In automotive engineering, deep drawing of sheet metal is a key process to create complex shapes for body and structural components. For the production of challenging components, deep drawing lubricants containing mineral oil are used, which pose a potential hazard to humans and the environment. "Green", biodegradable lubricants made from renewable raw materials promise to solve this problem and could also save costs by eliminating washing processes. Comparison of maximum process forces and sheet thinning (Figure) in cross-cup deep drawing tests shows that "green" lubricants can keep pace with conventional deep drawing lubricants in terms of performance. Water-based wax dispersions, for example, achieve the lowest process forces of all lubricants tested. In the next step, optical examinations of component contamination and thermogravimetric analyses will determine which products require component cleaning.