The global lubricant additives market size was valued at USD 16.9 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.2% from 2023 to 2030. The industry is characterized by increasing additive usage in base oil blending for longer service life and performance. These additives improve the viscosity of the oil, act as antioxidants and corrosion inhibitors in combustion engines, and reduce oil decomposition. With an increase in regulatory pressure on improving the fuel efficiency of vehicles and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, there has been a tremendous development in lubricating oil formulations. Blenders have significantly invested in R&D for developing superior products that adhere to environmental regulations as well as consumer expectations.
Since additives play a significant role in base oil blending and subsequent formulations as they are critical materials in improving the specification and performance of oils. The trend as stated above has had an enormous impact on the industry’s development over the past and is expected to continue driving the global lubricant additives market.
The selection of additives is largely dependent on the lubricant’s end-use, such as in automotive engines, hydraulic systems, gears, and bearings, their usage varies accordingly. Consumer requirement for application-specific lubricating oil is expected to influence consumption patterns in the industry across regions.
One of the major drivers for the global industry is increasing automotive sales, particularly passenger cars with high performance and long service intervals. Developing aftermarkets for automobiles in emerging economies and the subsequent establishment of domestic blenders are expected to drive growth over the forecast period.
The global industry is segmented based on product as dispersants, viscosity index improvers, detergents, anti-wear additives, antioxidants, and friction modifiers among others such as corrosion inhibitors and emulsifiers. Viscosity Index Improvers was the dominating product segment in 2022 accounting for a revenue share of over 22%.
Dispersants and viscosity improvers collectively accounted for over 40% of the global volume in 2022. Dispersants are widely used to prevent sludge or varnish or other deposit formation on surfaces. About three-quarters of their usage is in diesel and gasoline engine oils, where their usage is subjected to engine protection.
Viscosity index improvers are polymeric in nature and are added to lubricating oils to reduce the degree of viscosity change at low and high temperatures. These additives are one of the prime ingredients in engine oil formulations.
Based on application, the global market is segmented as automotive and industrial lubricants. These segments are further divided into heavy-duty & passenger car motor oils, general industrial oils, industrial engine oils, and metalworking fluids.
Passenger car motor oil was the dominant segment accounting for over 30% of the global volume in 2022 and is expected to maintain its dominance over the forecast period. EURO norms, regulating the amount of nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, soot, and hydrocarbons coupled with a shift in consumer preferences towards using operationally efficient and low viscosity fuel is driving the need for passenger car motor oil.
In the industrial lubricants category, general industrial oil accounted for over 35% of the global volume in 2022 and is expected to be the fastest-growing segment in the future. The shift of manufacturing facilities to low-cost Asian markets is no longer attractive owing to the declining cost competitiveness of manufacturers in the region.
Also, these manufacturers are improving and modernizing the manufacturing process to become competitive across the globe. This is expected to influence market dynamics in terms of the volume and quality of lubricants consumed.
Asia Pacific was the dominating region in 2022 accounting for a revenue share of over 34.0%. Growth is expected to be driven by the development of fuel efficiency norms coupled with growing environmental concerns about carbon emissions in China, India, and Japan. Economic growth in the region coupled with industrialization has enabled greater production and possession of vehicles.
Various environmental and legal factors are promoting industrial development in Central & South America and the Middle East & Africa as well. These regions are also home to major countries such as Brazil and South Africa that are growing at a rapid rate due to increasing passenger car and heavy-duty vehicle production domestically.
Recovery of manufacturing sectors in mature economies of North America and Europe such as the U.S., UK, Germany, and Italy will drive consumption over the forecast horizon. Increasing government intervention to achieve fuel economy targets is anticipated to impact further industry dynamics. Stringent regulations that are pushing countries such as U.S., Canada and Mexico to reduce carbon emission have created a huge demand for anti-wear additives in the North America region.
The global market is characterized by the presence of a large number of players. Manufacturers are focused on technological developments, and R&D activities to boost their market footprint. New product launches and mergers are key strategies in the industry. Some of the companies are integrated in the value chain. Some prominent players in the global lubricant additives market include:
BASF SE
LANXESS
Chevron Oronite Company,
Croda International
Evonik Industries
Lubrizol Corp.
Tianhe Chemicals Group,
Hornett Brothers & Co. Ltd.
MidContinental Chemical Co.
Report Attribute |
Details |
Market size value in 2023 |
USD 17.6 billion |
Revenue forecast in 2030 |
USD 23.6 billion |
Growth rate |
CAGR of 4.2% from 2023 to 2030 |
Base year for estimation |
2022 |
Historical data |
2018 - 2021 |
Forecast period |
2023 - 2030 |
Quantitative units |
Revenue in USD million, volume in kilotons and CAGR from 2023 to 2030 |
Report coverage |
Volume forecast, revenue forecast, company market positioning, competitive landscape, growth factors, and trends |
Segments covered |
Product, application, region |
Regional scope |
North America; Europe; Asia Pacific; Central & South America; Middle East & Africa |
Country scope |
U.S.; Canada; Mexico; Germany; U.K.; France; Russia; Italy; China; India; Japan; Brazil; Saudi Arabia |
Key companies profiled |
BASF SE; Afton Chemical Corp.; LANXESS; Chevron Oronite Company; Croda International; Evonik Industries; Infineum International; Lubrizol Corp.; Shamrock Shipping & Trading Ltd.; Tianhe Chemicals Group; Hornett Brothers & Co. Ltd.; IPAC Inc.; and MidContinental Chemical Co. |
Customization scope |
Free report customization (equivalent up to 8 analysts working days) with purchase. Addition or alteration to country, regional, and segment scope. |
Pricing and purchase options |
Avail customized purchase options to meet your exact research needs. Explore purchase option |
This report forecasts revenue and volume growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global lubricant additives market report based on product, application, and region:
Product Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)
Dispersants
Viscosity Index Improvers
Detergents
Anti-wear Additives
Antioxidants
Friction Modifiers
Others
Application Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)
Automotive Lubricants
Heavy Duty Motor Oil
Passenger Car Motor Oil
Others
Industrial Lubricants
General Industrial Oil
Industrial Engine Oil
Metalworking Fluids
Others
Regional Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)
North America
U.S.
Canada
Mexico
Europe
Germany
U.K.
France
Italy
Russia
Asia Pacific
China
India
Japan
Central & South America
Brazil
Middle East & Africa
Saudi Arabia
b. The global lubricant additives market size was estimated at USD 16.9 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 17.6 billion in 2023.
b. The global lubricant additives market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 4.2% from 2023 to 2030 to reach USD 23.6 billion by 2030.
b. Asia Pacific dominated the lubricant additives market with a share of 34.6% in 2022 This is attributable to development fuel efficiency norms coupled with growing environmental concerns about carbon emission in China, India, and Japan.
b. Some key players operating in the lubricant additives market include BASF SE, Chemtura Corp., Chevron Oronite, Croda International, Evonik Industries, Infineum International, Lubrizol Corp, Shamrock and Tianhe Chemicals.
b. Key factors that are driving the market growth include increasing focus on fuel economy and stringent environment norms across the globe.
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