The cold rolling oils/lubricants market is expected to grow moderately between 2025 and 2035 as per the growing requirements from the metalworking or steel processing industry directly contributes to the growth, advances in rolling fluid formulation and penetration of end use sectors such as automotive, construction and consumer appliances.
The main residual process of friction-reduction, roll wears-control, surface roughness improvement, and heat-production-dissipation that occurred during the metal deformation at ambient temperature is cold rolling lubricants (consisting of mineral oils, synthetic fluids, and emulsifiers).
As manufacturers strive to improve process efficiency and surface quality with lower downtimes, there is growing demand for high-performance, sustainable lubricants. The Cold rolling oils/lubricants market is expected to grow CAGR 5.4% from USD 17,075 Million in 2025 to over USD 28,891.2 Million by 2035.
Key Market Metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Market Size in 2025 | USD 17,075 Million |
| Projected Market Size in 2035 | USD 28,891.2 Million |
| CAGR (2025 to 2035) | 5.4% |
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Driven by demand from the automotive, aerospace, and appliance industries, North America is a prominent market for cold rolling oils. The United States has been upgrading its steel mills with state-of-the-art cooling and lubrication systems. Synthetic rolling fluids and emulsion-based lubes which adhere to EPA regulations and safety standards are gaining market share [Source: OECD].
The exclusive research provides a to-the-point overview of Europe’s cold rolling lubricants market, along with insights on key factors driving innovations in formulations - stringent regulations under REACH, and manufacturers foraying into bio-based and low-emission formulations. High-grade finish requirements in stainless steel and aluminum rolling have set Italy, Germany, and France as an important European region for the demand of non-staining, low-residue oils. New lubricant developments in the region are based on sustainability targets and closed filter therapy [Source: European Commission].
Asia-Pacific holds the maximum share in the market globally based upon volume, owing to the increases in industrialization by China, India, South Korea, and Japan for steel manufacturing. This should continue to support lubricant consumption as demand for cold-rolled coils in automotive and infrastructure remains steady. As exporters of metal products increases more focus on ROH, the companies are investing large amounts in high performance emulsions and synthetic blends that minimize roll wear and maximize surface [Source: UN].
Challenges
Disposal regulations, oil mist management, and price volatility restrict operational efficiency.
One of the most important environmental problems related to lubricant used is the disposal of spent lubricants and emulsified oils, which has become a pressing environmental issue due to both developed and emerging economies' ongoing changes in waste management laws. If not properly managed, it can lead to water contamination, which is what necessitating expensive treatment systems or in-house recovery plants [Source: OECD].
In addition, oil mist emissions exhaust from cold rolling mills would endanger the labour health and safety. Mist collectors and ventilation systems are known, but their high cost and energy requirement increase operational costs. The price volatility in raw materials for base oils and specialty additives also affects the cost competitiveness of lubricant manufacturers.
Opportunities
Synthetic and bio-based formulations, IoT-integrated systems, and closed-loop filtration offer growth avenues.
The trend toward synthetic and semi-synthetic lubricants, which provide improved thermal stability, oxidation resistance, and biodegradability, has created opportunities for mineral oil-based products in the premium segments. In particular, with evolving markets focusing on sustainability in Europe and Japan, use of esters and vegetable oils (bio-based fluids) are becoming popular.
Rise of digital transformation in manufacturing is boosting demand for lubricant monitoring systems, enabled by IoT. Sensors embedded within the rolling systems monitor lubricant temperature, flow rate and contamination in real time, minimizing downtime and enhancing predictive maintenance. Systems for closed-loop filtration and reconditioning further extend lubricant life, reducing total cost of ownership and waste generation.
From 2020 through 2024 the market was impacted by the changing demand for steel during caution and post caution recovery of industry as a whole as it came back from COVID-19. Metalworking operations became increasingly automated, along with a move towards clean and efficient lubricants. Zooming in on product offerings, the availability and pricing of products were influenced by supply chain disruptions and increasing costs of base oils and additives [citation needed].
As a result, between 2025 and 2035, the market for rolling oils will evolve toward high-performance, low-emission grades suitable for smart manufacturing ecosystems. A new focus area will be on minimizing lubricant use per ton of metal and incorporating enhanced oil-water separation, bio-compatibility, and cloud-integrated monitoring systems. Such vertical integration of the mills together with regional hubs will attract lubricant customization investment to better address specific metal and process needs.
Market Shifts: A Comparative Analysis (2020 to 2024 vs. 2025 to 2035)
| Market Shift | 2020 to 2024 Trends |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Landscape | Rise in chemical registration and emissions limits |
| Consumer Trends | Preference for cost-effective emulsions |
| Industry Adoption | Common in steel, aluminum, and copper rolling |
| Supply Chain and Sourcing | Reliance on mineral oil-based blends |
| Market Competition | Led by global chemical firms and steel mill suppliers |
| Market Growth Drivers | Industrial recovery, automotive and appliance demand |
| Sustainability and Impact | Focus on oil recovery and mist reduction |
| Smart Technology Integration | Manual oil metering and pH testing |
| Sensorial Innovation | Standard viscosity and odor-controlled blends |
| Market Shift | 2025 to 2035 Projections |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Landscape | Widespread adoption of eco-label lubricants and mandatory recycling laws |
| Consumer Trends | Shift to synthetic, bio-based, and high-efficiency formulations |
| Industry Adoption | Expanding into battery metals, EV materials, and specialty alloys |
| Supply Chain and Sourcing | Transition to renewable feedstocks and regionally sourced additives |
| Market Competition | Entry of digital lubrication tech providers and green chemistry startups |
| Market Growth Drivers | Sustainable manufacturing, smart factory integration, and material innovation |
| Sustainability and Impact | Full lifecycle oil management, closed-loop reuse, and energy efficiency |
| Smart Technology Integration | AI-assisted monitoring, auto-refill systems, and sensor-based diagnostics |
| Sensorial Innovation | Low-noise, odorless, and color-coded |
On the regional front, the USA cold rolling oils/lubricants market is anticipated to grow steadily over the coming years, thanks to healthy demand landscape across the automotive, aerospace and appliance manufacturing industries. Cold rolling lubricants play an important role in producing ultra-thin, high-precision stainless steel and aluminum sheets used in lightweight vehicles and energy-efficient appliances.
Demand for surface-finish-optimized rolling lubricants is additionally growing from investeren in electric vehicle (EV) production [Source: OECD]. Local lubricant manufacturers are making semi-synthetic and synthetic ester-based products that will comply with performance and environmental standards. Cold rolling fluid consumption for sheet metal processing is dominated by industrial hubs like Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| United States | 5.6% |
In the UK, cold rolling lubricants are becoming increasingly important in the automotive and advanced manufacturing sectors. This, combined with the countries renewed drive for steel production as part of the Industrial Decarbonisation Strategy is leading to an increasing demand for low-emission, water-soluble rolling oils [Source: OECD].
We are witnessing a transformation in the mills with regards to compliance with REACH as well as VOC reduction goals in the Midlands and Northern England where they are changing over from the traditional, non-compliant, formulations to our synthetic and bio-based formulations. The aerospace industry also helps to support demand for non-staining lubricants with high oxidation stability, while academia continues to spur advancements in recyclable and multi-pass lubricants.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 5.1% |
The EU is strong on cold rolling oils/lubricants market growth under its push for green steelmaking as well as sustainable industrial fluids. Emulsion type lubricants for carbon and stainless steel rolling are largely adopted by Germany, France and Italy.
EU regulatory measures under the European Green Deal are driving manufacturers to replace mineral oil-based lubricants with biodegradable and low-toxicity alternatives [Source: UN]. It is consistent mainly due to the automotive and white goods sectors, and investments in hydrogen-based steel production may result in the need to reformulate existing lubricant systems to align with cleaner processes.
| Region | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| European Union | 5.4% |
High-precision steel and electronics components industries in Japan support its cold rolling lubricants market. Rolling oil consumption is concentrated within steel and copper foil manufacturing for EV batteries, electronics and semiconductor. The Japanese manufacturers coat their high-value metal products with ultra-clean and low-residue lubricants that do not stain or corrode [Source: OECD].
They also include new-generation high-flash point, low-odor lubrication formulations designed to enable automation and high-speed rolling lines. The proliferation of thin-gauge aluminum rolling for consumer electronics and food packaging also contributes to market growth.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| Japan | 5.2% |
South Korea’s cold rolling oils/lubricants market is expected to grow at a robust pace over the coming years owing to increasing demand from automotive, electronics and shipbuilding sectors. Roll manufacturers and non-ferrous metal companies are increasing the implementation of modern, high-speed continuous rolling equipment, therefore driving the growing demand for application of high performance synthetic lubricants for rolling mills [Source: OECD].
