Global lubricant demand grew by 2% in 2011, according to Kline

The global lubricant market grew by 2% in 2011, with global lubricant demand estimated at 38.6 million tons, despite a challenging economic climate, according to consulting and research firm Kline & Company.
This growth was largely fuelled by the BRIC countries’ resurgent industrial activity and expansion in the commercial and passenger vehicles sales, it said.
The United States remains the largest lubricant market, but its near 22% global share continues to decrease. China and India are the next biggest markets with a combined total of more than 26%, with Russia’s consumption expected to surpass Japan’s and consequently be the fourth largest market.
The core of competition has evolved to be on a value chain basis and is most intense between multinationals and local majors in most developing countries. On the global level and an overall volume basis, Shell has maintained its leadership position in 2011 with a 13% market share, as well as leading in the branded lubricants category. ExxonMobil and BP follow with 10% and 7% shares, respectively.
In the near future, strong growth is also expected in Indonesia, South Africa, and Malaysia, driven by an increase in new vehicle ownership and production, construction, and industrial activity, especially in the power-generation and oil and gas production sectors.