The past five years have presented unprecedented challenges to the global economy – the Covid-19 pandemic, followed by conflicts in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, and fractious economic policies from the West. All set against a backdrop of extreme weather events and ever-tightening emissions reductions. How has the lubricants industry adapted? Where has demand declined and where have new opportunities emerged?
The Lubes’n’Greases Factbook helps answer these questions and more. See how base oil production evolved since the beginning of the millennium and how that impacted finished lubricant sales. Learn how the host of specification development organizations bring new engine oil categories to fruition and how additives have developed over the past century.
An expanded base oil chapter includes trends from major producers in Asia, Europe and the Americas, as well as explainers of base oils, additives, greases and finished lubricants. There are new sections on rerefined base oils, biobased lubes and electric vehicles, as well as historic data charting the evolution of global base stock production capacity.
We packed more pages with more text and graphics with a wider global reach. All of which is invaluable to seasoned professionals as well as support staff who need to quickly learn about the industry. To top all that, the Lubes’n’Greases Factbook is regularly updated year round.
Simon Johns
Editor
Lubricant Basics
How Much Lubricant is in a Barrel of Crude Oil?
Refiners try to make as many high-value products as possible from a 42-gallon barrel of crude oil, such as jet fuel, gasoline and diesel. Very little ends up as lubricant – less than 10% of the barrel is refined through various processes into base oil.
Base Stocks
Global Base Oil Production Capacity and Market Trends
Base oil production is driven and pressured by a host of global factors, such as geopolitics, climate change and technology.
Finished Lubricants
Inside Lubricant Formulations
Lubricants are more than just engine oil. They keep literally everything you can imagine moving.
Lube Tech
EVs have had little impact on lubricant formulations to date. But this is changing.
Performance requirements for ICE and hybrids overlap, but EVs are another story.
Battery cooling requires a dedicated fluid and thermal management system for maximum range.
Examining the performance needs for EV greases.
Policy
Governments are helping EVs become one of the world's fastest-growing automotive sectors.
National low- and zero-emissions vehicle policies and incentives around the Americas.
National low- and zero-emissions vehicle policies and incentives around Europe.
National low- and zero-emissions vehicle policies and incentives around Asia.