right HP Lithon grade for steel plant applications is not a small decision. Here is how to match the grade to the zone in your plant:
General Mill Area Bearings — Lithon EP2
For standard anti-friction bearings (ball and roller bearings) across the mill — including conveyor drives, roll neck bearings in roughing and finishing mills, and pump bearings — Lithon EP2 is the workhorse grade. Its extreme pressure additives handle shock loads and heavy radial forces without film breakdown.
Lithon EP2 is also approved for railway axle box bearings, which tells you something about the kind of load and vibration it can handle. In steel mills, it is the default recommendation for most general-purpose bearing lubrication.
Sponge Iron & High Weld Load Applications — Lithon EP2 (Steel)
If you are running a sponge iron plant or any operation that involves extremely high weld loads, standard Lithon EP2 may not be enough. Lithon EP2 (Steel) is specifically designed for these demanding conditions. It has higher weld load properties than standard EP grades, making it the right choice for bearings operating near DRI (Direct Reduced Iron) rotary kilns and sponge iron cooling drums.
Centralized Greasing Systems — Lithon EP2 (S) and Lithon EP1
Most large steel plants run centralized automatic grease lubrication systems — single-point or multi-point auto-lube systems that pump grease to dozens or hundreds of bearing points simultaneously. For these systems, pumpability is critical. A grease that is too firm will block lines and fail to reach bearings.
Lithon EP2 (S) has been specifically formulated with good pumping ability while still meeting SAIL and IPSS standards. Lithon EP1 (NLGI 1) is the even softer option for long-line centralized systems with high back pressure requirements.
Blast Furnace & High-Heat Zone Bearings — Lithon M2 Plus
Bearings located near blast furnaces, hot strip mills, or continuous casting machines face temperatures that can exceed 150 degrees C even at the bearing housing. Standard Lithon EP2 begins to soften and bleed at sustained temperatures above 140 degrees C.
Lithon M2 Plus is specifically recommended for bearings in the blast furnace area. It is a high-quality lithium-based grease fortified with unique additives that maintain extreme pressure performance at elevated temperatures. Its special adhesion properties ensure the grease film stays in place even in high-vibration, high-heat environments where conventional greases would throw off or drain away.
| Steel Plant Checklist: General mill bearings = Lithon EP2 | Sponge iron / high weld load = Lithon EP2 (Steel) | Centralized auto-lube = Lithon EP2 (S) or EP1 | Blast furnace area = Lithon M2 Plus. Contact Lube Tradeways for bulk supply of all grades. |
HP Lithon Grease for Vehicles: What You Need to Know
Steel plants are not the only place where HP Lithon grease proves its worth. It is equally valuable in automotive and vehicle maintenance applications — from heavy commercial trucks and construction equipment to agricultural machinery and passenger cars.
Wheel Bearings on Commercial Vehicles & Trucks
Truck wheel bearings take a beating — constant rolling loads, vibration, and occasional water and mud exposure. HP Lithon EP2 is a reliable choice for truck and heavy vehicle wheel bearings. Its water resistance prevents washout during monsoon operations or river crossings, and its EP additive handles shock loads on rough Indian roads.
For heavy-duty commercial vehicles running under extreme loads — mining dump trucks, heavy haulage rigs — Lithon EP2 provides the film strength to prevent metal-to-metal contact even under peak load conditions.
Chassis Lubrication: Pins, Bushes & Joints
Every truck and bus has dozens of lubrication points on the chassis — king pins, tie rod ends, drag links, spring eye bolts, and shackle pins. These are all grease-filled points exposed to water, mud, and heavy steering loads.
Lithon EP2 is well-suited for chassis lubrication points on heavy commercial vehicles. Its EP additive protects against wear at slow-oscillating high-load pin joints, and its water resistance ensures it stays in place through the Indian monsoon season.
Railway Axle Box Bearings
Lithon EP2 is specifically approved for ball and roller bearings of railway axle boxes — a demanding application that requires excellent load-carrying capacity, water resistance, and long service intervals. If your maintenance work involves railway rolling stock, HP Lithon EP2 is the HPCL-recommended grade.
Splined Shafts & Fretting Corrosion Applications
One underrated application of HP Lithon greases is preventing fretting corrosion on splined shafts — the micro-movement wear that occurs at mating surfaces that are under load but experiencing very slight relative motion. Lithon M2 is specifically noted as suitable for lubrication of splined shafts in this context, making it a good choice for driveshaft splines and coupling connections on heavy vehicles and industrial drives.
