Sep 7, 2025
IndexBox has just published a new report: EU – Petroleum Lubricating Oil And Grease – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights.
The European Union’s market for petroleum lubricating oil and grease is on a steady growth trajectory, driven by increasing demand. Market volume is forecast to expand at a CAGR of +0.8% from 2024 to 2035, reaching 1.1 million tons. In value terms (nominal wholesale prices), the market is projected to grow at a CAGR of +1.8%, reaching $5.5 billion by 2035. In 2024, consumption rose by 1.8% to 979K tons, with a market value of $4.5B. Germany (227K tons), France (177K tons), and Poland (103K tons) are the largest consuming countries, accounting for 52% of total consumption. Lithuania exhibited the most remarkable growth in both consumption volume (CAGR +19.1%) and market value (CAGR +23.9%) from 2013-2024, also boasting the highest per capita consumption at 16 kg per person. Production in the EU saw a slight increase of 0.3% to 1.2M tons in 2024, led by Germany, France, and Belgium. The trade landscape is active, with imports totaling 421K tons ($2B) and exports at 622K tons ($3.2B) in 2024. Germany is the dominant force in both imports and exports, being the largest importer (84K tons, $375M) and exporter (229K tons, $1.3B) in the bloc. The average import price was $4,759/ton, while the average export price was higher at $5,084/ton.
Key Findings
EU demand for petroleum lubricants is expected to grow steadily over the next decadeMarket volume is projected to reach 1.1 million tons by 2035Volume growth is forecast at a modest CAGR of +0.8% from 2024 to 2035Market value is anticipated to grow at a higher CAGR of +1.8%The market’s value is projected to reach $5.5 billion (nominal prices) by 2035Market Forecast
Driven by increasing demand for petroleum lubricating oil and grease in the European Union, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +0.8% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 1.1M tons by the end of 2035.
In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +1.8% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $5.5B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.
ConsumptionEuropean Union’s Consumption of Petroleum Lubricating Oil And Grease
In 2024, consumption of petroleum lubricating oil and grease increased by 1.8% to 979K tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Overall, consumption recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the consumption volume increased by 5.4% against the previous year. As a result, consumption attained the peak volume of 996K tons. From 2018 to 2024, the growth of the consumption remained at a somewhat lower figure.
The value of the market for petroleum lubricating oil and grease in the European Union reached $4.5B in 2024, increasing by 2% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% over the period from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs in 2024 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.
Consumption By Country
The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2024 were Germany (227K tons), France (177K tons) and Poland (103K tons), with a combined 52% share of total consumption. Spain, Belgium, Italy, Lithuania, Romania, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 31%.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by Lithuania (with a CAGR of +19.1%), while consumption for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, Germany ($1.1B), France ($748M) and Poland ($459M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2024, with a combined 51% share of the total market. Spain, Belgium, Romania, Italy, Lithuania, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 30%.
In terms of the main consuming countries, Lithuania, with a CAGR of +23.9%, saw the highest growth rate of market size over the period under review, while market for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In 2024, the highest levels of petroleum lubricating oil and grease per capita consumption was registered in Lithuania (16 kg per person), followed by Belgium (4.1 kg per person), Poland (2.7 kg per person) and Germany (2.7 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of petroleum lubricating oil and grease was estimated at 2.2 kg per person.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the petroleum lubricating oil and grease per capita consumption in Lithuania stood at +20.1%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Belgium (-4.9% per year) and Poland (+4.9% per year).
ProductionEuropean Union’s Production of Petroleum Lubricating Oil And Grease
After two years of decline, production of petroleum lubricating oil and grease increased by 0.3% to 1.2M tons in 2024. In general, production, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 4.6%. As a result, production reached the peak volume of 1.3M tons. From 2018 to 2024, production growth failed to regain momentum.
In value terms, petroleum lubricating oil and grease production reduced modestly to $5.7B in 2024 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2023 when the production volume increased by 13% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $5.7B, leveling off in the following year.
