Industrial Lubricants Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Base Oil (Mineral Oil, Synthetic Oil, and Bio-based Oil), By Product Type (Hydraulic Fluid, Metal Working Fluid, Gear Oil, Grease, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2021-2028

The global industrial lubricants market size was USD 66.01 billion in 2020. The market is projected to grow from USD 67.55 billion in 2021 to USD 85.00 billion in 2028 at a CAGR of 3.3% in the 2021-2028 period. The global impact of COVID-19 has been unprecedented and staggering, with industrial lubricants witnessing a negative impact on demand across all regions amid the pandemic. Based on our analysis, the global market exhibited a decline of 2.8% in 2020 as compared to the average year-on-year growth during 2017-2019. The sudden rise in CAGR is attributable to this market’s demand and growth, returning to pre-pandemic levels once the pandemic is over.

Lubricants that are used for industrial applications are considered industrial lubricants. The product is used to increase efficiency and boost performance of industrial machinery and equipment. A large variety of industrial fluids are formulated for preventing any damage caused by degradation while prolonging service intervals and increasing the work life of machinery. This performance boost in mechanics enhances productivity and provides high operational reliability. The product poses great use for turbine machines, power generation, metal & mining, and food & beverage applications. Rise in demand for products due to the aforementioned applications is further supporting the adoption of advanced machinery to improve & optimize productivity thereby augmenting the industrial lubricants market growth.

COVID-19 IMPACT

Market Decline is Owed to Severe Impact of COVID-19 on Textile Industry

The coronavirus outbreak has harshly impacted the lubricants market as a result of temporary shutdown of manufacturing facilities. This caused a lowering demand for the product for industrial applications as machineries and equipment were not being used. Moreover, the product is also used in automotive and marine applications as fuel and machine oils to keep the system working. The implementation of quarantine and ban over import and export has resulted in automobiles and marine vessels not being used, thus lowering product demand. Moreover, restriction of goods transportation to and from the country further disrupted the supply chain of raw material and finished goods. However, the pandemic has risen the demand for food & beverages, which is supporting the companies in revenue generation and leading to gradual normalization of the market.

LATEST TRENDS

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Rising Shift Toward Bio-Based Oils is Creating Opportunities

There has been a recent shift toward improving and increasing the use of bio-based lubricants that use biodegradable feedstock-based base oils. Biodegradable raw materials include use of vegetable oils for making bio-based industrial lubricants. Companies are increasingly focusing towards creating an environmentally friendly base oil to reduce dependence on petroleum and other non-renewable raw material sources. This is further supported by the rise in regulations over use of traditional lubricants. Moreover, bio-based lubricants find application in the food processing industry and rise in environmental guidelines in the food & beverage industry is creating opportunities for bio-based products. The recent development in the healthcare industry has also led to the demand for products that have low toxicity and high biodegradability. All the factors together have provided growth opportunities for this market.

DRIVING FACTORS

Growing Adoption of Automation in Manufacturing to Augment Market Growth

The rise in demand for automation in the manufacturing sector is driving the market during the forecast period. In manufacturing, the equipment is used from automated systems for production processes. Automation provides greater efficiency by growing production capacity, predictable maintenance, and reduced costs. These benefits also help the company in creating a wide variety of product types to attract consumers by having low investment and yielding a positive return on investment. The increasing use of automation has led to higher dependence on equipment and machineries which require proper maintenance and lubrication to function. These machineries include centrifuges, compressors, industrial engines, hydraulics, and bearings. This rise in demand for industrial equipment supported by automation is propelling the market growth.

RESTRAINING FACTOR

Volatility of Raw Material Prices to Restrict Market Growth

The factor restraining the market is the volatile price of raw materials used for manufacturing industrial lubricants. Mineral & synthetic based base oils are primarily produced from crude oil, and continuous fluctuation in crude oil prices acts as a restraint for market growth. Moreover, stringent environmental regulations to reduce pollution and global warming are affecting the market. This includes restricting mining activities, control over Co2 emissions from factories and production facilities. These factors restrain the growth of this market.  

SEGMENTATION

By Base Oil Analysis

Mineral Oil Segment is Dominant Share in Market

Based on base oil, the market is segmented into mineral oil, synthetic oil, and bio-based oil. 

Mineral oil segment dominated the market due to easy availability and low manufacturing cost of the product. The rise of investment in the R&D activities in end-use industries such as chemical, power generation, and mining is driving the segment growth. Synthetic oil is expected to have fastest growth during the forecast period which can be attributed to the rising industrial activities that require high metal machinery demand for applications in steam and turbine power plants, compression plants, and wind turbines. The increasing demand for product for the above mentioned application is resulting in the segment growth.

