# Lubricant additives: Production

How four firms and 31 plants supply the world

Source page: https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/lubricant_additives/production/

What this tab covers Who makes it and how much: world capacity and output, utilisation, the top producing countries and companies globally and in India, concentration, new capacity coming, and each region's position.

| Measure | Figure | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| **World capacity** | not published |  |  |
| **World output** | a little over 4 Mt (2022) |  | Kline via Lube Report (2023) |
| **Capacity utilisation** | not published | NewMarket shipments fell 4.9% in 2025, partly by choice to cut low-margin business. | NewMarket FY2025 results |
| **Concentration** | big four about 80% of all additives; 31 big-four plants worldwide | Kline's 2022 ranking: Lubrizol, Infineum, Chevron Oronite, Afton, then Lanxess and BASF; over 20 smaller component suppliers. Plant count: Lubrizol 9, Afton 8, Infineum 8, Oronite 6. | Lubes'n'Greases (May 2023); Kline via Lube Report (2023); Lubes'n'Greases Factbook |
| **New capacity** | Richful 400+ kt plant planned in China (2023) | No other named projects retrieved. NewMarket's Specialty Materials (AMPAC) capacity expansion is outside lubricants. | Lubes'n'Greases (May 2023) |

#### Top producing countries

- **Asia-Pacific (led by China)**: largest and fastest-growing region
- **North America**: second; home of Lubrizol, Afton, Oronite
- **Europe**: third; Infineum (UK), Lanxess, BASF
- **Africa and Middle East**: fourth
- **South America**: fifth
 Kline via Lube Report (2023)

#### Largest producers: global

| Company | Country | Volume | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Lubrizol (Berkshire Hathaway)** Ranked first by Kline (2022). | US | 6.2 $ billion total revenue (includes non-additive businesses) | 2025 | [Lubes'n'Greases Factbook](https://www.lubesngreases.com/?p=207611) |
| **Infineum (ExxonMobil and Shell joint venture)** Ranked second; no public financials. | UK | not published | n/a | [Kline via Lube Report (2023)](https://www.lubesngreases.com/?p=200606) |
| **Chevron Oronite** Ranked third; not reported separately by Chevron. | US | not published | n/a | [Kline via Lube Report (2023)](https://www.lubesngreases.com/?p=200606) |
| **Afton Chemical (NewMarket)** Operating profit $520.1 million; 61% of sales outside the US (10-K). | US | 2,534 $ million petroleum additives sales (lubricant additives $2.16 billion) | 2025 | [NewMarket FY2025 results; Lubes'n'Greases Factbook](https://www.newmarket.com/news/2026/02/newmarket-corporation-reports-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-2025-results//) |
| **Xinxiang Richful Lube Additive** Planned a 400+ kt plant in China (Lubes'n'Greases, 2023). | China | 3.51 CNY billion revenue | 2025 | [Lubes'n'Greases Factbook](https://www.lubesngreases.com/?p=207611) |
| **Lanxess and BASF** Not reported separately. | Germany | not published | n/a | [Lubes'n'Greases (May 2023)](https://www.lubesngreases.com/magazine/29_6/change-abounds-for-additives) |

#### Largest producers: India

| Company | Country | Volume | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Lubrizol India** Historically a joint venture with Indian Oil; current ownership and capacity not verified. | India | not published | n/a |  |
| **Afton Chemical India** Not verified. | India | not published | n/a |  |
| **Indian Additives Ltd** Not verified in sources reviewed. | India | not published | n/a |  |
| **Infineum India** Not verified. | India | not published | n/a |  |

India is one of the world's largest lubricant markets, served by Indian Oil (Servo), Castrol India, HPCL, BPCL, Gulf and others, which buy packages from the big four. Some blending and component manufacture is local; much of the package value is imported.

#### Position by region

| Region | Position |
|---|---|
| **US** | Home of three of the four majors. |
| **EU** | Infineum, Lanxess, BASF; ACEA low-SAPS specs. |
| **India** | Big, growing market; dependent on big-four packages. |
| **China** | Largest regional market; local suppliers (Richful) growing. |
| **Japan** | OEM specs (JASO) for low-viscosity and motorcycle oils. |
| **Middle East** | Base oil and lubricant blending hub. |

## Other sections

- [Summary](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/lubricant_additives/index.md)
- [Overview](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/lubricant_additives/overview/index.md)
- [Correlation](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/lubricant_additives/correlation/index.md)
- [Production route](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/lubricant_additives/routes/index.md)
- [Feedstocks](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/lubricant_additives/feedstocks/index.md)
- [Cycles](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/lubricant_additives/cycles/index.md)
- [Trading](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/lubricant_additives/trading/index.md)
- [Movement](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/lubricant_additives/movement/index.md)
- [Regulation](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/lubricant_additives/regulation/index.md)
- [Characteristics](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/lubricant_additives/characteristics/index.md)
- [Emissions](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/lubricant_additives/emissions/index.md)
- [Relationships](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/lubricant_additives/links/index.md)