Europe Lubricating Grease Market Forecast to 2030 - Regional Analysis - by Base Oil [Mineral Oil, Synthetic Oil, and Bio-based], Thickener Type, and End-Use Industry

The Europe lubricating grease market was valued at US$ 711.44 million in 2022 and is expected to reach US$ 932.76 million by 2030; it is estimated to register a CAGR of 3.4% from 2022 to 2030.

Rapid Industrialization Drives Europe Lubricating Grease Market

Lubricating grease is one of the key components used in the industrial sector, which helps the equipment to run efficiently and offer maximum reliability. It is used in various industries, such as automotive, oil & gas, textile, glass, power generation, paper & pulp, chemicals, petrochemicals, agriculture, marine, industrial manufacturing, food & beverages, and pharmaceuticals. As economies undergo significant transformation, with burgeoning manufacturing, construction, and industrial sectors, the reliance on lubrication solutions becomes paramount.

In the wake of this rapid industrialization, lubricating grease is experiencing heightened demand to ensure the optimal performance and longevity of industrial equipment. Lubricating grease caters to the seamless operation of manufacturing machinery and sustains industrial production momentum. In parallel, the construction industry, a cornerstone of industrialization, significantly influences the demand for lubricating grease.

Increasing investment in the industrial sector is significantly increasing the demand for lubricating greases. With a surge in production activities, the machinery utilized in manufacturing processes requires efficient lubrication to mitigate friction, reduce wear and tear, and extend operational lifespan. Lubricating grease caters to these specific needs, contributing to the seamless operation of manufacturing machinery and sustaining industrial production momentum.

The renewable energy industry, a subsegment of the power sector, is also emerging as a prominent consumer of lubricating grease. Grease is primarily used in turbines and transformers in this industry. In recent years, the increasing demand for renewable energy has led to an upsurge in wind turbine installations worldwide. Countries across the world are taking initiatives to increase their renewable energy capacities through wind turbine installations.

For instance, in February 2023, Paris-based renewables independent power producer (IPP) Total Eren announced its plans to build a 112-megawatt wind farm in San Marcos de Colon in the Choluteca Department, Honduras. Thus, the rapid industrialization in developing economies is driving the demand for lubricating grease across diverse sectors.

Europe Lubricating Grease Market Overview

The lubricating grease market in Europe is segmented into Germany, France, Italy, the UK, Russia, and the Rest of Europe. Growing installation of onshore and offshore wind energy plants and increasing scale of automotive manufacturing contribute to the Europe lubricating grease market growth. The growing installation of wind turbines in Sweden, Finland, Germany, and France, coupled with the rising demand for renewable energy, contributes to the growth of the Europe lubricating grease market in Europe. According to the WindEurope VZW/ASBL, Europe recorded 19.1 GW of new wind installations in 2022, including ~16.7 GW onshore and 2.5 GW offshore projects. Grease is used to enhance the performance of wind turbines as it aids in resistance to corrosion, heat, weather, and flames.

The automotive industry contributes notably to the GDPs of several European countries, including Germany, the UK, and Italy. According to a report by the European Commission, the automotive industry's turnover accounts for 7% of the region's total GDP. The region has several prominent automotive players, including Volkswagen AG, Stellantis NV, Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, and Renault SA. In the automotive industry, lubricating grease is used to enhance the performance of vehicle engines and safeguard components from corrosion, oxidation, and extreme pressure conditions.

In 2021, the National Lubricating Grease Institute reported that grease production in the region increased by 5%. In 2021, 49 grease plants in Europe reported an output of 216.7 million kilograms of grease, compared to the 205.3 million kilograms of production recorded in 2020. Furthermore, according to the European Commission, the building & construction sector in the European Union (EU) provides 18 million direct jobs, contributing to ~9% of the EU's GDP.

Europe's construction sector has consistently expanded, fueled by a rising population. Also, rapid shifts in the remodeling business trends, such as remodeling for accessibility, style mashing-up, customizations, and technological integrations, are likely to increase business expansion. The growth of the Europe lubricating grease market has also been supported by increased government spending on infrastructure building.

Thus, the growing use of lubricating grease in the automotive, energy, building & construction industries, among others, and an upsurge in grease production propels the growth of the Europe lubricating grease market.

Europe Lubricating Grease Market Revenue and Forecast to 2030 (US$ Million)

Europe Lubricating Grease Market Segmentation

The Europe lubricating grease market is categorized into base oil, thickener type, end-use industry, and country.

Based on base oil, the Europe lubricating grease market is segmented mineral oil, synthetic oil, and bio-based. The mineral oil segment held the largest market share in 2022. The synthetic oil segment is further sub segmented into polyalkylene glycol, polyalphaolefin, and esters.

In terms of thickener type, the Europe lubricating grease market is categorized into lithium, lithium complex, polyurea, calcium sulfonate, anhydrous calcium, aluminum complex, and others. The lithium segment held the largest market share in 2022.

By end-use industry, the Europe lubricating grease market is segmented into conventional vehicles, electric vehicles, building & construction, mining, marine, food, energy & power, and others. The conventional vehicles segment held the largest market share in 2022.

By country, the Europe lubricating grease market is segmented into Germany, France, the UK, Italy, Russia, and the Rest of Europe. The Rest of Europe dominated the Europe lubricating grease market share in 2022.

Exxon Mobil Corp, Fuchs SE, Petroliam Nasional Bhd, Shell Plc, Kluber Lubrication GmbH & Co KG, TotalEnergies SE, BP Plc, Chevron Corp, Valvoline Inc, and Axel Christiernsson AB are some of the leading companies operating in the Europe lubricating grease market.