Hitendra Bhargava, CEO & Regional Management Board Member – Asia Pacific explained what these numbers mean for the Indian industry.
Industrial Economist (IE): The report points to steady growth in lubricants. What is driving this expansion?
Hitendra Bhargava (HB): India’s industrialisation is the key driver. Make in India and PLI schemes are boosting manufacturing and big infrastructure projects in railways, roads, mining and ports are creating heavy demand. Sectors such as automotive, cement and textiles are particularly lubricant-intensive.
IE: How is India evolving as a supply hub?
HB: India is not just a market; it is fast becoming a supply hub for the Asia Pacific. Local production reduces costs and shortens lead times. With our Rs 142 crore expansion in Mysuru, we are localising eco-lubricant production, cutting transport emissions and strengthening regional supply chains.
IE: Beyond volume growth, how does sustainability shape the market?
HB: With SEBI’s BRSR rules, companies must report emissions and energy metrics. High-performance lubricants reduce friction, save power and lower both Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. These measurable gains are now part of sustainability disclosures, which is a major shift. CFOs and ESG officers pay lot of attention. Lubrication projects now feature in annual reports because they show cost savings and carbon reductions. What was once a maintenance decision is now a strategic one.
As part of the Freudenberg Group, we disclose Scope 1 and 2 emissions, validated by EcoVadis, Sedex and NIEC. Independent checks build trust and show that our sustainability journey is measured, not just claimed.
IE: What advantage do sustainable lubricants bring?
HB: Global buyers demand compliance. In textiles and automotive, biodegradable and ecolabel-compliant lubricants often decide supplier audits. Exporters who adopt them enjoy a trade advantage and smoother market access.
IE: How do industry needs differ?
HB: Pharma and semiconductors need cleanroom-compatible, NSF-approved greases to meet ISO 14644. EVs bring new requirements: thermal management of batteries, high-speed e-axles and low-noise lubricants. We have developed solutions for these and are working with Indian OEMs to localise them.
IE: Looking ahead, what trends will define the industry?
HB: Biodegradable chemistries, nano-lubricants and AI-driven monitoring will shape the future. But the impact is already visible. In textiles, plants have cut energy use with investments under one crore and recovered costs in under a year. Small changes in lubrication are creating lasting results. Lubricants may be small in volume, but they are now central to India’s industrial growth story, linking compliance, cost efficiency and global trade. Small, smart interventions are creating big, lasting impact for Indian industry.