Market Scenario 

Aviation lubricants market was valued at US$ 1,158.95 million in 2023 and is projected to hit the market valuation of US$ 1,946.48 million by 2032 at a CAGR of 6.05% during the forecast period 2024–2032.

According to the widespread expansion of global airline operations, aviation lubricants have seen dramatic developments in demand. The aftermath of the pandemic outbreak has resulted in a greater number of air journeys, and as a result, there has been an even greater demand for high-performance lubricants that will ensure security and efficiency of the aircraft. Aviation lubricating oils and grease are critical items that reduce friction, wear, and corrosion of moving components and keep the engine operating within design limits at temperature extremes. The Aviation Week Network estimates that as of 2023, the global commercial use aircraft fleet numbers around 25,900 airplanes. These include several kinds of narrow and wide-bodied jets and regional and cargo airplanes. Depending on the size and engine model, a change of oil onboard a commercial airplane typically uses 20 to 50 liters of oil in the aviation lubricants market. A Boeing 737, for example, would use approximately 25 liters of fuel, but larger aircraft such as the Airbus A380 could use up to 50 litres. In addition, general aviation, consisting of private aircraft as well as helicopters accounts for another 440,000 planes worldwide which all require assorted lubricants.

Due to an increase in international air traffic (over 4.5 billion passengers in 2023 according to the International Air Transport Association, IATA), there are shorter maintenance cycles which promote the growth of the aviation lubricants market. The introduction of more advanced aircraft with complex engines that need special lubricants also adds to the growth of the market. In addition, additional regulatory requirements call for more regular maintenance and the use of approved lubricants. 

Aviation lubricants are classified into synthetic oils, mineral oils, greases, and various hydraulic fluids. Synthetic oils, in particular, are in high demand because of their ability to work better under the extremes of temperature and pressure. Thus the top companies in the aviation lubricants market are ExxonMobil (Mobil Jet Oil), Shell Aviation (AeroShell), TotalEnergies (Total Aero), and Eastman Aviation Solutions (Skydrol hydraulic fluids). Such brands are well-known by the airlines and attending organizations globally for providing quality and durable services.

It can be projected that the aviation lubricant market will continue to thrive in the upcoming years. According to Boeing’s 2023 market outlook, the demand for aircraft will steadily increase and 41,000 planes will be introduced within the next two decades. Such growth leads to an increase in lubricant use. Additionally, industries are advancing towards the production of eco-friendly lubricants that will cut down emissions and increase fuel efficiency. Research on bio lubricants and cut-edge synthetic agents has already begun. Such effort indicates a move towards greener practices in aviation space. 

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Market Dynamics 

Driver: Expansion of Global Aircraft Fleet

The need for aviation lubricants is greatly influenced by the rise in the international aircraft fleet. Lubricants consumption also increases as airline companies globally expand their fleets to keep up with the growing passenger and cargo demand. More aircrafts in the aviation lubricants market require more maintenance, which, in turns, means more lubricants. Further studies by Boeing in October 2023 suggest that in order to meet the expected availability of passenger services and replacement of aging aircraft’s, by the year 2042, there will be requirement of around 41,000 new aircraft. This is expected to double the size of the global fleet from its current size. 

There is a growing demand for low-cost airlines in the aviation segment, which have been very aggressive in increasing the size of their fleets to enhance their market share. This phenomena in the requirement of aviation lubricants is especially pronounced in areas like Southeast Asia and Latin America where air travel is slowly becoming a common thing among the middle class. Moreover, there is a strong demand for more fuel-efficient models of planes which automatically escalates the demand for new planes that burn specific types of aviation oil. 

The global air cargo market is also growing, with the growth in e-commerce increasing the demand for more freighter aircrafts in the aviation lubricants market. With the global volume of air cargo in 2023 soaring past the 60 million metric ton mark, solutions for a good aircraft lifespan maintenance become indeed necessary. In addition, the global average aircraft age which currently stands at around 11 years calls for maintenance of optimal lubrication requirements for performance. Additional markets in the Asia Pacific and the Middle East are also emerging towards the air travel space in a very strong way. In the year 2023, more than 35% of global traffic was in the Asia Pacific region spurring regional airlines such as China Eastern and Emirates to place more aircraft orders. Such regional growth adds to the fleet size increases, and therefore, the size of lubricants that will be in demand.

