Global Biolubricants Market - 2024-2031

Overview

Global Biolubricants Market reached US$ 2.4 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach US$ 3.6 billion by 2031, growing with a CAGR of 5.2% during the forecast period 2024-2031.

Increasing demand for lubricants with exceptional product properties such as consistent viscosity, elevated flash points, biodegradability and reduced emission levels is fueling positive expansion in several industrial sectors due to strict emission standards and regulatory frameworks. Enhanced research and development efforts by major stakeholders, together with technical advancements, are anticipated to create new opportunities for lubricant applications.

Moreover, the industry is sustained by the growing availability of high-performance, economically competitive green base oils, influenced by government laws that promote the need for such goods. Furthermore, the primary catalysts driving the need for lubricants are increasing environmental concerns and strict government laws, particularly in Europe and North America, regarding the use of synthetic lubricants.

The regenerated automotive sector in US and Canada, together with heightened regulation measures from US government mandating a minimum renewable content for diverse products, is anticipated to propel the use of bio-based lubricants. US Air Force is promoting plant-based biodegradable products as a strategic and essential measure for national security, serving as an additional impetus for the market. North America is expected to gain from a surplus of soybean and rapeseed feedstock due to elevated biodiesel production in the area.

Dynamics

Emerging Potential of Plant and Animal-Based Oils

Given their structural resemblance to the long-chained hydrocarbons present in mineral oils, plant-based oils have shown significant promise as a replacement for traditional mineral oils. Consequently, these oils are being used more and more in the creation of biolubricants due to their beneficial qualities such as renewability, non-toxicity, economic viability and environmental efficiency. Some often utilized crops include soybean, rapeseed and canola.

The expansion of the biolubricant formulation sector is expected to be enhanced by intensifying research and development activities focused on animal oils and fats. These oils and fats have significant economic potential in industries that now predominantly rely on petrochemical lubricants, such as healthcare.

High Demand due to Environmental Benefits

Bio-based lubrication products provide a more environmentally friendly option to conventional lubricating oils, which contribute to environmental pollution by giving rise to hazardous emissions. Due to its distinctive 'environmental benignity,' the sector is gaining significant support from environmental groups.

Owing to the increasing consumer consciousness about the environment and the diminishing crude oil reserves in developed regions, together with the widely accepted belief that bio-lubricants are sustainable and derived from biodegradable feedstocks, market operators anticipate a substantial rise in demand. Hence, the rising customer demand for environmentally friendly lubricants is expected to facilitate the expansion of the market.

High Cost and Low Lubricating Properties

Organic vegetable oil-based lubricants are mostly biodegradable and hence have the potential to serve as a viable substitute for traditional lubricants. Nevertheless, their direct application as base oil is limited by their inadequate oxidative characteristics, thermal and hydrolytic stability, subpar low-temperature capabilities and a restricted range of viscosities that can be effectively controlled.

By making appropriate chemical modifications, incorporating antioxidants into formulations and combining with mineral oils, these disadvantages can be resolved. However, they lead to rising expenses, pollution and a decrease in biodegradability. Hence, the task of developing an economically viable bio-based lubricant that possesses both biodegradability and exceptional lubricating characteristics is quite demanding.

The expense associated with these bio-lubricants poses a substantial obstacle. Compared to a traditional lubricant, a bio-based lubricant commands a price that is typically 30-40% more expensive. The majority of bio-based products are priced to rival mineral oil products that are of moderate to high performance. Nevertheless, in certain applications where biodegradability, lubricity, viscosity and fire protection are of utmost importance, it is quite reasonable to justify the increased cost of these products.

Segment Analysis

The global biolubricants market is segmented based on product, end-user and region.

Based on Application, Automotive and Transportation dominated the market

A significant share of the bio-lubricants market is attributed to the automotive and transportation industry. The transportation sector prioritizes the improvement of lubricant characteristics, including performance, durability, energy optimization and environmental sustainability. Bio-greases are efficacious in a wide range of applications, encompassing construction vehicles, forestry machinery, rail flanges, rail curves and nautical machinery.

