PETRONAS and Univar: Exclusive UK lubricants partnership

PETRONAS Lubricants Italy S.P.A and its UK counterpart, PETRONAS Lubricants Great Britain Limited (PLI), have entered into an exclusive macro distributorship agreement with Univar Solutions B.V. and Univar Solutions UK Limited. These subsidiaries of Univar Solutions Inc., a global leader in specialty ingredients and chemicals, will exclusively distribute PLI lubricants in the UK starting November 1, 2023. This collaboration aims to cater to the UK’s automotive and industrial sectors, offering lubricants for cars, trucks, vans, agricultural vehicles, and motorcycles.

PLI, which ranks among the top 10 lubricant producers in Europe, boasts production facilities in Italy, Spain, and Belgium. Univar Solutions, leveraging its dedicated hub/spoke model, ensures an expansive warehouse and transportation network in the UK, effectively meeting the lubricant demands of automotive and industrial market customers.

This strategic partnership promises supply-chain efficiencies, positioning the PLI brand competitively in the UK’s lubricants sector. In alignment with the agreement, Univar Solutions will bolster PLI’s growth aspirations in the UK, ensuring the brand’s robust presence in Europe’s third-largest lubricants market. All PLI product ranges currently available in the UK will continue to be sold through Univar Solutions.

Nigel Hayes, senior vice president of EMEA Chemical Distribution for Univar Solutions, commented, “This partnership with PLI is a testament to our shared vision. We aim to simplify the supply chain while enhancing market services, such as reducing lead times. Our combined focus on sustainability and PLI’s product range will undoubtedly offer innovative solutions to the market.”

Giuseppe Pedretti, PLI EMEA managing director, expressed confidence in the partnership. “Univar Solutions’ strong presence in the UK IML industry will be instrumental in our growth ambitions. We anticipate a seamless transition and trust Univar Solutions to deliver exceptional service levels to our UK partners, backed by their formidable distribution network.”