Infineum expands operations in India with new blending facility to augment growing automotive market

In the competitive, often discreet world of speciality automotive chemicals, Infineum’s latest move has industry watchers taking notice. The UK-based additive manufacturer, a joint venture between ExxonMobil and Shell, has announced a major leap forward with a state-of-the-art blending facility in India—an ambitious expansion aimed squarely at one of the fastest-growing automotive markets in the world. Infineum’s latest facility underscores both its confidence in the country’s manufacturing potential and the intensifying competition within the sector.

Scheduled for completion by March 2025, the facility will start trial production mid-year, with full-scale commercial blending set to begin by the third quarter, according to S. K. Raghuram, Infineum’s India Country Head. "We plan to get it fully operational by Q3 2025," Raghuram noted during the company's 25th anniversary celebrations in Jaipur. The facility will focus on blending sulfonate and salicylate packages—two chemical additives critical to automotive lubricant performance. Sulfonates are known for their detergency, essential for keeping engines clean by preventing sludge and varnish buildup, while salicylates contribute anti-wear and anti-corrosion properties, helping protect engines from the effects of friction and oxidation. Together, these additives support the longevity and efficiency of engines, particularly valuable as vehicle manufacturers look to meet stricter environmental standards. 

Infineum’s facility aims to offer more than just production capacity; it is designed to give automotive lubricant manufacturers a customizable toolkit. By allowing for precise blending of sulfonates and salicylates, the company will enable clients to fine-tune formulations for performance attributes ranging from engine cleanliness to fuel economy, each blend adaptable to meet regulatory requirements and evolving consumer demands. This customisable approach gives Infineum a competitive edge as automakers increasingly seek differentiated, high-performance lubricants.

This expansion places Infineum in direct competition with several other players who are also sharpening their focus on India, drawn by rising vehicle sales and the corresponding demand for high-quality lubricants and additives. As global supply chain disruptions prompt companies to explore more localised production models, Infineum’s India facility represents an evolution of its regional strategy, building on its existing full-service support operations that include chemical support testing and complex supply chain management.

Established in January 1999, Infineum has grown its global presence significantly, with production facilities and technology centers across Asia, the Americas, and Europe. Its India venture adds to a network that includes manufacturing plants in New Jersey, Rio de Janeiro, Cologne, Vado Ligure, Singapore, and Zhangjiagang, as well as partner-operated sites in France. 

As automakers race to align with greener, more efficient technologies, Infineum’s strategic expansion in India highlights the shifting priorities within the global automotive supply chain. With customisation and regionalisation, now guiding strategies, Infineum’s new facility may well shape the company’s approach in other markets—a model of adaptability as automotive industry demands evolve.