Bio-based oil is derived from vegetable oils such as canola, sunflower, palm, coconut, and soya bean, and are biodegradable in nature. The segment growth can be attributed to the rise in shift towards eco-friendlier products due to governmental restrictions. These base oils are used in hydraulic fluids and engine oils, and increasing demand for these equipment is driving the product consumption.

By Product Type Analysis

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Hydraulic Fluid Segment had Largest Share in Market

Based on application, the market is categorized into hydraulic fluid, metal working fluid, gear oil, grease, and others.

Hydraulic fluid segment accounted for largest industrial lubricants market share owing to the high usage in the variety of finished goods. This has led to the expansion of production capabilities and has caused manufacturers to depend on automated machinery for high production activity. Metal working fluids segments are used for functioning of metal parts in machinery during production operations. These fluids help in extending the tool life while also improving the machine performance. The increasing demand for metal based machinery for manufacturing activities is anticipated to drive the segment growth.

Gear oil is made from two components that are base oil and additives. The additives provide benefitting properties such as improved performance and protection. The product is primarily used in gearboxes where it provides thermal stability, oxidation and sludge formation reduction. Grease is used for keeping machines, vessels, vehicles, and components properly functioning. Moreover, other segments include use of lubricants in various end-use industries that includes marine, manufacturing, automotive, steel, construction, and mining.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

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The market in Asia Pacific stood at USD 27.88 billion in 2020. The region has the largest share in the global market, which can be associated with rising economy and increasing industrialization. China, Japan, and India are specialized in manufacturing a wide variety of products for several end-use industries. Moreover, rise in middle class spending in developing nations of Southeast Asia, where consumers are becoming more affluent and use consumer goods products, is supporting the market growth.

In North America, the product demand can be attributed to rise in renovation activities and commercial sector development. Construction of these structures require high-end construction equipment, thus creating lubricant demand.

Europe has witnessed rapid automobiles production, where the product is used in machineries during manufacturing and assembling automotive parts. The growing automobile demand is driving the consumption of industrial lubricants.

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Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are expected to have significant growth, which can be associated with the rising mining and oilfield drilling activities. Rise in industrial activities supported by automation technology is affecting the market positively in countries that include Brazil and South Africa. Whereas, Iran and Saudi Arabia are among the major countries using industrial lubricants due to high demand from construction, chemical, automotive, and mining industries.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Expansion Strategies by Global Leaders in Market to Strengthen Positions

The key industry players in the market are FUCHS, Repsol, Exxon Mobil, BP plc, Shell, Petrobras, and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited. The key players have adopted growth strategies that include improving global presence by merger & acquisition, new product launch, capacity improvement, and investment to gain competitive advantage in the market. For example, in September 2021, RelaDyne, one of the United States leading providers of lubricants, fuel, diesel exhaust fluid, and industrial reliability services acquired PPC Lubricants, a prominent lubricant distributor in the Mid-Atlantic region.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• FUCHS (Germany)


• Repsol (Spain)


• Exxon Mobil (U.S.)


• BP plc (U.K.)


• Shell (Netherlands)


• Petrobras (Brazil)


• Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (India)


• Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (India)


• Gazprom Neft PJSC (Russia)


• PT Pertamina Lubricants (Indonesia)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• June 2021 – FUCHS strengthened the specialty business through the acquisition of lubricants business of Gleitmo Technik AB. The company integrated it into the subsidiary FUCHS LUBRICANTS SWEDEN AB and acquired 100% of shares in Gleitmo Technik AB, which includes the product portfolio, customer base, workforce, and a lease agreement.


• November 2020 – PT Pertamina (Persero) expanded business into various aspects and regions. The MoU and PT Pertamina Lubricants (PTPL) signed an agreement in Australia. This collaboration is a business strategy by PT Pertamina Lubricants into expanding overseas business portfolio through partnership to penetrate industrial lubricant products in the Australia market.

REPORT COVERAGE

An Infographic Representation of Industrial Lubricants Market

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The report provides a detailed analysis of the market and focuses on crucial aspects such as leading companies, applications, and types. Also, the report offers insights into industrial lubricants market trends and highlights vital industry developments. In addition to the factors mentioned above, the report encompasses various factors that have contributed to the growth of the market in recent years.

Report Scope & Segmentation