Global Lubricant Viscosity Improvers Market Growth, Share, Size, Trends and Forecast (2025 - 2031)

• In July 2023, Chevron Phillips Chemical announced a capacity expansion of its VII productions to meet the increasing demand for VIIs in the automotive and industrial sectors.

• In April 2023, Lubrizol introduced a new line of viscosity index improvers (VIIs) for automotive lubricants, claiming to offer enhanced performance, including improved oxidation and thermal stability.

The Applications segment focuses on the specific uses of lubricant viscosity improvers across various industries. Key applications include automotive lubricants, industrial lubricants, and marine lubricants. In the automotive sector, viscosity improvers are crucial in enhancing engine oil performance, helping to maintain the proper viscosity in a wide range of temperatures, thus ensuring engine efficiency and longevity. In industrial lubricants, viscosity improvers are used to maintain equipment functionality by ensuring stable viscosity under high-pressure conditions, particularly in machinery such as turbines, compressors, and hydraulic systems. In the marine industry, these improvers play a vital role in optimizing the performance of lubricants used in large engines and vessels, ensuring proper functioning under various temperature conditions.

The End User segment highlights the industries and sectors that extensively use lubricant viscosity improvers. This includes automotive, manufacturing, oil & gas, marine, and energy industries. The automotive sector is the largest end user, driven by the demand for high-performance engine oils that offer better fuel efficiency and protection against wear and tear. The manufacturing industry requires lubricants for a wide range of machinery, where viscosity improvers help improve operational efficiency and reduce friction. The oil & gas industry benefits from these improvers in drilling operations, where lubricants need to withstand extreme conditions and maintain fluid properties. The marine and energy sectors also rely on viscosity improvers for their heavy-duty engines and turbines, requiring high levels of lubrication stability.

The Geography segment divides the market by region, focusing on key markets such as North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. The Asia-Pacific region is anticipated to see the fastest growth in the lubricant viscosity improvers market, driven by the increasing demand for automotive lubricants in emerging economies such as China and India. North America and Europe are mature markets, with stringent environmental regulations pushing demand for high-quality, fuel-efficient lubricants. The Middle East & Africa and Latin America are also growing markets due to industrial expansion and increasing demand for lubricants in sectors like oil and gas, manufacturing, and automotive.

Global Lubricant Viscosity Improvers Segment Analysis

In this report, the Global Lubricant Viscosity Improvers Market has been segmented by Applications, End User and Geography.

Global Lubricant Viscosity Improvers Market, Segmentation by Applications

The Global Lubricant Viscosity Improvers Market has been segmented by Applications into Vehicle Lubricants, Industrial Lubricants, and Transmission Fluids.

The global lubricant viscosity improvers market is segmented by applications into vehicle lubricants, industrial lubricants, and transmission fluids. Vehicle lubricants constitute the largest segment, driven by the burgeoning automotive industry. These lubricants are crucial for ensuring optimal engine performance, reducing wear and tear, and enhancing fuel efficiency. Viscosity improvers are key additives in vehicle lubricants, helping them maintain their optimal viscosity across a wide range of temperatures. The increasing production and sales of vehicles, particularly in emerging markets, along with stringent emission regulations, are significantly boosting the demand for high-performance vehicle lubricants and, consequently, viscosity improvers.

Industrial lubricants form another significant segment in the lubricant viscosity improvers market. These lubricants are used in a variety of industrial applications, including machinery, hydraulics, compressors, and other equipment that operate under extreme conditions. The role of viscosity improvers in industrial lubricants is to ensure consistent performance, minimize friction, and protect machinery from wear and tear. The rapid industrialization and expansion of manufacturing activities globally are driving the demand for advanced industrial lubricants. Additionally, the growing focus on reducing operational downtime and maintenance costs is encouraging industries to adopt high-quality lubricants with effective viscosity improvers.

Transmission fluids represent a crucial segment within the lubricant viscosity improvers market. These fluids are essential for the smooth operation of vehicle transmission systems, ensuring efficient power transfer and protecting components from friction and heat. Viscosity improvers in transmission fluids help maintain their performance characteristics under varying temperatures and loads. With the increasing complexity of modern transmission systems and the rising adoption of automatic transmissions in vehicles, the demand for advanced transmission fluids is growing. This, in turn, is fueling the need for effective viscosity improvers that can enhance the performance and durability of transmission fluids, supporting the overall growth of the market.