Production By Country
The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2024 were Germany (372K tons), France (265K tons) and Belgium (94K tons), together comprising 62% of total production. Poland, Spain, the Netherlands and Italy lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 23%.
From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Spain (with a CAGR of +2.3%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
ImportsEuropean Union’s Imports of Petroleum Lubricating Oil And Grease
In 2024, approx. 421K tons of petroleum lubricating oil and grease were imported in the European Union; increasing by 2.1% compared with the year before. Over the period under review, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 11%. The volume of import peaked at 506K tons in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.
In value terms, petroleum lubricating oil and grease imports stood at $2B in 2024. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the period from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 21% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $2B in 2022; afterwards, it flattened through to 2024.
Imports By Country
In 2024, Germany (84K tons), distantly followed by Italy (38K tons), France (37K tons), the Netherlands (32K tons), Belgium (31K tons), Poland (25K tons), Spain (23K tons) and the Czech Republic (19K tons) were the key importers of petroleum lubricating oil and grease, together constituting 68% of total imports. Austria (17K tons) and Sweden (15K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.
From 2013 to 2024, average annual rates of growth with regard to petroleum lubricating oil and grease imports into Germany stood at +1.6%. At the same time, Belgium (+2.3%), Italy (+1.8%) and the Czech Republic (+1.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Belgium emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the European Union, with a CAGR of +2.3% from 2013-2024. The Netherlands, Sweden and France experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Spain (-1.1%), Poland (-1.3%) and Austria (-4.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Germany (+2.1 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Austria saw its share reduced by -3% from 2013 to 2024, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.
In value terms, Germany ($375M) constitutes the largest market for imported petroleum lubricating oil and grease in the European Union, comprising 19% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by France ($171M), with an 8.5% share of total imports. It was followed by Italy, with an 8.1% share.
In Germany, petroleum lubricating oil and grease imports increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the period from 2013-2024. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: France (+0.8% per year) and Italy (+3.6% per year).
Import Prices By Country
In 2024, the import price in the European Union amounted to $4,759 per ton, leveling off at the previous year. Over the last eleven-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.6%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2023 an increase of 20% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $4,825 per ton, and then dropped slightly in the following year.
Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2024, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in Poland ($5,369 per ton) and the Czech Republic ($5,269 per ton), while Italy ($4,237 per ton) and Germany ($4,483 per ton) were amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+8.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
ExportsEuropean Union’s Exports of Petroleum Lubricating Oil And Grease
For the third consecutive year, the European Union recorded decline in overseas shipments of petroleum lubricating oil and grease, which decreased by -0.9% to 622K tons in 2024. Overall, exports showed a slight shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 12% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of 809K tons. From 2022 to 2024, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.
In value terms, petroleum lubricating oil and grease exports fell slightly to $3.2B in 2024. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 21%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $3.3B. From 2022 to 2024, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.
Exports By Country
Germany represented the key exporter of petroleum lubricating oil and grease in the European Union, with the volume of exports reaching 229K tons, which was approx. 37% of total exports in 2024. France (125K tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 20% share, followed by Belgium (12%), the Netherlands (11%), Italy (5.5%) and Spain (5.4%). Poland (10K tons) held a minor share of total exports.
From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Italy (with a CAGR of +3.0%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, Germany ($1.3B) remains the largest petroleum lubricating oil and grease supplier in the European Union, comprising 40% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by France ($569M), with an 18% share of total exports. It was followed by Belgium, with a 13% share.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Germany amounted to +1.8%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: France (+1.3% per year) and Belgium (+3.5% per year).
Export Prices By Country
The export price in the European Union stood at $5,084 per ton in 2024, declining by -2% against the previous year. Export price indicated notable growth from 2013 to 2024: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, petroleum lubricating oil and grease export price increased by +60.4% against 2015 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2023 when the export price increased by 19%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $5,187 per ton, and then declined in the following year.
Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Poland ($5,625 per ton), while Spain ($3,647 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+11.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform