The Middle East Lubricants Market report segments the industry into Group (Group I, Group II, Group III, Group IV (PAO), Naphthenics), Base Stock (Bio-based Lubricant, Mineral Oil Lubricant, Synthetic Lubricant, Semi-synthetic Lubricant), Product Type (Engine Oil), End-user Industry (Power Generation), and Geography (Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Rest of Middle-East).
Middle East Lubricants Market Analysis
The Middle-East Lubricants Market size is estimated at 2.94 billion liters in 2025, and is expected to reach 3.31 billion liters by 2030, at a CAGR of 2.43% during the forecast period (2025-2030).
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the manufacturing industry was severely affected, and this resulted in a decrease in the use of lubricants in 2020. However, with the recovery of many construction projects and other industrial activities, the market saw a recovery phase in the year 2021. It is expected to see a positive trend in the forecasted years. An increase in automotive sales and engineering goods has been leading the market recovery over the last two years.
The industrial growth in Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates and the growing usage of high-performance lubricants are the major driving factors augmenting the growth of the market studied.
On the flip side, costlier high-performance lubricants are expected to hinder the growth of the market.
Developments in synthetic and bio-based lubricants are projected to act as an opportunity for the market in the future.
Saudi Arabia emerged as the largest market for lubricants and is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period.
Middle East Lubricants Market Trends
Automotive Sector to Dominate the Market
- Lubricants are typically used for applications such as wear reduction, corrosion protection, and ensuring smooth operation of the engine internals.
- High-mileage engine oils are experiencing great demand owing to specific properties, such as oil leak prevention and reduction in oil burn-off.
- Most light and heavy vehicle diesel and gasoline engines use 10W40 and 15W40 viscosity grade oils, while multi-grade oils, such as 15W50 and 20W50, are commonly used for aircraft engines.
- The average vehicle age has been increasing at a constant rate over the years, which is an opportunity in terms of the aftermarket refill market. The increasing average age of passenger cars and the growing urban population in developing countries is expected to drive the market for lubricants in transportation.
- The automotive industry is essential to the country’s socio-economic development. According to some local automotive industry experts, despite the growing electric vehicle sales worldwide, Saudi Arabia expects internal combustible engines (ICE) vehicles to make up the majority of cars driven in for the next 15-20 years.
- Some of the major players controlling the automotive industry in the country include Toyota, with a 30% share, followed by Hyundai and KIA, with 26%, and Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi, with 9%. General Motors, Ford, and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles comprise the remaining share.
- Saudi Arabia aims to localize the automotive sector and increase investment opportunities to achieve the national strategy’s objectives for the industry in developing local manufacturing capabilities in line with the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
- The Iran automotive market has witnessed a rise over the historic period, with demand for production increasing in the country. For instance, according to the OICA, car manufacturing in Iran increased by 19% in 2022, as the country manufactured 1.064 million vehicles in 2022, while the passenger vehicles produced were around 894,000 units in 2021.
- The International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (known as OICA) ranked Iran sixth in the world in terms of car manufacturing growth in 2022.
- Also, as per the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), the organization ranked Iran as the world’s 11th largest automaker in 2022.
- The United Arab Emirates automotive market has been experiencing a rise in vehicle registrations over the current period, with demand in production and sales increasing in the country.
- As per industry sources, the country’s automotive vehicle registration in the period January to September 2023 stood at 193,698, up 20.2% in comparison to the same period in the previous year.
- Moreover, in 2022, the country’s car market sold over 400,000 new cars, representing a 10% increase over the previous year. This growth is expected to continue in the coming years, driven by the country’s growing population and rising incomes.
- Thus, the factors above are expected to augment the growth of the market studied in the region during the forecast period.
