Global lube firms keen to tap India

Lubricant giants across the globe are taking a closer look at the Indian market. International companies like PetroChina Lubricant Company, Xado Technology from Ukraine and Canter Lube Oil from the UAE were some of the big players that participated in Lubeasia 2008, India’s only international exhibition dedicated to lubricants, greases, oils and related markets.

The three-day exhibition was held from March 8-10 in New Delhi where more than 50 companies, both domestic and international participated.

The Indian lubricants market is estimated at Rs 10,000 crore, making it the sixth largest in the world. Of the over one million tonnes of lubricants sold in India, more than 60 percent are automotive lubricants.

Other participants included Indian Oil Corporation, Balmer Lawrie, Ganesh Benzoplast Ltd, Eastman, EPPCO (which has a technical tie up with Pride International Lubricants of UAE) and Wax India.

“With the growth in the automobile industry in India in recent times, one would think that the lubricants industry is also on a high. But there is still a long way to go before the industry gets the recognition that it deserves,” said VK Bansal, director, Nexgen Exhibitions, the organisers of the show.

Eastman Group plans expansion

The Eastman Group which sells a range of automotive products is now planning to set up its own plant in Silvasa to cater to growing demand. “We are a strong player in the aftermarket. Earlier we were selling coolants and greases but now we are planning to sell the entire range of oils in the country. Our plant in Silvasa will be operational by April this year,” said Upender Maheshwari of Eastman Auto & Power Ltd.

Eastman displayed its range of Addo turbo diesel engine oil, car engine oil, premium engine oil and a range of greases and other lubricants. The Eastman Group is a manufacturing and trading company with interests in motorcycles, motorcycle spares, hand tools and bicycles. Eastman Auto & Power Ltd also offers a wide range of spare parts and accessories in the Indian aftermarket.

Foreign exhibitors

Meanwhile, the UAE-based Canter Lube Oil showed its range of products like motor oils, bearing grease, spindle oil, shock absorber oil, general purpose grease and engine oil treatment, among others. An ISO 9001:2000 company, Canter Lube is a leading manufacturer of automotive industrial lubricants, especially oils and greases. Its products are marketed under the Regent, Rexco and Laser brands.

“Each product on display here features an advance blend of premium quality base stock and additive,” said Barhanuddin Lohawala, manager, Marketing, Canter Lube Oils. He added that buyers in India have been directly importing these products, though in small quantities. This year he received queries from prospective customers in Mumbai and Coimbatore and expects to sell 18 metric tonnes of oil in India.

Ukraine’s Xado displayed its range of gels and greases specifically designed to lubricate mechanisms and joints. These are suitable for petrol and diesel engines, gearboxes, transfer cases, differentials and hydraulic steering pumps. These products contain what Xado calls Revitalizants, which are a unique building material that adds microns to a worn pump element, hundredths to engine parts and tenths to a cog wheel, so as to repair them. This coating is very hard, quite smooth and corrosion resistant, according to the company.

Also on display were products for vehicle air-conditioning systems like a ready-to-use mixture of the refrigerant R 134A and compressor oil with Revitalizants.

Other exhibitors from China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, UAE and Ukraine generated a lot of interest among visitors. The PetroChina Lubricant Company stall attracted a string of business enquiries since it was the first time that this Chinese giant had come to India to showcase its products.

These included oils for petrol and diesel engines, as well as for other applications like marine, motorcycle, motor, industrial, gear, hydraulic, turbine, transformer, refrigerator, rubber and bearings. Over 300 types of lubricant oil, classified into 13 groups, are manufactured by the company under four brands including Kunlun, Feitian, Qixing and Daqing.

Overall, Lubeasia proved to be a focussed meeting point for manufacturers, service providers, consumers, sellers, resellers, retailers in the oil, lubricants and grease industries.