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ExxonMobil has announced an investment of approximately ₹900 crore to establish a state-of-the-art lubricants manufacturing facility in Maharashtra. The upcoming plant is expected to strengthen the company’s supply chain capabilities in India and support the growing demand for high-performance lubricants across automotive and industrial sectors.

In Mumbai, Re Sustainability Limited has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Oil Corporation Limited to launch India’s first structured nationwide initiative for the collection and recycling of used lubricating oil. This collaboration represents a major step toward building a circular ecosystem for lubricant management and supporting the country’s shift to a resource-efficient, low-carbon economy.

Tesla is reportedly planning to expand into India’s industrial energy storage sector, according to Reuters, which cited a job listing on the company’s official website.
The report indicates that Tesla is looking to recruit a business development lead in India who will be responsible for driving market entry and executing a growth strategy for industrial-scale energy storage solutions. The role is expected to play a key part in establishing Tesla’s presence in the country’s utility-scale storage segment.

South Korean automaker Kia Corporation has extended its global partnership with TotalEnergies for another five years, continuing a collaboration that has spanned over two decades and will now run through 2031.
As part of the renewed agreement, TotalEnergies’ Quartz engine oils will remain available to Kia customers and dealerships worldwide, ensuring continued access to advanced lubrication solutions throughout the vehicle ownership lifecycle.

An updated approval list released by Association Quality Management Biodiesel, in partnership with the European Biodiesel Board and the European Waste-based & Advanced Biofuels Association, shows that a significant number of trucks, buses, tractors, and construction vehicles are already compatible with higher biodiesel blends.

French synthetic lubricant company NYCO has announced that its manufacturing facility in Newnan, which was inaugurated in mid-2025, is now fully operational. The plant is currently producing NYCOBASE synthetic ester base oils to cater to the North American market.

SKF has announced that it will introduce its new FlowMaster III lubrication pump at CONEXPO‑CON/AGG 2026, scheduled from 3–7 March in Las Vegas, Nevada. Visitors will be able to view the new system at the SKF Lincoln booth (N10362) in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

ACDelco, the aftermarket automotive products brand of General Motors, has re-entered the Indian market through a licensing partnership with Assurance International Limited. As part of the agreement, Assurance International plans to invest about ₹300 crore in establishing a battery manufacturing facility over the next three years.

Ravenol, the lubricant brand of Ravensberger Schmierstoffvertrieb GmbH, has strengthened its anti-counterfeiting programme by expanding a system that combines secure packaging features with digital product verification. The move comes in response to increasing circulation of counterfeit lubricants in European markets.

Shell plc and Dutch immersion cooling specialist Asperitas have renewed their partnership through a formal Recommended Partner designation, extending a collaboration that began in 2019. Shell Ventures also holds an equity stake in Asperitas.

ASTM International’s petroleum products, liquid fuels, and lubricants committee has released the first global quality standard for low-carbon fuel ethanol. The new specification is expected to simplify international trade and encourage broader adoption of cleaner transportation fuels.

Lubrizol Corporation, a specialty chemicals company owned by Berkshire Hathaway and headquartered in Wickliffe, Ohio, has announced a joint technology validation programme with Guangzhou Industrial Investment Holdings Group Co., Ltd. (GIIHG), one of China’s largest state-owned industrial groups. The collaboration aims to develop advanced lubricant and fuel additive solutions for what is expected to be the world’s largest hydropower project currently under construction in China.

FUCHS Lubricants (UK) plc has strengthened production capabilities at its Stoke-on-Trent facility through investment in additional filling capacity and upgraded manufacturing control systems, responding to sustained demand across core market segments.

Repsol Lubricants has acquired a 44% stake in Valtec Premium Lubricants SRL and established a joint venture with Valtec B.V. to accelerate growth across Central and Eastern Europe.
The transaction was completed following clearance from the Romanian competition authority. Through this partnership, Repsol will expand its lubricants footprint across 17 countries in the region, spanning from Poland and Czech Republic to Romania and southwards to Greece.

Vertex Energy Inc. has broadened its base oil portfolio with the introduction of VTX-R6, a 6 cSt Group III re-refined base oil (RRBO). The new grade follows the earlier launch of VTX-R4 and adds a higher-viscosity option, enabling lubricant blenders to formulate finished products requiring greater viscosity.

Deutsche Infineum GmbH & Co. KG and RheinEnergie AG have entered into agreements to develop an 18-megawatt ground-mounted photovoltaic (PV) plant at Infineum’s production site in Cologne, Germany.
The solar installation is projected to generate approximately 18 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity annually and is slated for commissioning in 2027.

Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd. has entered into a Global Account Framework Agreement with Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco) covering the supply and cooperation in lubricating base oils.
Saudi Aramco maintains a strong global base oil presence through its downstream affiliates, including Luberef in Saudi Arabia, Motiva Enterprises in the United States, and S-Oil in South Korea.

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M) has announced a major expansion of its Advanced Research and Development Centre and testing infrastructure at Mahindra Research Valley (MRV) in Chennai. The company will invest approximately INR 1.96 billion (USD 23.2 million) to further strengthen its engineering and testing capabilities.

Caterham and Motul have renewed their partnership, uniting Caterham’s lightweight sports car engineering with Motul’s more than 170 years of expertise in high-performance lubrication. The renewed collaboration will support both road and motorsport activities worldwide, including across the Asia-Pacific region.

ZF Friedrichshafen AG and the BMW Group have reinforced their long-standing collaboration by signing a multi-billion-euro supply agreement for passenger-car drive systems. Running into the late 2030s, the contract centres on the ongoing development and supply of ZF’s 8-speed automatic transmission (8HP).