UK-based KIREI Chemical to produce lubricant additives in Russia

KIREI Chemical Ltd, a privately owned company based in London, UK, announced that it has started construction of a lubricant additives plant in Russia. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2023 or early 2024.

The lubricant additives plant is located in the Solnechnogorsk district of Moscow, at the  intersection of important transport arteries—the Central Ring Road and the M11 Highway Moscow-Saint  Petersburg. 

The company said it plans to produce a line of premium lubricant additive packages that meet the requirements of ACEA E9, E6, E7, A3/B4, C3, A5/B5 engine oils, API GL-4/GL-5 gear oils, HLP/HVLP hydraulic oils, turbine oils, compressor oils, heat transfer oils, etc.

With an investment of USD70 million, the company plans to produce up to 10,000 tons of additives to meet the demand of key lubricants manufacturers in Russia and countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). The company said it also has access to additive toll blending facilities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that can supply additive components “quickly”.

KIREU Chemical, which began operations in 1997, has offices in the UK, UAE, Turkey, Armenia, and Russia. Its representative office in Russia is based in Moscow.

The company has been supplying polyalphaolefins (PAOs) and esters, as well as additive packages and additive components globally. Main partners of the company include large blending outlets located in Russia and the CIS countries such as Gazpromneft, TAIF, Hill, Intesmo and about 50 independent lubricant blenders. 

According to Anton Guzenko, commercial director of KIREI Chemical in Russia and CIS countries, the  company began construction of the additive and lubricants blending facility as part of Russia’s import substitution strategy. 

“After the withdrawal of major manufacturers such as Infineum, Lubrizol, Chevron and Afton from the  Russian market, we see a big void in the production of premium additive packages for engine, gear and  industrial oils. KIREI Chemical expects to focus on manufacturing premium additive packages that meet  the latest API, ACEA, DIN and OEM specifications.”

Following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February this year, the so-called “Big Four” additive producers, which are based in the UK and the United States, had to close their operations in Russia due to sanctions imposed by the United States and its Western allies on Russia.