Others, including South Korean manufacturers, are developing low-foaming, anti-rust lubricant blends for ultra-thin steel sheets that can be incorporated in display panels and battery cases. To conform to worldwide export criteria, governmental efforts of sustainability are forcing producers to use eco-label and biodegradable rolling fluids.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| South Korea | 5.7% |
Cold rolling oils/lubricants industry is changing with developments in high-speed metal working and justice surface finishing. Cold rolling process helps in converting hot rolled material into finished product via rolling gaps with lubrication which is needed for reducing friction and dissipating heat and improving surface quality for strips.
Due to a combination of balanced performance, emulsion stability, and compatibility with all non-ferrous metals, semi-synthetic cold rolling lubricants and aluminum processing account for the highest share of the global market among the different product types and material-specific applications. The segments enable productivity, surface finish precision, and rolling mill durability in automotive, aerospace, and packaging applications.
In addition, as industries progressively prioritize light weighting and surface integrity, advanced cold rolling fluids (especially in aluminum foil, sheets and can stock) continue to consider center stage in achieving clean and defect-free finishes on metals.
| Product Type | Market Share (2025) |
|---|---|
| Semi-Synthetic Cold Rolling Oils/Lubricants | 64.3% |
Increased demand for machining operations in precision manufacturing industries such as automotive, aerospace, and medical has led to increased usage of semi-synthetic cold rolling oils to a lead market. They're used in applications to maintain consistent plasto-hydrodynamic film formation under high rolling loads, to improve rolling temperature and surface oxidation control.
High-speed rolling mill operators, however, prefer semi-synthetic oils due to better lubrication and oxidation stability. Additionally, they prolong service life, decrease residue accumulation, and reduce roll wear, making them a perfect choice for the precision rolling of thin-gauge materials.
By balancing performance with price, semi-synthetic oils are ideal choice in developed economies with higher demand for productivity and price sensitivity, and in emerging economies with low level playing field.
Mineral-based oils are still found in legacy systems, and synthetic oils are predominant in niche high-precision rolling, but semi-synthetics have the upper hand in the wider market, where operational flexibility and performance profile are often the key decision-drivers.
| Material | Market Share (2025) |
|---|---|
| Aluminium | 67.1% |
The aluminum processing is the leading application segment for the cold rolling oils, due to the increasing demand for lightweight metals in automotive, aerospace, and consumer packaging sector. Aluminium cold rolling involves highly refined lubricants to keep strips clean, prevent scratching and maintain high surface reflectivity.
Aluminium cold rolling stands to benefit from semi-synthetic oils, with improved cooling, minimal foam production and excellent control over surface texture, essential for products like aluminum foil, litho sheets and beverage cans. These oils also reduce roll wear and increase lubricant intervals with continuous production cycles.
Simultaneously, the global drive for automotive light weighting to comply with fuel efficiency and emission standards has widened aluminum sheet manufacturing in automotive applications [Source: IEA], augmenting the demand for effective cold rolling lubrication systems. Steel will continue to reign supreme as a base material in industrial rolling, but aluminum is expected to lead for its growing end-use in lightweight hypertension, packaging and electronics all of which require defect-free surface finishing and all have controllable rolling parameters.
Increase in demand for quality rolled steel and aluminum in automotive, construction, packaging, and electronics sectors is driving the growth of the cold rolling oils/lubricants market. Cold rolling is a mechanical deformation process in which oils and lubricants must be carefully selected in order to reduce the friction while ensuring that heat is properly dissipated and the correct surface finish is obtained.
The growing adoption of synthetic and semi-synthetic emulsions, biodegradable oil, and advanced anti-wear additives will boost the market growth. Manufacturers are embracing eco-friendly solutions by moving toward low V.O.C., chlorine-free and water-soluble lubricant technologies, as sustainability regulations become more stringent [Source: OECD].
