IMCD holds a Lubricants additives conference in Nairobi

Attendees at the IMCD conference.

SOURCE | IMCD

I MCD, a global leader in the distribution of speciality chemicals, recently held a conference for the lubricants sector in Nairobi, Kenya. This event was organised in collaboration with one of their key principals, Lubrizol, a leading producer of additives, and brought together lubricant blenders, marketers, and senior officials from both IMCD and Lubrizol. The primary aim was to educate the Kenyan market on the importance of quality additives and to introduce Lubrizol’s extensive product range available through IMCD.

Focus on the African Market

The conference began with an overview of the African market and its anticipated growth rate. The increasing number of vehicles and flourishing industrial sector are expected to drive continuous demand for lubricants in the continent. Lubrizol highlighted the critical role of additives in lubricants, discussing various products tailored for the East African market, including additives for automotive and industrial lubricants, fuels, greases, and metalworking fluids, all distributed regionally by IMCD.

>>The increasing number of vehicles and flourishing industrial sector are expected to drive continuous demand for lubricants in the African continent. New standards and efforts to ensure quality lubricants are in the market are also increasing the demand.

Growth Opportunities in Africa

John Fitton, IMCD’s Business Group Director for the Middle East and Africa (MEA) for Lubricants and Energy, explained the motivation behind the conference. He cited the significant growth opportunities for the lubricants additive business in Africa, noting the market’s shift towards high-quality synthetic lubricants and the increasing awareness of their impact on machinery. Fitton emphasised the region’s eagerness for knowledge and training, underscoring the need to educate end users about the advantages of using premium products over cheaper, low-quality alternatives.

Furthermore, Joseph Juma, Business Unit Manager for IMCD East Africa, stressed the importance of quality and performance when selecting additives. He expressed pride in offering Lubrizol’s product range and providing customers with the latest technologies and global trends in the lubricants industry.

Expanding Presence and Commitment

IMCD has been expanding its presence in Africa since 2003, meeting the growing demand for lubricant additives. With offices in Nairobi and South Africa, the company plans to further develop its business in the region. Over the past two decades, IMCD has focused on diversifying its product range, strengthening customer relationships, and providing technical support.

Joseph Juma expressed optimism about the growth potential of Africa’s lubricant additives market. “The lubricants additives market in Africa looks promising as, with new standards and efforts to ensure quality lubricants are in the market, the additives business is showing significant growth potential.”

Product Highlights and Market Adaptation

Avinash Kamuni, Lubrizol’s Technology Deployment Manager for Engine Oils in India, the Middle East, and Africa (IMEA) region, noted the surge in vehicle imports in Africa by a two-digit percentage, which increases the demand for lubricants and additives. He highlighted the need for lubricants meeting new low-sulfur specifications, which in turn boosts the demand for specific additives.

Lubrizol showcased key products for the East African market across the transportation and industrial sector. Sandeep Pawar, Lubrizol’s Product Manager for Small Engines & Passenger Car for IMEA Region, discussed the growth opportunities in the passenger car and small engines business segment, emphasizing the development of additives that meet various international specifications to simplify the selection process for oil marketers. “For the passenger car and small engines business segment, there are growth opportunities, especially given the types of cars being imported to Africa with lubricant requirements that demand a higher technology. We are positioning ourselves to be able to take care of this need. Vehicles imported from different regions have different specifications, creating a complex scenario, so we are working on developing appropriate additives for this market. By doing this, we simplify the situation for oil marketers so they can choose additives that meet different specifications and applications.”

Kamuni further explained, “To avoid a blender having to buy different additives to meet various lubricant specifications, we have developed products, which meets different specifications from API CH-4to API CI-4. Boosters can be added to the Lu-brizol primary additive to achieve different specifications., Lubrizol has products which can meet lubricant specifications, and are compatible with different base oils.”

>>Lubrizol is developing additives that meet various international specifications to simplify the selection process for oil marketers.

Tailored Solutions for Africa

Lubrizol has positioned itself to meet the dynamic market changes with a wide range of products. The heavy-duty segment has products that can meet specifications ranging from API CH-4to API CK-4, and these additives have OEM approvals. With new industry standards developing across Africa and globally, OEMs are trying diverse ways of achieving more efficiency in the engines. One of the options the OEMs have found is the TurboCharger Gasoline Direct Injection (TGDI) system.

TGDI engines’ more severe operating conditions have an impact on the lubricant. Higher levels of oxidative and thermal stability are required to prevent premature breakdown of the oil while the engine runs. More importantly, TGDI engines are susceptible to a unique phenomenon known as Low-Speed Pre-Ignition (LSPI). LSPI events are random and infrequent, but can cause very high-pressure spikes, loud knocking noises and sometimes catastrophic engine damage. The good news is that modern engine oils formulated with the right performance characteristics can help prevent LSPI.

At the conference, Lubrizol announced its efforts to manufacture additives specifically for the African continent. Fitton highlighted IMCD’s long-standing commitment to delivering quality products since 2003, working closely with Lubrizol to create products tailored to the continent’s unique needs.

Lubrizol additives have been well-received in East Africa since 2018. Juma praised the positive reception and IMCD’s role in supplying a wide range of specialty additives, adding significant value to local and independent blenders. “Lubrizol additives in East Africa have been positively received because IMCD supplies a range of these products, including specialty additives that blenders might use only a drum or two within a year. We are a source of additives for local and independent blenders. We are a value-adding company to our customers, and we are proud to partner with leading manufacturing Lubrizol, offering high quality products to our customers in East Africa.”

Comprehensive Support and Distribution

IMCD not only offers Lubrizol additives to the market; it provides extensive technical support, including data, samples, testing services, product marketing, and supply chain support. By understanding and reacting to challenges in the global supply chain, IMCD ensures customers have access to the products they need.

“For our product distribution, we are very flexible in accommodating customers. We have the stock locally available for the blenders who might need one or two drums of additives, and for clients who might require container loads, we can have the products directly shipped to them. The supply chain is critical for us, and we constantly work with our customers to ensure we can react to their specific needs.” said Joseph Juma.

Sandeep Pawar added, “Having direct presence in South Africa, has helped Lubrizol make in-roads in the African market, ensuring the products’ quality and supply. We also have a great salesforce, and our distribution partners, IMCD, are helping expand our footprint on the continent.”

The business model IMCD adopts in Africa is a distribution model, where it represents its principals and distributes directly to the end users who are the lubricant manufacturers.

In addition to the lubricant additives, IMCD offers complementary products, such as fuel additives, coolants, raw materials to make grease thickeners, dyes, Group IV (PAOs) and Group V and specialty products for the mining segment.

IMCD is committed developing its Lubricants and Energy business throughout the Africa region. Accelerating Progress for the future of the Lubricants and Energy Business. .