US & Shell top the list, but re-refiners have a say in the global lubes market, according to Kline.
While the largest lubricant market remains the US (22% global share its share continues to decline, according to the latest Global Lubricants: Market Analysis and Assessment report from global consultants, Kline. However, the US continues to retain high value markets along with Western Europe. In contrast, the Asia-Pacific region leads in terms of volume.
Aongst the producers, Shell continues its position as market leader, with a 12% total market share, followed by ExxonMobil and BP with 10% and 7% respectively. Companies such as Fuchs and Gazprom are increasing their presence at the expense of the top five.
Overall, sluggish lubricant demand and increasing emissions and fuel consumption regulation continue to affect a lubricants market which is seeing a steady rise in synthetic and semi-synthetic alternatives.
According to Kline, an increasing influence on the market is growth of the re-refining sector with OEMs working hard to ensure re-refined final product specifications are not compromised by a reduction in quality and performance.