Global Lubricant Viscosity Improvers Market, Segmentation by End User

The Global Lubricant Viscosity Improvers Market has been segmented by End User into Passenger car motor oil (PCMO), Heavy duty motor oil (HDMO), Hydraulic fluids and Gear oils.

The global lubricant viscosity improvers market is segmented by end user into passenger car motor oil (PCMO), heavy-duty motor oil (HDMO), hydraulic fluids, and gear oils. The passenger car motor oil (PCMO) segment is a major contributor to the market due to the high demand for automotive lubricants. PCMO is formulated to meet the specific requirements of modern passenger vehicles, including improving engine efficiency, reducing emissions, and extending engine life. Viscosity improvers play a crucial role in ensuring that these oils maintain optimal performance under varying temperature conditions, thus supporting the growing demand for advanced PCMO in the automotive sector.

Heavy-duty motor oil (HDMO) is another significant segment in the market, primarily driven by the needs of commercial vehicles and heavy-duty machinery. HDMO is used in engines of trucks, buses, and construction equipment that operate under extreme conditions and heavy loads. Viscosity improvers are essential in HDMO to ensure that the lubricant remains effective in high-stress environments, reducing wear and tear and enhancing engine longevity. The expansion of logistics, transportation, and construction industries globally is contributing to the increased demand for HDMO, thereby driving the need for high-performance viscosity improvers.

Hydraulic fluids and gear oils are also key segments in the lubricant viscosity improvers market. Hydraulic fluids are used in various industrial and mobile equipment to transmit power and ensure smooth operation. Viscosity improvers in hydraulic fluids help maintain consistent performance under varying temperatures and pressures. Similarly, gear oils are essential for lubricating gears and other moving parts in machinery and vehicles. The role of viscosity improvers in gear oils is to ensure effective lubrication and protection against wear. The growing industrial activities and advancements in machinery technology are supporting the demand for high-quality hydraulic fluids and gear oils, further driving the need for effective viscosity improvers.

Global Lubricant Viscosity Improvers Market, Segmentation by Geography

In this report, the Global Lubricant Viscosity Improvers Market has been segmented by Geography into five regions; North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa and Latin America.

Global Lubricant Viscosity Improvers Market Share (%), by Geographical Region, 2024

As of the most recent data, the global lubricant viscosity improvers market exhibits distinct regional distribution patterns. Asia-Pacific holds the largest share of the market, accounting for a substantial percentage of the global total. This dominance is primarily driven by the region's rapid industrialization, booming automotive sector, and significant manufacturing activities. Countries like China, India, and Japan are major contributors to the demand for high-performance lubricants, including those with advanced viscosity improvers, due to their extensive automotive and industrial sectors.

North America follows as a significant market for lubricant viscosity improvers, driven by the presence of a mature automotive industry and stringent regulatory standards. The United States and Canada are key markets in this region, where the demand for advanced lubricants is fueled by technological innovations in vehicle engines and industrial equipment. The focus on environmental regulations and fuel efficiency is promoting the use of high-quality lubricants with effective viscosity improvers, thereby maintaining a strong market presence in North America.

Europe also holds a notable share of the global lubricant viscosity improvers market. The region's demand is supported by its well-established automotive industry and industrial sector, along with rigorous environmental regulations that drive the need for advanced lubricants. Key markets within Europe, including Germany, the United Kingdom, and France, contribute significantly to the regional market share. The focus on sustainability and technological advancements in lubricants continues to drive the growth of viscosity improvers in this region, reflecting Europe's substantial role in the global market.

This report provides an in depth analysis of various factors that impact the dynamics of Global Lubricant Viscosity Improvers Market. These factors include; Market Drivers, Restraints and Opportunities Analysis.

Drivers, Restraints and Opportunity Analysis

Drivers

• Increasing Vehicle Production and Sales
• Growing Demand for High-Performance Lubricants
• Advancements in Automotive Technology

• Rising Industrialization and Manufacturing Activities - Rising industrialization and manufacturing activities are pivotal drivers for the growth of the global lubricant viscosity improvers market. As countries around the world continue to industrialize, the demand for high-performance lubricants in machinery and equipment has surged. Industrial machinery often operates under severe conditions, such as high temperatures, heavy loads, and continuous operation, necessitating the use of lubricants that can maintain their viscosity and lubricating properties. Viscosity improvers play a crucial role in enhancing the performance of these lubricants, ensuring that machinery runs smoothly, efficiently, and with reduced wear and tear.

