03/06/2026 by Joel Thompson
A recent report has forecast stable and moderate growth for the quenching oils lubrication market over the next decade.
The research highlighted how the sector’s trajectory is fundamentally connected to the industries that it is designed to serve, like aerospace manufacturing, industrial machinery and heavy manufacturing, which are core drivers for bulk demand on a global scale.
A staple of the metal working industry, quenching oils are produced by multiple brands including Quaker Houghton, Fuchs and Shell. A type of specialised and highly refined heat-treatment fluid, the oils are employed to quickly and controllably cool down metal during intense manufacturing processes. The oils act like a bridge in between the slow pace of air cooling and the sudden shock of water quenching, effectively stopping metal parts from warping or cracking.
Analysts predict growth in the next 10 years will be formed by a complex combination of factors. These include technological advances in material science and additive manufacturing, the rate of industrialisation in emerging economies, ever-developing environmental legislation and health and safety legislation; for example, there is growing demand for polymer-based quenching oils that can reduce fire risks.
Although the market has matured in established regions, there are possibilities for product innovations, especially in high-performance synthetic oils and bio-based formulations, to support greater efficiencies and more stringent regulations.
Statistics indicate steady expansion for the sector between 2026 and 2035 at a growth rate of 3.2 per cent for the period, underpinned by core industrial end uses and structural demand.
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