HP Lithon Grease Across Other Industries
Beyond steel mills and vehicles, HP Lithon serves as a reliable lubricant across multiple other industry verticals. Here is a quick breakdown:
Electric Motors & Generators
Electric motors are the most common application for NLGI 2 lithium grease in any factory. HP Lithon 2 and Lithon EP2 are the standard recommendations for industrial motor bearings across all sectors. The grease stays in place at motor operating temperatures, resists contamination, and provides long service intervals between re-greasing.
For high-speed motors (above 3,000 RPM), Lithon 3 or a softer EP1 grade may be preferred to reduce churning losses. Always check the motor nameplate or OEM manual for the specified grade.
Paper Mills
Paper mills are wet, humid environments where water washout is a constant threat. Lithon EP2 provides excellent protection for dryer section felt roll bearings and press roll bearings — resisting the steam and condensate exposure inherent in paper manufacturing.
Conveyors & Material Handling
Long conveyor systems — whether in mining, steel, cement, or ports — use dozens of idler roll bearings and drive bearings. Lithon EP1 (pumpable grade) is ideal for centralized auto-lube systems on conveyor lines. Lithon EP2 is the manual re-greasing option for individual bearing points.
Machine Tools & Precision Equipment
Lithon 3 (firmer NLGI 3 grade) is recommended for machine tool spindle bearings and other high-speed precision applications where seal retention and minimal oil bleeding are important. The firmer consistency reduces the risk of grease entering the work area and contaminating machined parts.
Pumps & Compressors
Centrifugal pumps and reciprocating compressors commonly use Lithon 2 or Lithon EP2 for their bearing lubrication. The water resistance of Lithon is particularly valuable in pump applications where water ingress is common.
How to Use HP Lithon Grease: Application Best Practices
Buying the right grease is only half the battle. Applying it correctly is what actually protects your equipment. Here are the key best practices:
- Clean the Bearing Before Re-greasing
Never pump fresh grease into a bearing without removing old, degraded grease first. Old grease contaminated with wear particles, water, or oxidation byproducts will dilute the fresh grease and reduce its effectiveness. Use a solvent wipe or flush for heavily contaminated bearings before refilling.
- Do Not Over-grease
This is the most common mistake across Indian industries. Over-greasing a bearing causes churning — the rolling elements have to fight through excess grease, generating heat. This heat degrades the grease rapidly and can damage seals. A bearing typically needs to be filled to only 30-50% of the available cavity space.
| Over-greasing Rule of Thumb: If grease is pushing out of the seal while you are pumping, stop. The bearing is full. More grease at this point is doing damage, not providing protection. |
- Follow the Re-lubrication Interval
HP Lithon greases are formulated for long service life, but they are not maintenance-free. Standard re-lubrication intervals for NLGI 2 lithium grease in a typical industrial bearing running at moderate temperature are 3-6 months. For bearings in high-heat, high-speed, or contaminated environments, interval should be shortened accordingly.
- Never Mix Greases Without a Compatibility Check
HP Lithon is a lithium soap grease. Mixing it with calcium soap grease, polyurea grease, or other incompatible thickeners can cause the grease to soften dramatically, losing its structure and protective film. Before switching from one grease type to another, check compatibility — or flush the bearing thoroughly with the new grease before switching fully.
- Store Grease Properly
Grease should be stored in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and temperature extremes. Keep containers sealed when not in use. Contaminated grease — even a small amount of water or dust — can introduce those contaminants directly into your bearings.
Why Buy HP Lithon Grease from Lube Tradeways?
With dozens of lubricant sellers across Punjab and Haryana, you might wonder what sets Lube Tradeways apart. Here is the honest answer:
- Authorized HPCL CFA & Distributor: we are not a grey market reseller. Every product we supply is genuine HP Lubricants, sourced directly from HPCL. You get the original product, not a lookalike.
- Complete HP Lithon Range in Stock: Lithon 2, 3, EP1, EP2, EP2 (Steel), EP2 (S), M2 Plus — we maintain stock of the full range so you are never waiting for the grade you actually need.
- Bulk Supply Capability: whether you need 1 kg tins for workshop use or 50 kg drums for plant lubrication, we supply in all pack sizes. Competitive pricing for large industrial orders.