Trend: Shift Towards Synthetic and Bio-based Lubricants

From the last few years, the market is witnessing growing trend towards the use of synthetic and bio-based lubricants. Synthetic lubricants perform better than most, especially in extreme heating and pressure conditions that aircraft operations usually experience. They also afford better thermal stability, oxidation resistance and have a longer service life than their mineral-based counterparts. In 2023, it was estimated that synthetic lubricants formed roughly 60% of the aviation lubricants market share. Top oil companies such as Shell Aviation and ExxonMobil have also stepped-up investments in advanced synthetic formulations. On the other hand, an increasing trend towards the use of bio-lubricants produced from renewable resources to minimize the environmental footprint.

The increasing need for as little environmental impact as possible when it comes to lubricants is fueled by legal demands and society’s adaptation to these practices. Green policies are gradually being embraced by airlines, with some of them promising to decrease their carbon emissions by 50% by the year 2030. Bio-based lubricants, lubricants made from oils sourced from plants, are made possible by advances in biotechnology that allow these high-performance oils to be manufactured. In twenty twenty-three, the aviation industry recorded a major shift in the strategies of oil sourcing, with biofuels registered at over a 100 million liters in consumption. This change is also presented by the introduction of both electric and hybrid engines that are fitted with special systems that utilize the specifically designed lubricants. The market of bio-based aviation lubricants is anticipated grow at the CAGR of 7% during the next decade, indicating the dedication of the aviation sector towards environmental conservation.

Challenge: High Cost of Advanced Lubricants

The global aviation lubricants market includes synthetic and specialized oils and these are said to offer improved performance and at the same time they cost higher than mineral based oils. This cost aspect has a bearing on the operating costs, and particularly for airlines, the profit margins are already very low. Prices of aviation synthetic lubricants are set to be anywhere between 2 to 3 times that of mineral oils. For example, modern turbine engine oil may be priced at $100 per gallon while standard oil only cost around $30. This could be quite a substantial amount in light of the fact that airlines operate large volumes. In 2023 global airlines are said to have spent approximately $ 15 billion in maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services of which lubricants were a key part.

The price of jet fuel in the aviation lubricants market is also influenced by the unsteady prices of advanced lubricants, which then adds to the cost. Airlines also have to factor in the requirements for compliance with the environmental policy, which sometimes mean the use of costlier lubricants. Purchasing lubricants in bulk or signing long-term contracts with suppliers are some examples of economies that the airline is looking into to reduce such costs. Further, lubricants manufacturers are also trying to come up with cheaper synthetic lubricants that will not compromise on effectiveness. The interested party still has to bear the initial cost of using such advanced lubricants, especially when there are likely future cost savings due to lower maintenance requirements and fuel economy achieved.

Segmental Analysis 

By Aviation Type 

Due to its vast operations across the globe and the volume of flights, the commercial aviation sector holds the largest share of the aviation lubricants market. Presently, the segment contribute more than 52.18% revenue to the global market. As of 2023, there are more than 25,300 commercial aircraft operating across the world including the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 Families. This fleet supports more than 100,000 flight operations on any given day, and as a result, they require constant servicing and lubrication for safe and efficient operation. One commercial jet alone can fly for 3,500 hours in a year and so requires lubrication after every 500 to 750 flying hours. Such high utilization resulting in consistent flying leads to the growth of aviation lubricants market.

The growth of the worldwide fleet of commercial aircraft activities greatly complements the growth of the aviation lubricants market as there is an ever-increasing number of people who need to fly. According to International Aircraft Interiors, in 2022, orders for new commercial aircraft grew to approximately 1,265 as more new ones joined the global fleet of airlines. Boeing and Airbus in spite of being the major aircraft manufacturing companies still have a huge backlog of over 12,000 aircraft on orders with various airlines due an upsurge of aircraft carriers. Annually, an average 1,000 aircraft are added to the total operational fleet size increasing the total number of operational fleets. This expansion for example occurred in 2023 where various airlines made new aircraft orders in a bid to further advance their fleet and widen their route networks resulting in greater demand of aviation lubricants in both new and old fleets.

In terms of the future projection, with the increasing business in the aviating industry and international trade, it is expected that the total average business fleet would amount to over 40,000 by 2040. In most of the developed or developing regions especially Asia-Pacific and other emerging markets, the growth is even more. Within the period of 20 years, it is predicted that China will need at least 8000 new commercial airplanes in order to satisfy the demand of passengers..

