Welcome to issue 54 of Lubezine Magazine, featuring news, updates, and the latest happenings from the third quarter of 2025 in the lubricants industry. As usual, we have gathered news for you from all over the world and insightful articles relevant to the current developments in the lubricants industry, and with a focus on key markets, including Africa.
In the cover feature, we explore how the growing motorcycle market presents new opportunities and challenges for lubricant formulators. In 2024, the global two-wheeler sales reached almost 62 million, with sales in India and China accounting for more than 50%. In developed economies, consumers are opting for motorcycles due to the high costs associated with buying, running, and maintaining cars. Conversely, in growing economies, commuters are opting to use two-wheelers rather than walking or using public transport.
As two wheelers gain popularity for transport or leisure, lubricant formulators are developing lubricants that support extended catalyst life, maintain hardware durability and protection throughout their lifetime in the engine, while also providing improved fuel efficiency and rider experience. This presents a significant technical challenge, which becomes even more difficult to achieve as motorcycle oils shift to lower phosphorus levels and lower viscosity grades. Despite this, motorcycle lubricant marketers can take advantage of the opportunity to stand out and differentiate their products by offering proven low viscosity motorcycle-specific lubricants capable of addressing all of the key end-user needs.
For the 10 questions for lubricants professionals’ segment, we bring to you a seasoned professional in South Africa’s lubricants market, Unathi Fani, the Technical Advisory Manager for Engen. Having begun her career at Engen over 12 years ago as a Senior Lab Technician, Unathi has gone up the ranks to a managerial position. This role enables her to lead a team that is consistently engaged in providing technical support, driving product development, and ensuring compliance with key industry standards.
Unathi shares her journey in the lubricants industry and sheds light on the importance of technical advisory and after-sales support to lubricant users. She also tackles the unique formulation challenges facing the African continent and how Engen is positioning itself to cater to the different industries and their needs in South Africa. Unathi provides an overview of the current state of South Africa’s lubricant market, highlighting the opportunities and challenges present, and concludes with valuable advice for young professionals interested in the lubricants industry.
In addition, FUCHS Lubricants South Africa opened a new facility in Gqeberha to better serve the automotive, agriculture, industrial, and manufacturing sectors across the Eastern Cape. Discover this and more updates from the lubricant industry in this issue. .
Happy reading.