  The rapid expansion of manufacturing activities, particularly in emerging economies like China, India, and Southeast Asian countries, has significantly contributed to the increased demand for lubricant viscosity improvers. These regions are witnessing substantial investments in infrastructure development, automotive production, and various manufacturing sectors. As a result, there is a growing need for advanced lubricants that can withstand extreme conditions and provide reliable performance. Viscosity improvers are essential additives in these lubricants, enabling them to perform effectively across a wide range of temperatures and operating conditions, thereby supporting the growth of industrial and manufacturing sectors.

  The global shift towards automation and advanced manufacturing technologies has further amplified the need for high-quality lubricants. Automated and high-precision machinery requires lubricants with superior properties to minimize friction and ensure optimal performance. Viscosity improvers help achieve these requirements by enhancing the thermal stability and shear stability of lubricants. As industries continue to adopt innovative manufacturing practices and technologies, the demand for advanced lubricants and, consequently, viscosity improvers is expected to rise, driving the growth of the global lubricant viscosity improvers market.

Restraints

• Fluctuating Raw Material Prices
• Complex Regulatory Compliance
• High Production Costs of Advanced Additives

• Competition from Alternative Technologies - Competition from alternative technologies poses a significant challenge to the growth of the global lubricant viscosity improvers market. One such alternative is the development of synthetic lubricants, which inherently possess superior viscosity properties compared to conventional mineral-based lubricants. Synthetic lubricants are designed to provide excellent performance across a wide range of temperatures without the need for additional viscosity improvers. As a result, the increasing adoption of synthetic lubricants in various industries, particularly in high-performance and demanding applications, is reducing the reliance on viscosity improvers, thereby impacting the market growth.

  Another emerging alternative is the use of advanced base oils with high viscosity indices. These base oils, derived from hydrocracking and other advanced refining processes, exhibit better viscosity characteristics and stability. Manufacturers are increasingly incorporating these high-quality base oils in their lubricant formulations, reducing the need for viscosity improvers. The availability and cost-effectiveness of these advanced base oils make them an attractive option for lubricant manufacturers looking to enhance product performance while maintaining cost efficiency.

  The growing focus on environmental sustainability and the development of eco-friendly lubricants are driving the exploration of alternative technologies. Bio-based lubricants, derived from renewable resources, are gaining traction due to their biodegradability and lower environmental impact. These lubricants often have naturally better viscosity properties, which can reduce or eliminate the need for traditional viscosity improvers. As industries and consumers become more environmentally conscious, the demand for bio-based and sustainable lubricant solutions is likely to increase, further intensifying the competition for conventional viscosity improvers.

Opportunities

• Development of Bio-based Viscosity Improvers
• Expansion in Emerging Economies
• Innovations in Lubricant Formulation Technologies

• Growing Aftermarket Sales of Automotive Lubricants - The growing aftermarket sales of automotive lubricants are significantly boosting the demand for lubricant viscosity improvers. As the global vehicle fleet ages, the need for regular maintenance and replacement of engine oils and other lubricants increases. Aftermarket automotive lubricants are essential for maintaining vehicle performance, extending engine life, and ensuring fuel efficiency. Viscosity improvers play a crucial role in enhancing the properties of these lubricants, enabling them to perform effectively across a range of temperatures and driving conditions. This growing demand in the aftermarket segment is driving the expansion of the lubricant viscosity improvers market.

  The rise in vehicle ownership, particularly in emerging markets, is contributing to the surge in aftermarket sales. With more vehicles on the road, there is an increased need for maintenance services and replacement lubricants. Consumers in these regions are becoming more aware of the importance of using high-quality lubricants to ensure the longevity and efficiency of their vehicles. As a result, the demand for premium aftermarket lubricants that incorporate advanced additives, such as viscosity improvers, is on the rise. This trend is further supported by the expansion of automotive service centers and retail channels, making it easier for consumers to access and purchase these products.

  advancements in automotive technology and the introduction of new vehicle models are influencing the aftermarket lubricant market. Modern vehicles require lubricants with specific performance characteristics to meet stringent emission standards and ensure optimal engine function. Viscosity improvers are essential in formulating these advanced lubricants, which can adapt to the demanding requirements of new engine technologies. As consumers seek out high-performance aftermarket products to maintain their vehicles, the demand for lubricant viscosity improvers is expected to grow, reinforcing the market's positive outlook.

Key players in Global Lubricant Viscosity Improvers Market include :

• Afton
• Chevron Oronite
• Evonik
• Infineum
• Lubrizol

In this report, the profile of each market player provides following information:

• Company Overview and Product Portfolio
• Key Developments
• Financial Overview
• Strategies
• Company SWOT Analysis