- Technical Guidance: our team can help you identify the right Lithon grade for your specific application. We regularly advise maintenance teams at steel plants, factories, and fleet operators across Chandigarh, Mohali, Panchkula, and across Punjab and Haryana.
- Serving the Region: we supply to industries across Chandigarh, Mohali, Panchkula, Ludhiana, Ambala, Ropar, Fatehgarh Sahib, Bathinda, and surrounding areas.
Frequently Asked Questions About HP Lithon Grease
Q1. What is the difference between Lithon 2 and Lithon EP2?
Lithon 2 is a standard multipurpose lithium grease suitable for normal load, moderate temperature applications. Lithon EP2 contains extreme pressure (EP) additives — sulfur-phosphorus compounds that form a protective layer on metal surfaces under high loads and shock conditions. Lithon EP2 is the better choice wherever machinery is subjected to heavy or shock loading, which includes most steel plant and heavy industrial applications.
Q2. Can I use HP Lithon grease in my car or SUV?
Yes, for specific applications. HP Lithon 2 or EP2 is suitable for wheel bearing lubrication on passenger cars and SUVs. However, for CV joint boots (which typically use molybdenum-based grease) or steering racks (which may use polyurea or special rack grease), always check your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation. Do not assume one grease fits all automotive applications.
Q3. What temperature can HP Lithon grease handle?
Standard Lithon 2 and EP2 grades handle temperatures up to approximately 130-140 degrees C continuous operating temperature. The dropping point (the temperature at which the grease loses its structure) is typically above 170 degrees C for standard grades. For higher temperatures, Lithon M2 Plus extends performance to 200 degrees C and above, making it the right choice for blast furnace area bearings and high-heat industrial zones.
Q4. How often should I re-grease with HP Lithon EP2?
For a standard industrial motor or pump bearing operating at moderate temperature (below 70 degrees C) and normal speed, re-grease every 3-6 months. For bearings in high-temperature, high-speed, heavily loaded, or contaminated environments, shorten the interval to monthly or even weekly in extreme cases. The best approach is to use oil analysis or bearing temperature monitoring to determine the optimal interval for your specific setup.
Q5. Is HP Lithon EP2 suitable for automatic lubrication systems?
Standard Lithon EP2 (NLGI 2) can be used in some centralized systems but may have pumpability limitations at low temperatures or in systems with long lines. For centralized auto-lube systems, Lithon EP2 (S) (which has been formulated specifically for pumpability) or Lithon EP1 (NLGI 1, softer grade) are the recommended choices. Always confirm with your auto-lube system manufacturer’s recommendation for minimum pumpability requirements.
Q6. Where can I buy HP Lithon grease in Chandigarh?
Lube Tradeways is the authorized HPCL CFA and Distributor in Chandigarh. We stock the complete HP Lithon grease range in all pack sizes — 500g, 1kg, 5kg, 18kg, and 50kg — and supply to factories, steel plants, fleet operators, and workshops across Chandigarh, Mohali, Panchkula, and Punjab & Haryana. Call us at +91 84277 70838, email cfa@lubetradeways.com, or visit our website at www.lubetradeways.com.
Final Thoughts: Getting HP Lithon Grease Right
HP Lithon Grease is not just a commodity product you pick off a shelf. It is a precision lubricant that, when matched correctly to the application, can significantly extend equipment life, reduce unplanned downtime, and cut your overall maintenance costs.
The key takeaway is simple: know your application before you order. Are you lubricating a blast furnace bearing? Go with Lithon M2 Plus. Running a centralised auto-lube system in your steel plant? Use Lithon EP2 (S) or EP1. General industrial bearings and motors? Lithon EP2 is your reliable everyday workhorse.
And when you are ready to order, make sure you are buying a genuine HP Lubricants product from an authorised source. Counterfeit and substandard greases are unfortunately common in the Indian market, and the consequences of a bearing failure caused by poor-quality grease are always more expensive than saving a few rupees per kilogram.
| Order HP Lithon Grease Today: Call Lube Tradeways at +91 84277 70838 or email cfa@lubetradeways.com for genuine HP Lithon grease, competitive pricing, and expert guidance on the right grade for your application. |
| Buy HP Lithon Grease in Chandigarh
Lube Tradeways – Authorized HPCL CFA & Distributor Plot No. 106, Industrial Area, Phase 1, Chandigarh +91 84277 70838 | www.lubetradeways.com cfa@lubetradeways.com | hpcl@lubetradeways.com |
