Lube-Tech PUBLISHED BY LUBE: THE EUROPEAN LUBRICANTS INDUSTRY MAGAZINE
towards the viability of wax ester-based biolubricants from crop plants [8]. Figure 4, below, is a performance comparison of the molecular targets.
Figure 4: A table synthesising the key properties, performance improvements, and test conditions of the molecular targets mentioned above [5, 6, 7, 8].
Market dynamics Although currently small compared to the entirety of lubricants, the global bio-lubricants market has entered rapid expansion and significantly outpaces growth in the sector. The bio-lubricant market was valued at $2.95 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $5.04B by 2030, following a compound annual growth rate of 13.7% [2]. This growth rate surpasses the approximately 4% compound annual growth rate for conventional petroleum-based lubricants, suggesting alternatives are capturing interest [2]. This is due to technological improvements, such as the genetic optimisation strategies mentioned previously, and external pressures from environmental regulations being put forth by many organisations.
In terms of regional adoption, North America is the current market leader; the continent accounts for the largest share of global bio-lubricant consumption in 2024 [2]. This is mostly because of the United States’ dominant 76.5% share of regional demand, driven by regulatory requirements for renewable practices, a resurgence of domestic automotive production, and strong biodiesel production infrastructure that provides feedstock availability [2]. Further, the European market, which is smaller, demonstrates high regulatory policies for lubricants as well. They are keen on promoting bio-based products and encouraging an atmosphere of environmentally favorable lubricants. Lastly, the
36 LUBE MAGAZINE NO.191 FEBRUARY 2026
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Asian-Pacific region represents the fastest-growing region, with China and India serving as hubs for automotive production that increasingly incorporate bio-lubricants to meet export market requirements and environmental standards [2]. Observably, automotive purposes are driving current demand, representing 62.4% of the total bio-lubricant consumption [2]. Specifically, engine oils and transmission fluids take account for most of the demand, with bio-based lubricants offering higher biodegradation rates, lower aquatic toxicity, and reduced bio accumulation compared to mineral oil products [2].
The industrial sector, which involves hydraulic systems, metalworking substances, and processing oils, makes up 46.1% of bio-lubricant use. Hydraulic fluids, for instance, tend to leak into the environment due to system leakage, prompting a more environmentally friendly alternative in bio-lubricants [2, 10]. Additionally, it is estimated that about 61 million litres of lubricating oil are leaked into marine environments annually, underscoring the importance of biodegradable alternatives [10].
Based on revenue market share, analysis shows vegetable oil serves as the primary feedstock, accounting for 89.6% of bio-lubricant formulations in 2024 [2]. This dominant trend exemplifies the favorability of vegetable oils due to the traits they pass onto their product (biodegradability, low aquatic toxicity, and lubricity) but their recent usage in agricultural biotechnology, increasing oilseed yields and altering genetics. Further, synthetic esters, while making a smaller size of the market, currently offer superior oxidative stability and performance across wide temperature ranges. Although a more ‘premium’ option, they are more suitable for demanding applications like aviation hydraulics and marine stern tube lubrication while genetic optimisation is being developed [10]. Lastly, polyalkylene glycols represent a niche segment that is valued for applications requiring water tolerance or extreme temperature functionality [10]
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