By Lubricants Type 

Oil-based aviation lubricants dominate the aviation lubricants market with over 83.46% market share due to their proven ability to work with all aircraft systems. The reality of the aviation industry as of 2023 is the fact they use over 200 million liters of oil-based lubricants in a year. More than 39,000 aircraft using oil-based lubricants including rotary and fixed wing operate around the world. The contemporary need is for lowering the friction /wear on the aircraft engines, hydraulic glands, and crucial components of extreme pressures. 

Currently, commercial airlines and military forces are the major consumers of aviation lubricants. Let’s take the example of the United States Airforce which has about 5,500 operating planes that need to be lubricated on a routine basis. Same goes for commercial airlines that have around 25000 operating which also require the use oil supplements. The aviation lubricants market has huge potential. Some reasons for this dominance include the cost and availability of oil based aviation lubricants. Moreover, operators have relied on oil based aviation lubricants for a long time and use well-structured supply chains.

ExxonMobil's Mobil Jet Oil II, AeroShell Oil W100 by Shell Aviation, and BP's Turbine Oil 2380 are key products and brands integrated in this segment. ExxonMobil stated that in the year 2022, sales of Mobil Jet Oil II surpassed 10 million liters. Their emphasis on oil is supported by the fact that Shell Aviation has lubricants for over 20,000 aircraft. The existence of these well-known brands guarantees the operators of airlines and other operation carriers of the availability of suitable lubricants that are high quality for aviation applications and has passed tough performance and safety requirements.

By Base Technology 

Synthetic base technology leads the aviation lubricants market due to its superior performance characteristics, especially under extreme temperature and pressure conditions. This segment captures over 58.35% of the market. In 2023, aviation industry had an approximate consumption of around 150 million liters of synthetic aviation lubricants. Synthetic lubrication incorporates chemicals that directly enhance thermal stability, oxidation, and other properties that are not incorporated in mineral oils. Because of this, they are very compatible with modern high-performance aircraft engines that operate at higher temperatures and speeds.

The growth in demand for synthetic aviation lubricants is also supported by the growing fleet of newer aircraft powered by high end engines like The Pratt & Whitney PW1000G geared turbofan which has over 1000 planes globally. These kinds of engines in the aviation lubricants market in turn will require lubricants with a chemical composition able to withstand high temperatures beyond 400 degrees Celsius. Some reasons for the widespread use of synthetic lubricants are cutting down on routine maintenance expenses although extending oil change periods and enhancing fuel economy. For instance, fuel savings of around 5% have been reported by companies using synthetic lubricants which translates to millions of dollars in savings as fuel expenses could reach $30 billion for the worldwide airline sector.

Different air transport users have come to prefer synthetic aviation lubricants because of their performance and economic advantages over other technologies such as mineral and synthetic blend aviation lubricants and oils. In addition, since they are used longer and create less waste, synthetic lubricants are also more environmentally friendly. Furthermore, the growth of this segment is facilitated by government regulations that are strict enough to require change and enhanced efficiency which makes it easier for operators to embrace synthetic lubricants. This has been noted by major players such as Eastman Chemical with its Skydrol line and NYCO with its Turbonycoil series who have registered growth in sales volumes every year.

By Application 

Engines are the main consumers of aviation lubricants market covering over 71.71% of the global share. Operating engines of an aircraft however, cannot do without specific engine oils, which now reach between 4.5-5 liters of use per every oil change as in modern jet engines. It is normal for aircraft to require engine oil service after 500 to 1000 flight hours, and taking into consideration that worldwide there are over 100,000 flights made in a given day, this leads to massive lubricant consumption. In the year 2022, the estimated amount of lubricants used only for engine was over 160 million liters.

According to the forecasts, the segment of engine applications is going to outperform airframe applications owing to the delivered efficient engine performance that can be maintained even in exceedingly severe conditions. Engine temperatures of aircraft are mostly in excess of 600 degrees Celsius and operate on very high rotational speeds which place a tremendous amount of stress on the lubricants. Effectively designed lubricant is important in ensuring the proper operation of the given part and the entire engine and aircraft with targeted end of safe transportation of passengers. As for the average, capitalization of a narrow body aircraft like a Boeing 737 stands at 15 liters annually in aviation lubricants markets whereas some larger wide body aircraft can consume as much as 40 liters per engine on an annual basis.

