Lubrizol has deep roots in India and has been a contributor to the Indian economy for more than 59 years. In 1966, we started our work in India as part of a joint venture with the Indian government in the Additives, transportation and industrial space.
Lubrizol operates ISO-certified additive manufacturing facilities in Turbhe and Taloja in Navi Mumbai, serving India and the Middle East. The Turbhe Plant manufactures fuel and lubricant additives and specialty performance chemicals for various industry applications.
A US$200 million investment is underway for a 120-acre state-of-the-art facility in Aurangabad, Lubrizol’s largest facility in the country, aligned with its “local for local” strategy. For nearly a century, Lubrizol has created extraordinary value at the intersection of life and science, delivering sustainable solutions that advance mobility, improve wellbeing, and enhance modern life.
The company has recently introduced its new brand expression, including a fresh logo, compelling new tagline and a brand story that represents the best of the organization’s storied legacy and its optimism for its next 100 years.
Can you provide an overview of Lubrizol’s current operations in India, with a focus on the Additives business and blending facilities? How do these operations support your broader strategic goals for the Indian market?
Our manufacturing plant is in Turbhe, Navi Mumbai, India. We are ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 45001:2017 accredited company. Additionally, Lubrizol has additives manufacturing plants located in Taloja, providing customers in India and parts of Middle East a reliable supply chain and operations. Lubrizol has a performance oriented, knowledge based open culture. Our team of professionals strive to maintain company leadership both in the national and international marketplace. With increasing demand, our ambition is to grow and cater to customer needs of the future, for which we have invested to acquire a US$200 million land parcel to set up a plant in Aurangabad in line with the local for local initiative.
To accelerate India-based innovation, we recently announced that we will open a state-of-the-art Technology and Innovation Center in Maharashtra. The first of its kind for the company globally, the facility will be designed to progress breakthrough innovations, expand collaboration, and enhance speed to market for Lubrizol and the many customers and industries it serves both in the region and globally.
Could you provide an update on the current status of the Aurangabad MoU? When do you anticipate breaking ground on the new facility, and what are the key milestones in the first phase of construction?
Lubrizol has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Maharashtra government to acquire a 120-acre plot in Aurangabad. This facility represents Lubrizol’s largest investment in India, with an initial phase projected at US$200 million. The new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility will enhance local capacity for the transportation and industrial fluids market across the region, with potential future support for other applications. The project will progress in phases over the next several years, with operations at the facility expected to start in alignment with Lubrizol’s 100th anniversary in 2028.
How is Lubrizol planning to leverage its new manufacturing facility in Aurangabad to support India’s growing transportation and industrial sectors, and what role does technology play in this expansion?
India’s transportation and industrial markets are indeed experiencing significant growth, presenting exciting opportunities.
Local manufacturing expansion: Lubrizol’s new manufacturing facility in Aurangabad, set to be the company’s largest in India, will significantly enhance local production capacity. This expansion supports the growing demand for additives in transportation and industrial fluids.
Innovation and Customization: The facility will enable more localized innovation, allowing Lubrizol to tailor its products to meet specific regional needs. This will enable more efficient and effective solutions for the Indian market.
Export Potential: The new site will not only cater to domestic demand but also create export opportunities for neighboring countries, strengthening our supply chain and broadening our global footprint.
Technological Advancements: The integration of AI, IoT, and automation in transportation and manufacturing can enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve safety. For instance, smart logistics and autonomous vehicles can revolutionize supply chain management.
What are the main product offerings from Lubrizol in the additives and transportation fluids segments?
Lubrizol is a pioneering global supplier of chemical additive technologies, including additives for engine oils, driveline and other transportation-related fluids, and industrial lubricants, as well as additives for gasoline (petrol) and diesel fuel. We partner with customers to address a wide variety of vehicle needs, including improving energy efficiency, reducing emissions, and enhancing engine reliability and durability for internal combustion engines and electric/hybrid vehicles.
We are closely engaged with key OEMs, Tier 1s and oil marketers to drive market upgrade and build up our position in the New Energy Vehicle (NEV) space, confirming our commitment to sustainability.
We touch all modern transportation types, by developing the chemistry and driving the standards as a critical contributor to all go-forward platforms.
Which markets or sectors does Lubrizol currently dominate, and what new areas are you targeting for expansion?
The evolution of the market is increasingly influenced by the trends in electrification and alternative fuels. At Lubrizol, our commitment to future mobility is reflected through our integrated solutions designed to meet these emerging needs. Our innovative EVOGEN additives, specialized fluids, and advanced grease formulations are engineered to enhance the efficiency and durability of modern vehicles. These solutions not only support the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) but also improve the performance of vehicles utilizing alternative fuel sources. By prioritizing sustainability and advanced technology, Lubrizol is at the forefront of driving progress in the automotive industry.
Can you walk us through Lubrizol’s recently launched brand expression and how it builds on the company’s nearly century-old legacy and strong industry reputation?
For nearly a century, Lubrizol has created extraordinary value at the intersection of life and science, delivering sustainable solutions that advance mobility, improve well-being and enhance modern life. Today the company celebrates that impact with the launch of a new brand expression, including a fresh logo, compelling new tagline, and a brand story that represents the best of the organization’s storied legacy and its optimism for its next 100 years. Lubrizol’s innovation prowess began in a tiny Cleveland based garage when Lubrizol invented its first automotive solutions to lubricate leaf springs on early automobiles.
Ninety-seven years and thousands of patents later, our company continues to innovate and offer breakthrough solutions that are driving impact across industries — from delivering clean drinking water to enabling efficient transportation to progressing modern infrastructure, supporting critical medicines and enhancing countless products used by consumers every day.
Today, the company serves customers in more than 100 countries from more than 50 Lubrizol sites focused on advancing both local-for-local and global needs.