Production of additives in the United States saw a sharp decline in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Production experienced a strong rebound the following year, though, with a 4%, 5% and 6.8% increase for lubricant additives, biocides and antioxidants, respectively.
However, the additive market experienced an uncomfortable tightness again in 2022 as a result of flooding in the Midwest region of the U.S. that affected Afton Chemical’s plant in Sauget, Illinois. The flooding led to a subsequent month-long declaration of force majeure.
U.S. Lubricant Additive Market Volume
There are four major suppliers of lubricant additives in the world. Referred to by industry players as the Big Four, Infineum, Lubrizol, Afton Chemical and Chevron Oronite produce the majority of the industry’s additive packages.
The map below locates the Big Four’s additive plants around the globe.
Major Sources of Additives
| Company/Label | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| Lubrizol | ||
| L1 | Zhuhai, China | |
| L2 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | |
| L3 | Turbhe, Navi Mumbai, India | |
| L4 | Hamburg, Germany | |
| L5 | Painesville, Ohio | |
| L6 | Deer Park, Texas | |
| L7 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| L8 | Rouen, France | |
| L9 | Seoul, South Korea | |
| Afton Chemical | ||
| A1 | Jurong Island, Singapore | |
| A2 | Sauget, Illinois | |
| A3 | Houston, Texas | |
| A4 | Port Arthur, Texas | |
| A5 | San Juan del Rio, Mexico | |
| A6 | Feluy, Belgium | |
| A7 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | |
| A8 | Suzhou, China | |
| Infineum | ||
| I1 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | |
| I2 | Linden, New Jersey | |
| I3 | Houston, Texas | |
| I4 | Berre, France | |
| I5 | Cologne, Germany | |
| I6 | Vado Ligure, Italy | |
| I7 | Jurong Island, Singapore | |
| I8 | Zhangjiagang, China | |
| Chevron Oronite | ||
| C1 | Belle Chasse, Louisiana | |
| C2 | Maua, Brazil | |
| C3 | Gonfreville, France | |
| C4 | Omaezaki, Japan | |
| C5 | Jurong Island, Singapore | |
| C6 | Ningbo, China | |