Production of high-quality civil aviation engine oils is essential for the correct functioning of civil aviation engine and building civil aviation fleet. The construction of new aircrafts which include new competition for lubricants leads to production of different lubricants. Such new lubricants undergo harshest certification in aviation segment. The certification includes specialized testing of different engines such as the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB which has been certified for performance in the Airbus A350 aircraft. The results are amazing when comparing the number of aircraft delivered with the A350 series which is over 600 and still counting around 2023 surpasses expectations. 

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Regional Analysis 

North America currently leads the aviation lubricants market with 35.53% market share due to the presence of a large aviation sector and advancement in technology. The United States alone contributes the most in this region possessing more than 5000 public airports and commercial planes numbering around 7500 by the year 2023. Companies such as ExxonMobil, Chevron Corporation, Royal Dutch Shell, and Aerospace Lubricants Inc. are actively working in this market. With an aim to dominate this region the companies invest heavily in innovations as well as research, development, and distribution. In 2022, ExxonMobil launched its high-performance aviation lubricant to respond to shifting needs of the industry. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, there were over 10 million flight movements in 2022 further suggesting the supposed high traffic for aviation lubricants. The demand is further supported by the fact that aircraft average around 2,500 hours of flight exposure on a yearly basis meaning rigorous maintenance is needed, which in turn enhances the usage of aircraft lubricants. As at 2023, the aviation lubricants market for the North American region is reported to be nearly about $500 million. Further the sheer size of its operations, for instance Delta Air Lines with over 800 aircraft in operation, highlights the level of the market potential.

On the other hand, Asia Pacific market appears to moving into the fastest growing and the second largest aviation lubricants market. This increase is due to fast economic development, growing middle-class people and underdeveloped passenger traffic. In 2023 China had over 4,000 commercial aircraft and now plans to have more than 200 airports constructed by 2035 increasing significantly its infrastructure capabilities. Reaching up to 76 million in 2023 in domestic air passenger traffic, India is also said to invest $10 billion for the aviation infrastructure over the period of the next 5 years. The total aircraft fleet in the region has reached more than 8,000 units in 2023 with more than 500 planes being added each year.

Major Players in the Aviation Lubricants Market 

• Aerospace Lubricants, Inc.
• Castrol
• China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation
• Curtiss-Wright Corporation
• Eastman Chemical Company
• Exxon Mobil Corporation
• Indian Oil Corporation Ltd.
• LANXESS AG
• NYCO Group
• Quaker Houghton
• Radco Industries, Inc.
• Sentinel Canada
• Shell plc
• The Chemours Company
• The Phillips 66 Company
• Total Energies
• Other Prominent Players

Market Segmentation Overview:

By Aviation Type

• General Aviation
  • Non-Piston Engines
  • Piston Engines
• Commercial Aviation
  • Non-Piston Engines
  • Piston Engines
• Military Aviation
  • Non-Piston Engines
  • Piston Engines

By Wing Type

• Rotary Wings
• Fixed Wings

By Lubricant Type

• Oil-Based Aviation Lubricants
  • Lubricating Oil
  • Hydraulic Oil
• Grease-Based Aviation Lubricants
• Penetrating Lubricants

By Base Technology

• Conventional/Mineral
• Synthetic
• Synthetic Blend
• Others

 By Application

• Engine
  • Bearings
  • Gears
  • Camshaft
  • Rocker Arms
  • Cylinder Walls
  • Piston Rings
  • Push Rods
  • Sockets
  • Others
• Airframe
  • Landing Gear Mechanism
  • Flight Control Mechanism
  • Brakes
  • Steering Mechanism
  • Others

By Packaging

• Up To 5 Gallon
• 5 to 50 Gallon
• Above 50 Gallon

By Distribution Channel

• Online
  • Company Websites
  • Third Party Authorised Distributors
• Offline
  • Direct
  • Distributor
    • Single Stores
    • Multi-Branded Stores

By Region

• North America
  • The U.S.
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Western Europe
    • The UK
    • Germany
    • France
    • Italy
    • Spain
    • Rest of Western Europe
  • Eastern Europe
    • Poland
    • Russia
    • Rest of Eastern Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • Australia & New Zealand
  • South Korea
  • ASEAN
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• Middle East & Africa (MEA)
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • UAE
  • Rest of MEA
• South America
  • Argentina
  • Brazil
  • Rest of South America