Bio-based metal cutting fluids and coolants are widely used in several sectors for grinding, gear cutting and general machining services. These applications are expected to stimulate market expansion. By their low toxicity, high viscosity index, powerful lubricating qualities, extended machine service life, high combustion temperature and other attributes, bio-based lubricants are anticipated to eventually replace traditional lubricants in the automotive sector.

Geographical Penetration

North America is Estimated to Account for the Largest Share

Projected factors contributing to the growth of bio-based lubricant use include a stimulated automotive sector in US and Canada, as well as growing regulatory oversight by US government that mandates a minimum renewable content for certain goods. Plant-derived biodegradable goods are being promoted by US Air Force as a strategic and basic measure to enhance national security, so contributing to the growth of the market.

In addition, North America is expected to gain advantages from a surplus of soybean and rapeseed feedstock due to the significant biodiesel manufacturing in the region. Besides being a guiding force for the market, US Air Force also promotes plant-derived biodegradable products as part of its strategic and fundamental approach to national defense. The increasing allocation of government funds towards bio-lubricants utilized in the marine and automotive sectors is expected to generate highly profitable prospects for the market.

Competitive Landscape

The major global players in the market include Axel Christiernsson, Carl Bechem Lubricants India Private Limited, BP p.l.c., Cargill, Chevron Corporation, Cortec Corporation, Environmental Lubricants Manufacturing, Inc., Exxon Mobil Corporation, FUCHS, KCM Petro Chemicals, Novvi, LLC., PANOLIN AG, Shell plc and TotalEnergies.

Russia-Ukraine War Impact Analysis

The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has substantially affected worldwide supply chains, notably impacting the accessibility and pricing of essential raw materials such as crude oil, which serve as crucial components for traditional lubricants. The advent of this disruption has expedited the transition towards biolubricants as industries actively pursue more environmentally friendly and locally produced alternatives.

The growing popularity of plant-based oils, extracted from soybean and rapeseed, can be attributed to their renewable nature and less reliance on unpredictable petroleum prices. Furthermore, the geopolitical conflicts have intensified the attention on energy security and environmental sustainability, therefore stimulating investment in the biolubricant industry.

With the aim of diversifying their supply chains and decreasing dependence on petrochemicals, the war has stimulated greater research and development in biolubricant formulations, particularly those produced from animal fats. This has broadened the possible uses of biolubricants in key sectors like healthcare and transportation.

Product

• Engine Oil
• Transmission and Hydraulic Fluid
• Metalworking Fluid
• General Industrial Oil
• Gear Oil
• Grease
• Process Oil
• Other

End-User

• Power Generation
• Automotive and Other Transportation
• Heavy Equipment
• Food & Beverage
• Metallurgy & Metalworking
• Chemical Manufacturing
• Other

By Region

• North America
  • US
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe
• South America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Rest of South America
• Asia-Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • Australia
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
• Middle East and Africa

Key Developments

• In April 2023, Exxon Mobil announced its intention to invest up to US$ 110 million in the development of a lubricants manufacturing plant in India. The planned facility is expected to begin full operations by the end of 2025. The facility's objective is to achieve a manufacturing capacity of 159 million litres of finished lubricants annually.
• In November 2022, Shell plc's wholly-owned companies in Switzerland, UK, US and Sweden made bilateral agreements to purchase the environmentally friendly lubricants (ECLs) division of the Panolin Group. The present deal introduces a range of biodegradable lubricants.
• In February 2022, BP purchased a 30% ownership interest in Green Biofuels Ltd and will work together to assist in reducing carbon emissions in industry sectors such as construction, freight, off-road and marine. The direct substitution of diesel with renewable hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) fuels derived from green biofuels is feasible.

Why Purchase the Report?

• To visualize the global biolubricants market segmentation based on Product, End-User and region, as well as understand key commercial assets and players.
• Identify commercial opportunities by analyzing trends and co-development.
• Excel data sheet with numerous data points of the biolubricants market-level with all segments.
• PDF report consists of a comprehensive analysis after exhaustive qualitative interviews and an in-depth study.
• Product mapping available as excel consisting of key products of all the major players.

The global biolubricants market report would provide approximately 63 tables, 54 figures and 204 pages.

Target Audience 2024

• Manufacturers/ Buyers
• Industry Investors/Investment Bankers
• Research Professionals
• Emerging Companies