The lubricants industry is at a pivotal moment. Global transportation and industrial systems are undergoing one of the most profound transformations in decades, driven by tightening emissions regulations, rapid technology evolution, electrification, and the urgency of decarbonization. While much of the attention is focused on new powertrains or alternative fuels, a quieter but equally consequential transformation is happening beneath the surface — in fluids, lubricants, and the additive technologies that enable them.

“The industry often talks about hardware revolutions, but in reality, fluids are the silent enablers,” says Mark Davies, Vice President, Lubrizol Additives Technology. “Without continued advances in additive science, many of the efficiency, durability and sustainability gains we now expect simply wouldn’t be achievable.”

As hardware becomes more sophisticated and operating margins continue to narrow, additive innovation has moved from incremental improvement to playing a foundational role in system level performance.

A world of accelerating change

Over the past 30 years, the forces shaping lubricant requirements have evolved dramatically. Emissions legislation has consistently tightened, OEM hardware has grown more complex, and customer expectations around efficiency, reliability and environmental impact have risen in parallel.

From the introduction of catalytic converters in the 1990s to diesel particulate filters, selective catalytic reduction systems and the forthcoming Euro 7 framework, regulations have advanced in steady but relentless steps. Each new phase has demanded more from lubricant chemistry — not only protecting engines, but ensuring compatibility with increasingly sensitive aftertreatment technologies.

“Every regulatory step change effectively narrows the operating window for lubricants,” Davies explains. “We’re being asked to deliver higher performance with lower viscosity, tighter emissions limits and less tolerance for deposits or material incompatibility.”

At the same time, megatrends such as electrification, sustainability commitments and emerging market growth are reshaping global mobility. Future mobility is no longer defined by a single technological pathway. Internal combustion engines, hybrids, plug in hybrids and battery electric vehicles will coexist for decades, each bringing distinct lubrication challenges.

Despite strong electrification momentum in some regions, ICE containing vehicles will remain a significant part of the global vehicle parc well into the 2030s and beyond. This reality reinforces the need for innovation that supports both future technologies and the vast installed base already on the road.

Three decades of vehicle evolution — and what it means for lubricants

The scale of vehicle evolution over the last 30 years is striking. Modern vehicles deliver significantly higher power from smaller displacement engines, integrate electrified drivetrains, incorporate advanced safety systems and yet produce dramatically lower emissions than their predecessors.

“We now expect engines to be smaller, cleaner, more powerful and more durable — all at the same time,” says Davies. “That fundamentally changes what we ask of lubricants and additives.”

These gains reflect not only advances in hardware, but deep system integration. Engines, transmissions, aftertreatment systems, electronics and fluids must function as a cohesive whole. As a result, lubricants are required to manage higher stresses, tighter tolerances and more complex contamination environments, often while enabling longer drain intervals.

The shift toward ultra low viscosity engine oils is a clear example. Lower viscosity reduces friction and improves fuel efficiency, but it also leaves far less margin for compromise in wear protection, oxidation stability and cleanliness.

“Lower viscosity is one of the most powerful efficiency levers available,” Davies notes. “But it only works when supported by advanced additive chemistry that protects hardware under increasingly demanding conditions.”

Complexity is the new normal

Modern lubricant formulation has become an exercise in managing complexity. OEM specifications continue to proliferate, often with region specific requirements. Regulatory restrictions influence raw material choices, while base oil availability and quality vary globally. At the same time, lubricant portfolios must serve both new and older vehicles with very different design assumptions.

Electrification adds another dimension. Electrified drivetrains introduce requirements well beyond traditional lubrication — including electrical properties, copper compatibility, thermal management and long term material stability.

“Fluids are no longer single purpose products,” Davies says. “They are lubricants, coolants, insulators and protectants — often all in one — and they must perform reliably over much longer lifetimes.”

As a result, successful formulation today depends on system level understanding rather than optimizing individual properties in isolation.

Additives as a sustainability enabler

Sustainability is often framed through tailpipe emissions or energy sources, but lubricants and additives play a critical role in reducing lifecycle emissions. Efficiency improvements enabled by advanced additive technologies can deliver meaningful CO₂ reductions when applied across large vehicle populations.

“A small efficiency gain at the vehicle level may not sound dramatic,” Davies explains, “but when that gain is multiplied across millions of vehicles over many years, the sustainability impact becomes very real.”

Durability is equally important. Additives that extend drain intervals, preserve performance and control oxidation reduce oil consumption, waste generation and maintenance intensity — all of which contribute to a lower environmental footprint.

Advanced additive systems also unlock the potential of alternative and lower carbon base oils, including re refined and novel feedstock options. These base oils often require tailored additive chemistry to meet modern performance expectations.

“Additives are what make alternative base oils viable at scale,” says Davies. “They provide the stability, cleanliness and protection needed to deliver performance while improving circularity.”

In this way, additive innovation supports sustainability not only through a company’s own footprint, but through the broader handprint created by customer products in real world use.

The science behind modern lubricant development

Behind every modern lubricant lies a rigorous, multi stage development journey. From molecular design and analytical science through formulation, bench testing and full scale mechanical evaluation, the process is increasingly data driven and globally connected.

Engine and driveline testing remain critical to validating real world performance and securing OEM approvals, spanning conventional ICE, hybrid systems and full electrified drivetrains.

“Physical testing is still essential,” Davies says, “but it’s now complemented by advanced modelling, automation and data integration. That combination allows us to move faster and make better decisions earlier in development.”

Global connectivity across research, development and testing enables real time insight, supporting local for local solutions while maintaining global consistency.

Collaboration as a competitive advantage

Given the complexity of modern systems, collaboration across the value chain has become essential. OEMs define performance needs, industry bodies translate them into specifications, and base oil and additive partners develop solutions that meet both performance and sustainability goals.

“None of this works in isolation,” Davies emphasizes. “The fastest and most robust innovation happens when OEMs, additive partners, base oil suppliers and industry bodies are aligned and working together.”

Strong collaboration reduces development risk, accelerates time to market and ensures that performance upgrades deliver tangible value at every level of the ecosystem.

Simplifying the message without simplifying the technology

One of the industry’s biggest challenges is explaining increasing technical complexity in a way that resonates with customers and end users. The value of higher performing lubricants must be clear, particularly as vehicles move beyond warranty periods and purchasing decisions become more cost driven.

“If customers don’t clearly understand the value, performance remains theoretical,” Davies notes. “Our role is to connect advanced technology to real world benefits like efficiency, durability and total cost of ownership.”

Education, advocacy and clear communication are critical to ensuring that higher specifications translate into meaningful market adoption.

Looking ahead

Performance, sustainability and collaboration are no longer separate objectives — they are inseparable. Additive innovation will continue to underpin progress across internal combustion, hybrid and electrified systems, enabling lower emissions, greater durability and broader sustainability outcomes.

“The future of lubricants won’t be defined by a single breakthrough,” Davies concludes. “It will be shaped by sustained innovation, system level thinking and strong partnerships across the value chain.”

By embracing these principles, the lubricants industry can move beyond simply responding to change — and instead actively help shape a more efficient, durable and sustainable future.

Enabling Performance, Efficiency and Sustainability in a Transforming Lubricants Landscape