Lubricating oil additives market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

The market for lubricating oil additives in Belgium experienced stability in the early part of the period, with volume hovering around 260–263 thousand tons in 2018 and 2019. A significant surge occurred in 2020, lifting the market size to 313 thousand tons, though no country-specific drivers for this increase were highlighted in the available sources for those years.

Market volume then moderated and fluctuated near the 300 thousand ton mark through 2021 and 2022. During 2022, stricter European environmental regulations pushed manufacturers to develop more ecological and biodegradable lubricant additives, influencing product formulations and market offerings. Concurrent industrial growth and urbanization in Belgium continued to underpin fundamental demand for lubricants, even as the total market volume saw a slight contraction.

The period concluded with exceptional volatility, as the market expanded sharply to a peak of 410 thousand tons in 2023 before receding to 395 thousand tons in 2024. In value terms, the market showed even wider swings, reflecting changes in pricing and trade dynamics over the years.

Production lubricating oil additives in Belgium

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Belgium's production of lubricating oil additives declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 61 517 thousand US dollars, which represents a slight decrease of 0.8% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 5.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 65 326 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 5.0%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, rising by 12.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Belgium in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Following a two-year decline, Belgium's production of lubricating oil additives saw an increase. In 2020, the country produced 211.4 thousand tonnes, marking a modest uptick of 2.1% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 7.8%, with an average annual decline of 2.7%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 207.1 thousand tonnes. The largest drop occurred in 2018, falling by 9.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Belgium in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports lubricating oil additives from Belgium

Exports in kind, K t

The market performance showed significant fluctuations during this period. Exports from Belgium varied widely, with a 26-fold difference between the minimum in 2017 and the maximum in 2019. In 2020, Belgium exported 25.8 thousand tonnes of lubricating oil additives, which represents a sharp decline of 31.0% compared to the previous year. The peak was reached in 2019 at 37.4 thousand tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, surging by 2 031.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belgium in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium's exports of lubricating oil additives were distributed across a broad range of buyers. The Netherlands accounted for 19.9% of exports in volume, Germany for 14.8%, and France for 5.7%. Together, these three countries contributed only 40.4% of total exports, with many other nations holding smaller but still notable shares.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Belgium in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Market behavior was marked by volatility during these years. There was a 17-fold variation between the minimum in 2017 and the maximum in 2019. In 2020, Belgium exported 92.9 million US dollars worth of lubricating oil additives, down by 28.5% compared to the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 129.9 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, jumping by 1 421.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belgium in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Belgium's exports of lubricating oil additives in value terms were spread across numerous countries. The Netherlands represented 21.2% of exports by value, Germany 14.3%, and France 7.3%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for just 42.8% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Belgium in value, 2017-2020

Imports lubricating oil additives to Belgium

Imports in kind, K t

Belgium's imports of lubricating oil additives increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 127.6 thousand tonnes, which is 41.3% higher than the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 55.7%, equating to an average annual rate of 15.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belgium in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the largest suppliers of lubricating oil additives to Belgium were France, accounting for 56.0% of imports in volume, Italy with 17.8%, and the United States with 7.0%. Together, these three countries made up 80.7% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Belgium in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Belgium's imports of lubricating oil additives reached 389.0 million US dollars, indicating a gain of 22.0% compared to the prior year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 24.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.7%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, falling by 4.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belgium in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, France, Italy, and the United States consistently led in Belgium's import structure by value. France accounted for 55.1% of imports in value terms, Italy for 20.4%, and the United States for 6.9%. Together, they represented 82.3% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Belgium in value, 2017-2020