Friction Modifier Additives Market - Forecast(2024 - 2030)

Friction Modifier Additives Market Overview

The Friction Modifier Additives Market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 3.8% in 2022-2027 and is valued at USD$1.3 billion by the year 2027. A friction modifier additive is a fuel additive commonly used in boundary applications to reduce the coefficient of friction and improve the lubricity and energy efficiency between two rubbing surfaces. Some common examples of friction modifier additives are phosphate esters, molybdenum disulfide, poly-alpha-olefin, and silicon carbide. They prevent scoring, reduce wear and noise, and can help to prevent micropitting in industrial gear lubricants. They are commonly used in engine oils and transmission fluids.

COVID-19 Impact

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many industries had suffered a tumultuous time, and it was no different for the Friction Modifier Additives Market. Many governments across the globe implemented lockdown regulations and factories & production facilities in many sectors came to a halt. The supply chain was greatly disrupted as many businesses followed the lockdown protocols. The primary end-use industries of friction modifier additives are the automotive, aerospace, and industrial sectors and both sectors were negatively impacted during the pandemic. According to the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d’Automobiles (OICA), the production of passenger vehicles decreased by 16.9% from 2019 to 2020. According to the International Air Transport Association, the demand for passenger air travel fell by 65% from 2019 to 2020 with international travel decreasing by 75.6% since 2019. However, the industry is recovering as the world governments are relaxing lockdown protocols as the public is being vaccinated and cases have decreased. As such, the Friction Modifier Additives Market is projected to grow within the forecast period of 2022-2027.

Friction Modifier Additives Market Report Coverage

The report: “Friction Modifier Additives Market – Forecast (2022-2027)”, by IndustryARC, covers an in-depth analysis of the following segments of the Friction Modifier Additives Market.

Key Takeaways

• The Asia-Pacific region holds the largest share by region in the Friction Modifier Additives Market within 2022-2027.
• Inorganic friction modifier additives are the most used type of friction modifier additives due to their variety of applications.
• Friction modifier additives are mostly used in engine oils and transmission fluids to reduce friction between surfaces.
• The growth of the automotive industry is expected to be a great driver for the Friction Modifier Additives Market.

Figure: Asia-Pacific Friction Modifier Additives Market 2021-2027 (USD $ Billion) 

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Friction Modifier Additives Market Analysis – By Type

The Inorganic type segment holds the largest share of 56% in the Friction Modifier Additives Market within the forecast period of 2022-2027. Inorganic friction modifier additives chemically react with the metal surface and change the frictional properties of the substrate. There are various types of inorganic friction modifier additives like anti-wear additives and extreme pressure additives. Anti-wear additives are used in lubricants to meet tougher demands such as heavier loads and higher temperatures. A common example of anti-wear additives is Zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate (ZDDP). Similar to anti-wear additives, extreme pressure (EP) additives are used to meet heavier load demands that activate in high pressure. They can also be temperature dependant or not. Organic friction modifier additives are also widely used with some common examples being fatty acids and esters. 

Friction Modifier Additives Market Analysis – By End-Use Industry

The Automotive industry holds the largest segment of 48% in the end-use industry segment of the Friction Modifier Additives Market within the forecast period of 2022-2027. This is because the primary application of friction modifier additives is in engine oils that are heavily used in the automotive sector. They are used in automatic and manual transmission, power steering, shock absorbers and they control torque applications through clutch and brand engagements. According to the Organisation Internationale des Cosntructeurs d’Automobiles (OICA), the total production of vehicles increased to 57.3 million in 2021 from 52.1 million in 2020 which was a 9.1% increase in production values. The growing demand for the automotive industry is one of the key driving factors for the Friction Modifier Additives market is reinforcing the growth of the market within the forecast period of 2022-2027.

Friction Modifier Additives Market Analysis – By Geography

Asia-Pacific holds the largest share of 42% in the geography segment of the Friction Modifier Additives Market within the forecast period of 2022-2027. This is because of the booming automotive sector in countries like China, India, Japan, and South Korea. According to the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d’Automobiles (OICA), the Asia-Pacific region had the largest production of motor vehicles in the year 2020, with a total production value of 44.3 million vehicles. China is the leading producer of motor vehicles in the world, with a total production of 25.3 million in 2020. China alone accounted for 32.5% of the total motor vehicle production in the world. As such, the Asia-Pacific region will hold the largest share within the forecast period of 2022-2027. 

Friction Modifier Additives Market Drivers

The exponential growth of end-use industries like the Automotive Industry and the Electrical Industry:

As mentioned above, the key end-use industry of friction modifier additives is in the automotive industry among others. As such, the growth in this industry proves to be a great driver for the Friction Modifier Additives Market. According to the Organisation Internationale des Cosntructeurs d’Automobiles (OICA), the total production of vehicles increased to 57.3 million in 2021 which was a 9.1% increase from the production values of 2020. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, the European Union (EU) invests around USD $ 70 billion annually for research and development in the automotive sector. The automotive industry is expected to grow substantially within the forecast period of 2022-2027 which proves to be a great driver for the Friction Modifier Additives Market. 

Friction Modifier Additives Market Challenges

Stringent Trade Laws and Regulations can hinder trade for the Market:

The stringent trade laws worldwide can prove to be a challenge as trade regulations for chemicals have limited the trade for friction modifier additives as well. For example, Regulation (EU) No 649/2012 of the European Parliament and the Council seeks to address international trade of hazardous chemicals by ensuring proper control in the trade and use of hazardous chemicals at a global level to protect human health and the environment. Another example is the REACH regulation which every product must abide by. A regulation by the European Union, REACH aims to improve the protection of human health and the environment from risks that can be posed by Chemicals. Although these regulations are for the benefit of the people, they tend to limit the trade of friction modifier additives. As such, this proves to be a challenge for the Friction Modifier Additives market within the forecast period of 2022-2027.

Friction Modifier Additives Industry Outlook

Technology launches, acquisitions, and R&D activities are key strategies adopted by players in this market. Friction Modifier Additives top 10 companies include:

1. Afton Chemical Corporation
2. BASF SE
3. Chemtura Corporation
4. Lubrizol Corporation
5. Multisol Ltd.
6. AkzoNobel N.V.
7. Vanderbilt Chemicals, LLC
8. Chevron Oronite Company, LLC
9. Croda International plc
10. Infineum International Limited 

Recent Developments

• On March 20, 2020, Red Line Synthetic Oil, a producer of synthetic lubricants and additives for the automotive industry, announced a partnership with drag racing outfit, Lex Joon Racing, throughout the year 2020. All lubricant and additive support, including friction modifier additives, were provided by Red Line Synthetic Oil.

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