Market Share Analysis by Key Players & Cold Rolling Oil/Lubricant Providers
| Company Name | Estimated Market Share (%) |
|---|---|
| Quaker Houghton | 14 - 17% |
| ExxonMobil Corporation | 11 - 14% |
| BP Castrol | 9 - 12% |
| Henkel AG & Co. KGaA | 7 - 10% |
| Petroyag Lubricants | 6 - 9% |
| Other Providers | 38 - 45% |
| Company Name | Key Offerings/Activities |
|---|---|
| Quaker Houghton | In 2024 , launched QUAKERROL E-series synthetic emulsions for ferrous alloys; in 2025 , introduced low-residue rolling oils for automotive-grade aluminum. |
| ExxonMobil Corporation | In 2024 , introduced Mobil Vactra CR line with improved thermal stability; in 2025 , launched chlorine-free oils for high-speed tandem rolling operations. |
| BP Castrol | In 2024 , rolled out biodegradable rolling fluids for precision steel rolling; in 2025 , expanded EV-compatible aluminum rolling lubricants with ultra-low volatility. |
| Henkel AG & Co. KGaA | In 2024 , released BONDERITE L-MR series for extended emulsion life and tool compatibility; in 2025 , developed pH-stable oils for high-carbon steel rolling. |
| Petroyag Lubricants | In 2024 , scaled production of sulfur-free synthetic lubricants in Turkey; in 2025 , added high-pressure emulsifiers for stainless and copper alloy rolling. |
Key Market Insights
Quaker Houghton (14-17%)
Quaker Houghton leads the cold rolling lubricants segment through deep expertise in metalworking chemistry and mill process integration. In 2024, it launched the QUAKERROL E-series synthetic emulsions tailored for high-speed rolling of carbon and alloy steels. In 2025, it introduced low-residue rolling oils for aluminum sheet production in the automotive sector, ensuring better downstream paint adhesion. The company’s sustainability roadmap emphasizes reduced oil carryover, energy savings, and REACH-compliant formulations [Source: OECD].
ExxonMobil Corporation (11-14%)
ExxonMobil remains a dominant supplier in performance lubricants and rolling oils for high-load operations. In 2024, it released the Mobil Vactra CR range featuring high thermal stability and extended service life. By 2025, ExxonMobil developed chlorine-free and low-fuming lubricants designed for tandem rolling mills, enhancing safety and environmental compliance. Its solutions support the production of ultra-thin, high-tensile sheets required in automotive light weighting initiatives [Source: UN].
BP Castrol (9-12%)
BP Castrol is leveraging its experience in industrial and synthetic fluids to develop next-gen cold rolling lubricants. In 2024, it launched biodegradable rolling fluids that meet EU eco-label requirements, targeting steel mills seeking ISO 14001 compliance. In 2025, Castrol expanded its aluminum rolling lubricant portfolio for electric vehicle components, offering low-volatility fluids that withstand high-speed, precision rolling environments. These products support circular economy goals in metals manufacturing [Source: OECD].
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (7-10%)
Henkel offers cutting-edge lubricants under its BONDERITE brand for advanced metal forming. In 2024, it introduced the L-MR series designed to extend bath life, reduce foam, and improve tool compatibility in multi-pass rolling. In 2025, Henkel developed stable-in-use rolling oils for high-carbon steels, which maintain emulsion properties across a wider pH and temperature range. Henkel's R&D focuses on reducing total cost of ownership and improving worker safety in metal rolling environments [Source: WHO].
Petroyag Lubricants (6-9%)
Petroyag is rapidly expanding in the Middle East, Europe, and Central Asia with custom-formulated rolling oils. In 2024, it increased production of sulfur- and chlorine-free synthetic lubricants that minimize staining in stainless steel processing. In 2025, the company added new emulsifier packages for copper and brass alloy rolling, supporting precise dimensional control and heat dissipation. Petroyag’s regional proximity and cost-effective offerings make it a preferred choice for Tier-2 mills [Source: World Bank Report].
Other Key Players (38-45% Combined)
A diverse range of regional manufacturers, specialty blenders, and eco-lubricant startups are contributing to innovation in the cold rolling oils/lubricants market. These include:
The overall market size for the cold rolling oils/lubricants market was USD 17,075 Million in 2025.
The cold rolling oils/lubricants market is expected to reach USD 28,891.2 Million in 2035.
The demand for cold rolling oils/lubricants is rising due to increasing demand for high-precision metal processing, growing automotive and construction sectors, and the need for improved surface quality in metal sheets. Semi-synthetic formulations and their widespread use in aluminum processing are further fueling market growth.
The top 5 countries driving the development of the cold rolling oils/lubricants market are China, the USA, Germany, India, and Japan.
Semi-synthetic formulations and aluminum processing are expected to command a significant share over the assessment period.
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